COMPANY :
Strings Attached
Strings Attached is an exceptional aerial-focused physical theatre group that originated in New South Wales and was founded by Alejandro Rolandi and Lee-Anne Litton in 2006. This dynamic company thrives on project-based collaborations, bringing together artists who share a common desire to create and perform innovative physical theatre that challenges and transforms audiences, prompting reflections on the mysteries of human nature.
Central to Strings Attached's philosophy is the development of a strong focus on training artists in the company's methodologies, fostering a safe and collaborative culture that empowers its artists. The company places great importance on personal relationships, carefully selecting producers, collaborators, and performers based on the long-term connections Alejandro and Lee-Anne have cultivated over the course of the company's history.
In 2015, Strings Attached expanded its operations and established a base in the Hunter region of New South Wales, situated on the lands of the Wonnarua Nation. This move aimed to inspire the development of new and unique methodologies surrounding the use of originally designed apparatuses and to offer residential training programs for artists seeking to deepen their craft in performance making. While rooted in the Hunter region, Strings Attached maintains a strong connection to Sydney, regularly offering training sessions at the Annandale Creative Arts Centre, in addition to collaborating with various institutions and organizations.
In 2019, Strings Attached received a commission from The Real Festival in Penrith to collaborate with Younnes Bachir and create "All That We Are (Todo lo que Somos)," a remarkable large-scale aerial spectacle. The performance featured 30 members of the Western Sydney community, as well as trained aerialists, captivating audiences as they performed above the Nepean River. Since its inception in 2006, Strings Attached has collaborated with both national and international companies, including Younnes Bachir (Spain), Touch Compass Dance Company (New Zealand), Cie Bivouac (France), Backbone Youth Company (Brisbane, QLD), and Circus Maxima (Mandurah, WA). The company has presented their works at various prestigious festivals, such as the Hoopla Festival, Rocks Village Bizarre, Underbelly Arts Festival, Sydney Fringe Festival, Backbone Festival, Carriageworks program, and Pact Theatre, reaching an estimated audience of over 100,000 people.
2022 marks a significant milestone for Strings Attached, as it celebrates a decade since the premiere of its first major funded work, "A Return to the Trees," at Carriageworks. This groundbreaking production transcended cultures and socio-economic groups by dismantling accepted social environments and immersing audiences in an unfamiliar place where survival surpasses custom. Set in the lowest echelons of a futuristic society where human expansion has devoured the Earth's surface, the performance explored the essence of human existence. This project emerged from three years of intensive investigation during which Strings Attached developed its own theatrical vocabulary, performed within structures constructed from steel tubes and supported by aerial systems such as bungee ropes and harnesses.
As Strings Attached embarks on the second half of 2023, audiences eagerly anticipate what Lee-Anne and Alejandro have in store as they return to the trees, continuing to push artistic boundaries and captivate audiences with their innovative and thought-provoking performances.
Central to Strings Attached's philosophy is the development of a strong focus on training artists in the company's methodologies, fostering a safe and collaborative culture that empowers its artists. The company places great importance on personal relationships, carefully selecting producers, collaborators, and performers based on the long-term connections Alejandro and Lee-Anne have cultivated over the course of the company's history.
In 2015, Strings Attached expanded its operations and established a base in the Hunter region of New South Wales, situated on the lands of the Wonnarua Nation. This move aimed to inspire the development of new and unique methodologies surrounding the use of originally designed apparatuses and to offer residential training programs for artists seeking to deepen their craft in performance making. While rooted in the Hunter region, Strings Attached maintains a strong connection to Sydney, regularly offering training sessions at the Annandale Creative Arts Centre, in addition to collaborating with various institutions and organizations.
