AHA Ensemble

Aha Ensemble is a Brisbane based collective of diverse performance artists who value authentic, immersive, participatory and contemporary movement practices. This dance-theatre ensemble was initiated by Daniele Constance originally in partnership with Access Arts to aid in developing artists who identify with disability. Since its inception in 2015, Aha Ensemble have presented performance works at: Supercell Dance Festival (Brisbane Powerhouse, 2019), Metro Arts (2019), Undercover Artist Festival Online (Film, shown online 2020), Anywhere Theatre Festival (Metro Arts, 2016), Undercover Artist Festival (Queensland Theatre Company, 2015); and completed two artistic residencies supported by Metro Arts in collaboration with Phluxus2 Dance Collective. Recently premiered original work Explain Normal (presented by Metro Arts and Daniele Constance in collaboration with Phluxus2 Dance Collective) was well received by audiences across a 10 day performance season. This work was supported by Brisbane City Council Creative Sparks, Arts Queensland and Metro Arts. 

Aha Ensemble explores the diverse uses, values and representations of the body; and challenges the norms of creating performance based works with differently abled bodies. Aha Ensemble believes true integration and inclusive practices comes with collaboration from a diverse range of artists, is disability-led; and truly employs collaborative practices. Together, we as diverse artists delve into a rigorous collaborative and artistic process to re-contextualise the boundaries of performance practice.

Aha performers’ individual practices include training and creating work across South East Queensland, nationally; and internationally, including New York, Portugal, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Korea. Ensemble members include: Kayah Guenther, Allycia Staples, Mitchell Runcie, Megan West, Tara Heard, Rebecca Dostal, Daniele Constance and Ruby Donohoe.

Daniele Constance is a participatory artist, performance maker and director with a strong focus on socially engaged art making practices. She creates artistic works that draw from direct experience and storytelling; using verbatim, documentary and contemporary performance practices. 

Daniele has trained with artistic companies including: Rawcus (Melbourne), Force Majeure (Sydney), one step at a time like this (Melbourne), Ping Chong+Company (NYC), which has given her a strong and diverse embodied performance language, understanding of and continued practice with: dance theatre, physical theatre, participatory art, site specific performance, public art and engagement, large scale and long standing community arts projects. Her performance practice is adaptive, responsive, advocates for new thinking and celebrates difference. 

Daniele has previously engaged in a formal mentorship (supported by Australia Council for the Arts) with Kate Sulan (Artistic Director, Rawcus) in inclusive performance practices, specifically supporting and developing her skills as a director and dance-theatre practitioner leading the Aha Ensemble. 

Daniele has presented independent performance works with Footscray Community Arts Centre, Festival of Live Art, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Testing Grounds, La Boite Theatre HWY, Metro Arts, Supercell Festival of Contemporary Dance, Queensland Poetry Festival and Undercover Arts Festival