She had formerly been a professional dancer in the Australian Dance Theatre until six months after her MS diagnosis, when she was aged 30, and had to start using a wheelchair.
[6] Around the same time, dancer and choreographer Roz Hervey joined as creative producer, remaining in the position until her death in November 2024.
Restless has an extensive training program for all ages,[1] based on founder Sally Chance's dance method.
[12][13][14] From 4 September to 2 October 2020, Restless performed "Seeing Through Darkness", inspired by Expressionist artist Georges Rouault, at the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA).
Six dancers were accompanied by an original score by Hilary Kleinig and Emily Tulloch (of the Zephyr Quartet[16]), with lighting designed by Geoff Cobham (artistic director of Patch Theatre) and Meg Wilson.
[17][18] In March 2022 a new work created by Ryan based on her and the other dancers' own experiences, Exposed, premiered at Adelaide Festival in 2022.
It was performed in the inaugural Frame Biennial of Dance in Melbourne early in 2023,[2] before opening at the Sydney Opera House on 30 August 2023,[19] It was described by Ryan as "an ode to vulnerability and the power of asking for help".