In 2019, Strings Attached received a commission from The Real Festival in Penrith to collaborate with Younnes Bachir and create "All That We Are (Todo lo que Somos)," a remarkable large-scale aerial spectacle. The performance featured 30 members of the Western Sydney community, as well as trained aerialists, captivating audiences as they performed above the Nepean River. Since its inception in 2006, Strings Attached has collaborated with both national and international companies, including Younnes Bachir (Spain), Touch Compass Dance Company (New Zealand), Cie Bivouac (France), Backbone Youth Company (Brisbane, QLD), and Circus Maxima (Mandurah, WA). The company has presented their works at various prestigious festivals, such as the Hoopla Festival, Rocks Village Bizarre, Underbelly Arts Festival, Sydney Fringe Festival, Backbone Festival, Carriageworks program, and Pact Theatre, reaching an estimated audience of over 100,000 people.
2022 marks a significant milestone for Strings Attached, as it celebrates a decade since the premiere of its first major funded work, "A Return to the Trees," at Carriageworks. This groundbreaking production transcended cultures and socio-economic groups by dismantling accepted social environments and immersing audiences in an unfamiliar place where survival surpasses custom. Set in the lowest echelons of a futuristic society where human expansion has devoured the Earth's surface, the performance explored the essence of human existence. This project emerged from three years of intensive investigation during which Strings Attached developed its own theatrical vocabulary, performed within structures constructed from steel tubes and supported by aerial systems such as bungee ropes and harnesses.
As Strings Attached embarks on the second half of 2023, audiences eagerly anticipate what Lee-Anne and Alejandro have in store as they return to the trees, continuing to push artistic boundaries and captivate audiences with their innovative and thought-provoking performances.
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS :
Lee-Anne Litton
Lee-Anne Litton is a NSW based performance maker, physical performer and collaborator originally from Mandurah, Western Australia who has created and performed in works within the realms of dance, circus and physical theatre.
With more than decade of professional experience, she cut her teeth with Legs on the Wall in 2005 and stepped into the role as Co-Artistic Director 2016/17. Holding the reins of the company led to the premiere/presentations of ‘Highly Sprung” apart of Art and About at Martin Place 2017, Bleach Festival 2017 , Sydney Festival 2018, Red Earth Festival 2018 and Santiago Mil 2019. Lee-Anne’s strong connection passion for the Sydney physical theatre community led her to drive the vision for the parachute grounds that LOTW manages and spear head the programs such as Spark incubation residency’s and Parachute Festival, to uphold Create NSW vision for the Lilyfield site.
2006 Lee-Anne was a co founder of Physical Theatre Company Strings Attached, leading them to their first major work “A Return to the Trees” 2012.
Other works include: (2006) “The Foreign Installation” Pact Theatre. (2007) “The Experiment” a quirky show set entirely inside a big house, where the audience was immersed in the play, Sydney Australia. (2008) “Impermanence” as part of the Feet First emerging artist program, LOTW. “Sound in Motion” CarriageWorks. “2nd Storey” at Underbelly Public Arts Lab Festival, CarriageWorks. “The Ivory Tower” at Peat’s Ridge Festival. (2009 -2011) “The Ivory Tower” at Hoopla Festival, Darling Harbor. “OJO” Underbelly Public Arts Lab Festival, Cockatoo Island. (2012) “Aerial Dance Collaboration” with Touch Compass Co, Auckland New Zealand. “Levity” Platform Shorts, ACAC. (2014) “In Common” Platform Shorts, ACAC. “Opposite Tangents” Platform Shorts, ACAC. “Time and Landscape” Platform Shorts, ACAC. (2015) “Air Bourne” Village Bizarre, The Rocks. “Stuffocation” Creative Conversations Earth Hour, ACAC. (2016) “Unleashed” Seed Residency Program, Perth Western Australia. (2018) “Aerial Dance Collaboration” with French Company Cie Bivouac, Cirkidz Adelaide. (2019) “All That We Are “ that saw 30 Western Sydney Community members and trained aerialists performing in a large-scale aerial spectacle for The Real festival, Penrith. (2022) 'No place in a Gallery' apart of Monumental (working title) at Art Gallery of NSW curated by Latai Taumoepeau & Brian Fuata, produced by Intimate Spectacle and ‘Oscillate’, an aerial dance piece commissioned by Academy of Music & Performing Arts (AMPA), Bachelor of Dance Program apart of Elevation showcase at NIDA playhouse.
