Laura Boynes is an award winning independent dance artist based in Boorloo/Perth, working nationally and internationally as a performer, choreographer, teacher and movement director.
Laura’s practice is centered on presenting social, cultural and political happenings as they intersect with individual experience. Her practice utilises the body as metaphor and as a meeting point for investigating ideas of human resilience, social responsibility, adaptability and ecological change. She uses performance as a tool to inspire critical thought and reflection on the contemporary world. Collaboration is an integral part of these creations through the integration of live sound, installation and visuals. Working in a multidisciplinary environment enables the formation of new landscapes and constructs providing a realm for her material to sway between narrative and abstraction.
As a dancer Laura has performed nationally and internationally in dance, theatre, experimental music, site-specific and opera works since graduating from LINK Dance Company in 2007. From 2009-2013 Laura performed for Buzz Dance Theatre. In 2013 she acted as Artistic Associate alongside Artistic Director Cadi McCarthy choreographing and co-directing Look the Other Way.
Laura has choreographed multiple short and full-length works independently. Commissions include Perth Festival, Fremantle Biennale, LINK Dance Company, CO;3 Youth Ensemble, Buzz Dance Theatre and the WA Academy of Performing Arts.
As a Movement Director Laura has worked for Black Swan State Theatre Company, Lost and Found Opera, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, Renegade Productions, Variegated Productions, Steam Work Arts, The Last Great Hunt and Barking Gecko Theatre Company on Operas, Musicals and Theatre works.
From 2015-2020 Laura worked for DADAA on experimental arts projects Digital Dialogues 2015/2016, Mixed Reality 2017 and Experience Collider 2018/19 collaborating with over 40 artists with mixed abilities on a weekly basis. Laura worked with Julia Hales and Black Swan State Theatre company as a movement director and artist support on ‘You Know We Belong Together’which continues to tour internationally and continues to work with artists through MY STUDIO program at MY PLACE. Outcomes have seen artists showcased in public art exhibitions, perform to live audiences, screened in film festivals and broadcast over the Internet at regular intervals.
Laura’s films have been shown in Reeldance, Electrofringe, (Australia) Cinedans (Amsterdam) and two of her films remain permanently in the Reeldance Moving Image Collection.
AWARDS
2024 -Winner- Performing Arts WA Award - Outstanding Ensemble - Equations of a Falling Body
Winner-Performing Arts WA Award- Oustanding Contemporary or Experimental Performance, Equations of a Falling Body
Nominated- Performing Arts WA Award- Equations of a Falling Body - Best Production, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Sound Design, Outstanding Composition or Arranging
2023 - Present - Inaugural recipient of the STRUT Dance/CO:3 Australia Fellowship
2019- Winner- Australian Dance Award, Outstanding Achievement in Independent dance, WONDER WOMAN
2018 - Nominated - Performing Arts WA, Best Production, Best New Work, Best Performer, Best Costume Design, WONDER WOMAN
2017 - Shortlisted- Australian Dance Award, Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Dark Matter - PRAXIS
2017 - Nominated - Performing Arts Awards WA, Choreography, Selkie
2016 - Most Outstanding Dancer (Dance Australia Critics Choice) for Sous Vide presented at the Adelaide Fringe Festival (2015)
2014 - Winner - Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth and Community Dance. Look the Other Way - Buzz Dance Theatre - in collaboration with Cadi McCarthy