LET’S TALK raw dance company with andrew fee

Hey Guys - Today I am talking with Andrew Fee, the Brisbane based Artistic Director and Creator of Raw Dance Company to see how Raw Metal, the tap group he started in 1998 has changed over the years and where it will go in the future.

Christine: When the original company was created it was known as RAW METAL - how has it changed over the years and what have you added to the RAW EXPERIENCE?

Andrew: Raw Metal was originally inspired by “Hot Shoe” and the “Dogs”, but I wanted to create something new, fresh and innovative… something that would connect funk/hip-hop, tap and acrobatics into the one style.

In 2006, I became business partners with Jess Chambers and Raw Metal became Raw Dance Company. This change was inevitable given the company was much more than tap at this stage. Raw Dance Company gave us more flexibility with the type of work and shows we could produce and instantly expanded our appeal.

Christine: Combining tap with percussion, acrobatics, hip-hop, rap and humour was bound to be a success. Where did the inspiration come from?

Andrew: I started Raw Metal when I was 18. I had grown up learning old school styles of tap studying both L.G.T.D.A and C.S.T.D. So I looked to create something that was both technically challenging and fun for my dancers, my students and myself.

Christine: What performance projects do you have going at the moment?

Andrew: In the past Raw Dance Company has produced 10 major touring productions, some of which are still touring nationally and internationally to this date. Four of our most talented tappers are touring with Raw Metal and the Q150 Tour Shed to 11 locations in Queensland.

Project X is preparing for a European tour this September/ October. I was commissioned by Singapore’s Esplanade Theatre to direct and produce a show with the worlds no # 1 BBoy’s - “Last For One”.  Raw Dance Company & Last For One played to 3000 people on 27 & 28 October in Singapore.

And Bang! Crash! Tap! has been touring down the east coast of Australia for the last 4-months and will perform at two major festivals in Dubai in December.

Christine: Having toured internationally over the years, what elements of the show do you think make it popular with a variety of cultures? 

Andrew:  I think any creation that has just the right element of innovation; artistic integrity and an exciting live presence on stage can virtually tour worldwide as a success.  Audiences differ slightly everywhere, however in the end true innovation and a sense of excitement will always prevail.

Christine: If a performer out there is reading about RAW DANCE and wanting to audition, how would they go about that and what skills do they need?

Andrew: Raw auditions for talent every two years, however extremely talented dancers and performers are contracted for different productions and tours when needed. 

Basically I’m looking for a diverse dancer… someone that feels comfortable spinning on his or her head, then tapping out a rhythm and even performing a contemporary piece a few seconds later.

Christine: I noticed that you are starting a performing arts course in 2010. How will your course differ from those already available and what is its thrust?

Andrew: My business partner (Jess Chambers) and I have spent a lot of time creating a course that focuses on developing a professionally diverse dancer, instead of just ticking boxes. We will offer more dance styles than any other Australian course, as well as focusing on building professional career paths for dancers within the industry. 

Raw has even developed a program that will see our dancers touring and performing as apart of the training program. 

Raw Dance will also accept one of our students into a paid 12-month contract with Raw Dance Company, and this is something we wish to continue each year. You can find out more at rawdancecompany.com/fulltime

Christine: Finally – what is next for RAW DANCE? And what is your vision for the future?

Andrew: Raw Dance has just bought our own Venue in Brisbane, where we will base our operations.

There are plenty of exciting projects, productions and tours planned for the future, so keep checking rawdancecompany.com for all of our updates!

So – there you go! If RAW DANCE sounds like something you would like to check out then go to their website for more info at www.rawdancecompany.com

And if you are looking for some cool new tap moves and heaps of technical challenges check out my TAPATAK OZ DVDS at www.tapatakoz.com.au

Till next time – Happy Tapping!!

Christine