WELCOME TO INDANCE

We are thrilled to present our second program of INDance, connecting independent contemporary dancemakers to Sydney audiences.

Following the highly successful inaugural 2022 season, we are so excited to be able to continue this unique opportunity to witness more innovative works from the independent sector in our intimate studio space, the Neilson Studio at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. This continues our commitment to promoting and supporting Australian artists, their collaborators and the works they produce.

This exciting succinct program explores diverse, abstract, and innovative concepts, travelling across the dynamic boundaries of dance, and reflecting the four distinct parts of the vibrant contemporary Australian landscape. Audiences will experience a breadth of creative expression by the rich choreographic voices of Rachel Arianne Ogle, Kimberley Parkin, Ryuichi Fujimura, Jasmin Sheppard and their incredible teams of collaborators. This season of INDance was curated by Rafael and an independent panel, and we would like to thank them for their support in this process.

Over three nights each week, you will join us in traversing different performative styles, moods and themes, through four unique and innovative dance works.

In Week One, we are excited to present two Western Australian powerhouses. To begin, choreographer Rachel Arianne Ogle wields her technical and extremely physical style to draw immense unseen forces in the bodies of four dancers. Inspired by tectonic shifts, gravitational torsion and states of emotional rupture, precipice is a dance of abandon and precarious control. This is followed by Cry Baby from Parkin Projects, where audiences will be immersed in a choreographic playground resembling a 1970’s rock-show spectacular or their own bedroom. Head banging, hip thrusting content guaranteed.

In Week Two, both works explore issues of identity and the external lens. A double bill from Ryuichi Fujimura, HERE NOW will be performed solo, examining the desire to perform and the perception of time. And our final work, The Complication of Lyrebirds, was created by contemporary dancer, choreographer and director, Jasmin Sheppard, a Tagalaka Aboriginal woman with Irish, Chinese and Hungarian ancestry. The work is designed to break away from the social expectations of what it means to look or sound Aboriginal.

We thank The Neilson Foundation for their visionary investment in this initiative, fostering the development and maintenance of a flourishing landscape for independent dance in Sydney.

Lou Oppenheim Rafael Bonachela Executive Director Artistic Director

Contents

WEEK ONE • PAGE 7

PRECIPICE • PAGE 8–13

CRY BABY • PAGE 14–19

WEEK 2 • PAGE 17

HERE NOW (DOUBLE BILL) • PAGE 22-27

THE COMPLICATION OF LYREBIRDS • PAGE 28–32

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • PAGE 32

Week One

THURSDAY 17 TO SATURDAY 19 AUGUST

6.30PM - PRECIPICE BY RACHEL ARIANNE OGLE

8.15PM - CRY BABY BY PARKIN PROJECTS precipice began its life as an exploration of various physical states in opposition. It very quickly grew to take on a voice and direction of its own, to transcend my initial ideas and delve into territory encompassing grander concepts of the universe. The infinite space in which we exist and to which we are intimately interconnected, and the invisible forces that are constantly at play within this, inspire a sense of awe beyond the realm of my conception. Through considering our place in this immense system, we unveil a profound vulnerability and fragility that is both ephemeral and enigmatic. precipice had its premiere season at the Studio Underground at the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia in August 2014. It was my first full length work, and represents a pivotal moment in my career. It is a rare privilege as an independent choreographer to have the opportunity to revisit a work in repertoire. I was fortunate to revisit this work firstly in 2019 with a return season in Perth; and now again in 2023 in this, its first national presentation. Thank you to Sydney Dance Company for breathing new life into precipice nine years after its premiere season, through programming this work in INDance 2023.

- Rachel Arianne Ogle

Choreography Rachel Arianne Ogle

Performers Storm Helmore, Tyrone Robinson, Yilin Kong, Imanuel Dado

Composer Luke Smiles / motion laboratories

Lighting Design Benjamin Cisterne

Costume Design Colleen Sutherland

Costume Kristy Armstrong

Construction

Costume Nicole Marrington Technician

Production Peter Young Assistant

Producer Rachel Arianne Ogle

Auspice Auspicious Arts

This project has been assisted by the Australian government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Western Australia; City of Perth; and STRUT Dance.