From 2010 Lee-Anne has been a collaborating artist with Immersive Physical Theatre Company Stalker leading her to perform nationally and Internationally in works “Encoded”, “Pixel Mountain”, “Creature: Dot and the Kangaroo”, "Mountain", “Frameshift” both as choreographer and performer.
Lee-Anne’s curiosity in the line between aerial performance and dance theatre, influenced by her strong investigation and passion for Contact Improvisation, informs her work both on the ground and in the air, giving her the opportunity to choreograph aerial-dance scenes for several large scale productions, both nationally and internationally. She has nurtured her interest in the poetical and expressive possibilities that arise from this combination, developing a strong technical practice that is reflected in her work as well as the classes she regularly teaches.
Lee-Anne has developed a strong technical practice that is reflected in her work as well as on the classes she regularly teaches.
Her teaching credits include; Strings Attached, Stalker, LOTW, Force Majeure, Aerialize, Touch Compass Co, Dance Integrated Australia, InsideOutside Theatre, SYDC PPY, ACPE, USNW, VCA, NIDA.
Lee-Anne is passionate about the framework of interdisciplinary thinking and creativity in regards to the challenge of climate and social change.
With more than decade of professional experience, she cut her teeth with Legs on the Wall in 2005 and stepped into the role as Co-Artistic Director 2016/17. Holding the reins of the company led to the premiere/presentations of ‘Highly Sprung” apart of Art and About at Martin Place 2017, Bleach Festival 2017 , Sydney Festival 2018, Red Earth Festival 2018 and Santiago Mil 2019. Lee-Anne’s strong connection passion for the Sydney physical theatre community led her to drive the vision for the parachute grounds that LOTW manages and spear head the programs such as Spark incubation residency’s and Parachute Festival, to uphold Create NSW vision for the Lilyfield site.
2006 Lee-Anne was a co founder of Physical Theatre Company Strings Attached, leading them to their first major work “A Return to the Trees” 2012.
Other works include: (2006) “The Foreign Installation” Pact Theatre. (2007) “The Experiment” a quirky show set entirely inside a big house, where the audience was immersed in the play, Sydney Australia. (2008) “Impermanence” as part of the Feet First emerging artist program, LOTW. “Sound in Motion” CarriageWorks. “2nd Storey” at Underbelly Public Arts Lab Festival, CarriageWorks. “The Ivory Tower” at Peat’s Ridge Festival. (2009 -2011) “The Ivory Tower” at Hoopla Festival, Darling Harbor. “OJO” Underbelly Public Arts Lab Festival, Cockatoo Island. (2012) “Aerial Dance Collaboration” with Touch Compass Co, Auckland New Zealand. “Levity” Platform Shorts, ACAC. (2014) “In Common” Platform Shorts, ACAC. “Opposite Tangents” Platform Shorts, ACAC. “Time and Landscape” Platform Shorts, ACAC. (2015) “Air Bourne” Village Bizarre, The Rocks. “Stuffocation” Creative Conversations Earth Hour, ACAC. (2016) “Unleashed” Seed Residency Program, Perth Western Australia. (2018) “Aerial Dance Collaboration” with French Company Cie Bivouac, Cirkidz Adelaide. (2019) “All That We Are “ that saw 30 Western Sydney Community members and trained aerialists performing in a large-scale aerial spectacle for The Real festival, Penrith. (2022) 'No place in a Gallery' apart of Monumental (working title) at Art Gallery of NSW curated by Latai Taumoepeau & Brian Fuata, produced by Intimate Spectacle and ‘Oscillate’, an aerial dance piece commissioned by Academy of Music & Performing Arts (AMPA), Bachelor of Dance Program apart of Elevation showcase at NIDA playhouse.
