13 Aug New breed 2019 – meet the new breed of Australian dance creators

MEDIA RELEASE
Published by Bangarra
14 August 2019

Sydney Dance Company and Carriageworks, in conjunction with The Balnaves Foundation, announce four Australian choreographers commissioned to create works for the acclaimed New Breed initiative that supports Australia’s next generation of choreographers.

Co-presented by Carriageworks and Sydney Dance Company – with the generous support of The Balnaves Foundation, New Breed 2019 will provide Australian choreographers Josh Mu (Melbourne), Lauren Langlois (Melbourne), Ariella Casu (Sydney) and Davide Di Giovanni (Sydney) with an invaluable opportunity to work with Australia’s leading contemporary dance company on a newly commissioned dance piece.

Showcasing a rich diversity of choreographic ideas, this talented group of emerging choreographers will create brand new pieces on members of Sydney Dance Company.

These four new works will comprise the New Breed 2019 season from 28 November to 7 December. The New Breed initiative made its debut in November 2014, supporting five emerging Australian choreographers through the commissioning and presentation of new dance work. Four sold out seasons in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 ensued.

The sixth instalment in the New Breed initiative will see Carriageworks, Sydney Dance Company and The Balnaves Foundation continue their commitment to the future of Australian contemporary dance, by supporting independent choreographers Josh Mu, Lauren Langlois, Ariella Casu and Davide Di Giovanni.

From August, these dance makers will benefit from the extensive support of all the departments of Sydney Dance Company in readiness for their premiere season at Carriageworks, later this year.

Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela says, “Australia is blessed with an extremely rich talent base of dynamic young dance creators. Yet in order for them to grow in their careers and reach their full potential, they need the opportunity to practice the chance to take their ideas and put them on the stage in front of an audience. New Breed is about giving the next generation of talented young artists the best possible
opportunity to experiment and create. The best dancers, the best production, marketing and publicity support, the best space to perform in, right here, at Carriageworks. I am delighted to introduce the four choreographers we have commissioned to create for our New Breed 2019 program. I have been personally inspired hearing of their ideas and I look forward to seeing how their works resonate with dance audiences.”

Carriageworks Acting Director Euan Upston says, “For the sixth year, Carriageworks is proud to collaborate with Sydney Dance Company and The Balnaves Foundation to support the development of new choreography by Australia’s best emerging talent. New Breed reflects Carriageworks’ commitment to present artist-led programs that reflect innovative, ambitious, and risk-taking contemporary work.”

Victoria Balnaves of The Balnaves Foundation says, “The Balnaves Foundation is delighted to continue to support Sydney Dance Company in engaging outstanding new choreographic talent through the 2019 New Breed program. We believe the New Breed program is a vital platform for independent and emerging choreographers in Australia. It empowers them to be courageous, creative and showcase their unique styles to new audiences, with the advantage of support from the Sydney Dance Company team and dancers. We are thrilled that New Breed continues to be an essential element of Sydney Dance Company’s annual program, and that the audience for New Breed works continue to grow both in Australia and overseas.”