Expressions showcases Generation Next
Emerging and established local and international choreographers will take centre stage in Brisbane from March10 - 17 when Expressions Dance Company (EDC) presents "Converge".
Four vastly different choreographers - Stephanie Lake, Richard Causer and Jake McLarnon from Australia and Xu Yiming from China - will build daring new works on EDC’s award-winning company of professional contemporary dancers and collaborate with emerging composers from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU).
EDC’s Artistic Director, Natalie Weir, says that "Converge" will provide an important opportunity for the next generation of dance makers to be supported by a professional dance company to develop their unique artistic perspectives.
'It's vital that emerging choreographers are provided with open platforms to showcase their work, confident in the knowledge that their vision is being faithfully and sensitively interpreted by world-class dance artists," she says.
'Two of our local choreographers, Jake McLarnon and Richard Causer, both EDC ensemble members, will also work with composers from QCGU to create new music for their pieces. An ensemble of 12 musicians, also from QCGU, will perform the works live on stage in the stunning conservatorium theatre.'
Richard Causer, who has been nominated for both Helpmann and Australian Dance Awards and has created works for major companies in Australia, UK and Singapore, will present a thought-provoking work exploring identity, judgment and the aliases we all create to protect ourselves. Making his EDC choreographic debut, Jake McLarnon has created a piece is inspired by "Isochronism", a conceptual artwork by renowned Australian artist Jasper Hills tracing patterns of time and movement through abstract spaces.
Internationally acclaimed Chinese guest choreographer and dancer Xu Yiming features in "Converge" as part of EDC’s Chinese Australia Dance Exchange Project, a five-year partnership enabling the creation of collaborative new works, residencies, exchanges and tours. Xu Yiming created Waiting Alone for EDC's sold out 2017 season of "Propel" and also guest performed in Behind Closed Doors.
Stephanie Lake, one of Australia's most respected and awarded choreographers, will bring her gutsy physicality and intellectual rigor to "Converge".
'Stephanie created a stunning dance work for EDC's sold out "Mozart Airborne" season (with Opera Queensland) in 2017. She's a brave choreographer whose work is never less than heart-stopping, articulate and visceral. Stephanie's work is important and to see it interpreted by our incredible ensemble will be thrilling for audiences,' Weir says.
'Converge' will run from March 10 - 17 at the Conservatorium Theatre, Griffith University,140 Grey Street, South Brisbane.
See expressionsdancecompany.org.au/edc