From 2010 Lee-Anne has been a collaborating artist with Immersive Physical Theatre Company Stalker leading her to perform nationally and Internationally in works “Encoded”, “Pixel Mountain”, “Creature: Dot and the Kangaroo”, "Mountain", “Frameshift” both as choreographer and performer.
Lee-Anne’s curiosity in the line between aerial performance and dance theatre, influenced by her strong investigation and passion for Contact Improvisation, informs her work both on the ground and in the air, giving her the opportunity to choreograph aerial-dance scenes for several large scale productions, both nationally and internationally. She has nurtured her interest in the poetical and expressive possibilities that arise from this combination, developing a strong technical practice that is reflected in her work as well as the classes she regularly teaches.
Lee-Anne has developed a strong technical practice that is reflected in her work as well as on the classes she regularly teaches.
Her teaching credits include; Strings Attached, Stalker, LOTW, Force Majeure, Aerialize, Touch Compass Co, Dance Integrated Australia, InsideOutside Theatre, SYDC PPY, ACPE, USNW, VCA, NIDA.
Lee-Anne is passionate about the framework of interdisciplinary thinking and creativity in regards to the challenge of climate and social change.
Alejandro Rolandi
Alejandro is a multi talented artist, maker, director, choreographer, multimedia designer and creative rigger originally from Buenos Aries Argentina.
With more than decade of professional experience, Alejandro has worked with companies like Immersive Physical Theatre Company Stalker, Branch Nebula, Zen Zen Zo, LOTW, Sydney Dance Company, Shaun Parker, Nick Power, Force Majeure, Adelaide Festival, VIVID, ACPE, NIDA and the dance department of the UNSW.
Alejandro was a co founder of Physical Theatre Company Strings Attached, leading them to their first major work “A Return to the Trees” 2012.
Other works include: “The Foreign Installation” 2006, “The Experiment” 2007, “Impermanence”, “Sound in Motion” and “2nd Storey” 2008, “The Ivory Tower”, “OJO” 2009 -2011, “Levity” 2012, “In Common”, “Opposite Tangents” and “Time and Landscape” 2014, “Air Bourne”, “Stuffocation” 2015, “Unleashed” 2016, “Aerial Dance Collaboration” with French Company Cie Bivouac, 2018. (2019) “All That We Are “ that saw 30 Western Sydney Community members and trained aerialists performing in a large-scale aerial spectacle for The Real festival, Penrith. (2022) 'No place in a Gallery' apart of Monumental (working title) at Art Gallery of NSW curated by Latai Taumoepeau & Brian Fuata, produced by Intimate Spectacle.
From 2010 Lee-Anne has been a collaborating artist with Immersive Physical Theatre Company Stalker leading her to perform nationally and Internationally in works “Stultitia Humanum Est” “Encoded”, “Pixel Mountain”, “Creature: Dot and the Kangaroo”, “Frameshift”.
Direction credits include:
(2010), Alejandro was apart of Stalker Theatre's creative team for there Colombian cross-cultural project in collaboration with the Bogotá Theatre Festival creating “Stultitia Humanum Est”.
(2011), presented two Strings Attached works “The Ivory Tower” at Hoopla Festival and “OJO” at Underbelly Arts Festival.
(2012) Alejandro directed and presented Strings Attached work “A Return to the Trees” at CarriageWorks.
Set Design credits include:
"The Ivory Tower" (Strings Attached), "A Return to the Trees" (Strings Attached), "Barrio"(Adelaide Festival), "Frameshift" (Stalker), "Highly Sprung" (LOTW), "Barrio"(VIVID Festival).
