Aspiring Servants of the King!

Phillippa Oakden-Patch  (director/choreographer/dancer)
Until her early twenties, Phillippa was involved at her local church, St Matthew's West Pennant Hills, co-ordinating music and dance groups.  Having studied ballet, character and jazz from an early age, she decided to pursue her teacher's certificate (RAD) after her HSC during two years of full time training.  Phillippa has since taught at many studios and seminars. 

Study for a BA (administration) was cut short when Phillippa took the plunge to freelance in the entertainment industry.  Phillippa returned to university to study contemporary dance and composition in which she particularly excelled at the Queensland University of Technology.  She then enjoyed a season with Tasdance (Jenny Kinder) and traveling to do classes with Leigh Warren and Dancers, 2 Dance Plus, Meryl Tankard’s ADT and Tasdance (Karen Pearlman and Richard Allen). 
Next she embarked on a musical theatre career. With Gordon Frost Productions, she toured Australia in Hello Dolly! and played Susie in Crazy For You.  With the International Management Group, she danced in My Fair Lady.  Phillippa has studied voice technique under Graham McIntosh and Janice Light. 
Currently studying at the University of Western Sydney for a Masters in Performance (dance), Phillippa teaches at Wesley Institute for Ministry and the Arts.  She is regularly asked to teach and perform at the COOMA and HILLSONG art and music conferences and at the Black Stump Art and Music Festival.  One of Phillippa’s greatest blessings in life is her husband, Andrew, who is youth minister at St James, Croydon. 

For her 1998 graduation work, Hannah co-produced the Transcending Whispers season at Newtown Theatre for which she choreographed And She Went Away. With reference to her work with the ask dance theatre Hannah agrees with a thought she read once: “It's better to light one small candle than curse the darkness”. 

In Dec 1999 Hannah married Steve Cooper who she met through ask. 

Having been subsequently employed by various churches and Christian organisations in the fields of music, youth ministry and outdoor education, Steve is now working hard in Sydney's music scene while teaching piano, guitar, bass and supervising a performing arts work-for-the-dole program (HotM).  Steve has been working with Phillippa for a little over a year while being involved in similar events: performing at Cooma (committee and faculty), Blackstumpand Hillsong.  Steve's creative boundaries continue to be stretched as he embarks with the fearless crew of ask. 
In Dec 1999 Steve married Hannah who she met through ask. 

What is growing, experimental and collaborative dance?
growing
 Projects initiated by ask will be placed alongside other contemporary arts groups with the aim of being viewed in this context to receive feedback from peers. One of asks aims is to notate and evaluate it's progress as it evolves as a professional group of artists working in the industry.

experimenting
 ask is about encouraging people to explore themselves and their beliefs in order to encounter truth. All projects initiated by ask will be NEW and ORIGINAL. ask is currently focusing on the logistics of being a contemporary arts group in Sydney, seeking to establish a suitable space and place in the industry. 

collaborating
ask's mandate is to create a supportive atmosphere within which people can grow artistically and spiritually. 
ask encourages a collaborative working process with all members given space to contribute and cultivate their own practice. 
 

Contact the director if you interested in supporting ask in these areas. 

Potential members and collaborators:
Contact the director for an appointment. An information pack is available with information about the vision, rehearsal and performance schedule and membership requirement details of the company.