Sydney Dance Company

Sydney Dance Company
Name	Sydney Dance Company
Founded	1979
Founder	Graeme Murphy; Janet Karin
Artistic director	Rafael Bonachela
Location	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Home venue	Roslyn Packer Theatre; Sydney Opera House
Genre	Contemporary dance; Modern dance

Sydney Dance Company is an Australian contemporary dance ensemble based in Sydney, New South Wales. Founded in 1979, the company developed a national and international reputation through collaborations with choreographers, composers, designers, and visual artists from institutions such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Theatre Company, and the Australian Ballet. Its work has toured to festivals including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and venues like the Sadler's Wells Theatre and the Lincoln Center.

History

The company's origins trace to the creative partnership of choreographer Graeme Murphy and dancer Janet Karin in the late 1970s, emerging alongside institutions such as the Australian Ballet School, the National Institute of Dramatic Art, and the University of Sydney. In the 1980s and 1990s the company forged links with cultural organizations including the Australia Council for the Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, and broadcast partners such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Tours in the 1990s included engagements at the Royal Opera House and collaboration with performing arts festivals like the Adelaide Festival and the Perth International Arts Festival. Leadership transitions have connected figures associated with the Victorian College of the Arts and the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Under successive directors the company adapted to funding frameworks set by bodies such as the City of Sydney and state arts agencies, while maintaining relationships with venues like the Roslyn Packer Theatre and Sydney Town Hall.

Artistic Direction and Repertoire

Artistic direction has involved collaborations with choreographers, composers, and designers from institutions including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Bangarra Dance Theatre, and the Melbourne Theatre Company. The company's repertoire has ranged from narrative works influenced by playwrights linked to the Belvoir St Theatre to abstract pieces presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Major creative partners have included composers associated with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, visual artists represented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and costume designers who have worked with the Australian Fashion Week. Repertoire development has intersected with choreographic residencies at institutions such as the Australia Council Studio and international exchanges with companies like the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the Singapore Dance Theatre.

Notable Works and Collaborations

Signature works from different eras include collaborations with composers and librettists connected to the Bangarra Dance Theatre and soloists drawn from companies such as the Australian Ballet and the Royal Ballet. Production partnerships have included set designers who have worked with the Sydney Theatre Company and lighting designers affiliated with Circa Contemporary Circus. High-profile commissions have come from festivals like the Biennale of Sydney and the Melbourne Festival, with international co-productions presented at venues such as the Teatro alla Scala and the Barbican Centre. Guest choreographers and collaborators have included artists connected to the Nederland Dans Theater, the Martha Graham Dance Company, and choreographic innovators with ties to the Juilliard School.

Dancers and Alumni

Company dancers and alumni have progressed to or come from ensembles such as the Australian Ballet, Bangarra Dance Theatre, and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Notable artists associated through performance, teaching, or choreography have links to the Victorian College of the Arts, the National Institute of Dramatic Art, and the Queensland Ballet. Alumni have appeared in productions at the Sydney Opera House, the Edinburgh International Festival, and on television through collaborations with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and commercial broadcasters. Several former dancers have established independent companies, taught at institutions such as the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, or created works for festivals like the Hobart Festival of Music.

Education, Outreach, and Community Programs

Education and outreach initiatives have connected to tertiary and community institutions including the University of New South Wales, the TAFE NSW, and local councils across the Inner West Council and Northern Beaches Council. Programs have included masterclasses with visiting artists from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and mentoring linked to the Australia Council for the Arts fellowships. Community engagement has extended to collaborative projects with cultural organizations like the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and health partnerships informed by research at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales.

Touring, Venues, and Residencies

Touring history spans national seasons across states served by venues such as the Melbourne Arts Centre, Brisbane Cultural Centre, and Adelaide Festival Centre, and international seasons at the Lincoln Center, the Sadler's Wells Theatre, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Residencies and co-productions have been hosted by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, the Canberra Theatre Centre, and international institutions including the Barbican Centre and the Theatre du Chatelet. The company’s presence at the Sydney Opera House and the Roslyn Packer Theatre anchors its performance calendar while touring partnerships continue with national presenters and international festivals.

Category:Dance companies in Australia Category:Performing arts in Sydney