Elizabeth Cameron Dalman celebrates 50 years of dance in new production L

She plays a major role in her latest dance theatre work, L, which showcases her 50 years in the industry.

"It's quite an honour to put it up there," she said.

"But I also tried with my story to make it every person's story. [We] all have things to celebrate and things to lament."

L represents the Roman numeral 50, and is the first letter in Dalman's nickname, Liz.

Dalman has seen a lot of change in contemporary dance.

"In the '60s, contemporary dance was very new. People in Australia had never seen [it] before. Out of those rebellious years young people were very excited about learning something because a lot of things were happening in the social and political arena as well," she said.

The 21st century has also brought a lot of changes with the advancement of technology, as well as the fusion of cultures and disciplines, which, she says, have influenced her.

During rehearsals on Tuesday, Dalman was directing and dancing with the cast.

Asked what keeps her going, Dalman's answer is simple.

"Dance is the love of my life, always. But also the young people keep me going. They're thirsty to know the historical work and . . . dance growth. I had wonderful teachers and I feel like I'm just a channel for all that wonderful information and experience," she said.

L will also travel to Dalman's home town, Adelaide. She was director of the Australian Dance Theatre in the city for 10 years.

"I feel like I'm taking things back home that they haven't seen in 40 years," she said.

After her tour with L, Dalman will head to Sydney to research movement for senior dancers to keep them in the industry longer. She is then off to Taiwan to teach at the National Taiwan University of Arts for a semester.

L will be performed at The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, on Wednesday at 7.30pm, with a special performance at 10.30am.

A performance will be held on Saturday at the Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre.