Sydney Dance Company and Carriageworks, in conjunction with The Balnaves Foundation, announce five up-and-coming Australian choreographers commissioned to create new works for the acclaimed New Breed initiative that supports Australia’s next generation of dance-makers.
“How lucky are these five ’emerging’ choreographers to have the support and resources of the Sydney Dance Company and Carriageworks for their early efforts? Best of all, to have the wonderful SDC dancers to help bring their ideas to physical reality.” Sydney Morning Herald
Co-presented by two of Australia’s most dynamic arts organisations – Carriageworks and Sydney Dance Company – with the generous support of The Balnaves Foundation, New Breed 2017 will provide Australian choreographers Melanie Lane (Melbourne/Berlin), Tyrone Robinson (Perth), Petros Treklis (Melbourne), Cass Mortimer Eipper (Melbourne) and Nelson Earl (Sydney) with an invaluable opportunity to work with Australia’s finest contemporary dancers on a newly commissioned dance piece. Cass Mortimer Eipper and Nelson Earl will present the first New Breed co-creation.
The four new works created by the New Breed 2017 choreographers will be presented at Sydney’s premier multi-arts precinct, Carriageworks, from 30 November to 9 December 2017.
Sydney Dance Company and Carriageworks’ New Breed initiative made its debut in November 2014, supporting five young Australian choreographers through the creation and presentation of unique new dance works. Three sold out seasons in 2014, 2015 and 2016 ensued.
Following the New Breed program, Adelaide-based
New Breed 2014 choreographer Gabrielle Nankivell was the recipient of the 2015 Tanja Liedtke Fellowship for her work Wildebeest. Wildebeest was part of Sydney Dance Company’s stunning double bill Untamed in 2016 and was nominated for a Helpmann Award for Best Choreography in a Ballet, Dance or Physical Theatre Production in 2017.
The fourth instalment in the New Breed initiative, delivered during 2017, will see Carriageworks and Sydney Dance Company continue their commitment to the future of Australian contemporary dance, by supporting independent choreographers Melanie Lane, Tyrone Robinson, Petros Treklis, Cass Mortimer-Eipper and Nelson Earl. From August until December 2017, these dance makers will benefit from the extensive support from all departments of Australia’s leading contemporary dance company, in readiness for the showcase of their four new works from 30 November to 9 December 2017 at Carriageworks.
“… Sydney Dance Company’s New Breed has proven itself to be a wonderful laboratory for rising choreographic talents to test new ideas and stretch their choreographic muscles…With visionary support from The Balnaves Foundation, New Breed is a now an annual development showcase of new dance staged by SDC every December.” Daily Review
Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela says, “For almost half a century, Sydney Dance Company has been the home of contemporary dance in Australia, with a strong dedication to nurturing the next generation of Australian choreographic artists. We are proud to further contribute to this legacy through a unique program, and to invest in what we believe is the very foundation of the future of Australian contemporary dance – its creators.”
Carriageworks Director Lisa Havilah says, “Carriageworks’ ongoing partnership with Sydney Dance Company to present this unique program reaffirms our commitment to showcasing new work from Australia’s most innovative emerging choreographers, performed by some of the finest contemporary dancers in Australia. We are grateful for the support of The Balnaves Foundation in helping to create pathways for the next generation of independent choreographic talent.”
Victoria Balnaves of The Balnaves Foundation says, “The Balnaves Foundation has a strong focus on fostering the young talent we have in Australia and we are proud to support New Breed, in partnership with Sydney Dance Company and Carriageworks, for a further 3 years,” said Victoria Balnaves. “New Breed provides a platform for emerging choreographers to push the boundaries and explore their creativity in wild and imaginative ways, helping them to grow and inspire. It’s wonderful to see the recent success of previous New Breed choreographers and we have no doubt this year’s artists will be equally impressive.”