Multimedia and LED design credits include:
Virtual costumes "Encoded"(Stalker), LED costumes "Pixel Mountain"(Stalker), LED costume "Rings of Fire" (John Douglas), LED lights "SKIN" (Branch Nebula)
Creative Rigger credits include:
“Tale Salmanori” (LOTW),“Encoded”(STALKER), “Pixel Mountain”(STALKER), “Creature: Dot and the Kangaroo”(STALKER), “Frameshift” (STALKER)
Production Manager credits include:
"Concrete and Bones", "Demo" (Branch Nebula), “Tale Salmanori” (LOTW), "Between Tiny Cities" , "Two Crews" (Nick Power).
He has an ongoing investigation and choreographic research in Contact Improvisation that is constantly informing his choreographic practice and work as well as his classes. His teaching credits include; Strings Attached, Stalker, LOTW, Bangarra, SYDC, Force Majeure, ZenZenZo, NIDA, USNW, VCA, ACPE, Touch Compass Co.
With more than decade of professional experience, Alejandro has worked with companies like Immersive Physical Theatre Company Stalker, Branch Nebula, Zen Zen Zo, LOTW, Sydney Dance Company, Shaun Parker, Nick Power, Force Majeure, Adelaide Festival, VIVID, ACPE, NIDA and the dance department of the UNSW.
Alejandro was a co founder of Physical Theatre Company Strings Attached, leading them to their first major work “A Return to the Trees” 2012.
Other works include: “The Foreign Installation” 2006, “The Experiment” 2007, “Impermanence”, “Sound in Motion” and “2nd Storey” 2008, “The Ivory Tower”, “OJO” 2009 -2011, “Levity” 2012, “In Common”, “Opposite Tangents” and “Time and Landscape” 2014, “Air Bourne”, “Stuffocation” 2015, “Unleashed” 2016, “Aerial Dance Collaboration” with French Company Cie Bivouac, 2018. (2019) “All That We Are “ that saw 30 Western Sydney Community members and trained aerialists performing in a large-scale aerial spectacle for The Real festival, Penrith. (2022) 'No place in a Gallery' apart of Monumental (working title) at Art Gallery of NSW curated by Latai Taumoepeau & Brian Fuata, produced by Intimate Spectacle.
From 2010 Lee-Anne has been a collaborating artist with Immersive Physical Theatre Company Stalker leading her to perform nationally and Internationally in works “Stultitia Humanum Est” “Encoded”, “Pixel Mountain”, “Creature: Dot and the Kangaroo”, “Frameshift”.
Direction credits include:
(2010), Alejandro was apart of Stalker Theatre's creative team for there Colombian cross-cultural project in collaboration with the Bogotá Theatre Festival creating “Stultitia Humanum Est”.
(2011), presented two Strings Attached works “The Ivory Tower” at Hoopla Festival and “OJO” at Underbelly Arts Festival.
(2012) Alejandro directed and presented Strings Attached work “A Return to the Trees” at CarriageWorks.
Set Design credits include:
"The Ivory Tower" (Strings Attached), "A Return to the Trees" (Strings Attached), "Barrio"(Adelaide Festival), "Frameshift" (Stalker), "Highly Sprung" (LOTW), "Barrio"(VIVID Festival).
Multimedia and LED design credits include:
Virtual costumes "Encoded"(Stalker), LED costumes "Pixel Mountain"(Stalker), LED costume "Rings of Fire" (John Douglas), LED lights "SKIN" (Branch Nebula)
Creative Rigger credits include:
“Tale Salmanori” (LOTW),“Encoded”(STALKER), “Pixel Mountain”(STALKER), “Creature: Dot and the Kangaroo”(STALKER), “Frameshift” (STALKER)
Production Manager credits include:
"Concrete and Bones", "Demo" (Branch Nebula), “Tale Salmanori” (LOTW), "Between Tiny Cities" , "Two Crews" (Nick Power).
He has an ongoing investigation and choreographic research in Contact Improvisation that is constantly informing his choreographic practice and work as well as his classes. His teaching credits include; Strings Attached, Stalker, LOTW, Bangarra, SYDC, Force Majeure, ZenZenZo, NIDA, USNW, VCA, ACPE, Touch Compass Co.
