Sydney Dance Company has announced its 2023 Annual Program, a year of dance that showcases breathtaking artistry and dynamism.
“For Sydney Dance Company, 2023 will be a year of innovation and breaking the boundaries of what contemporary dance experiences can be,” says the company’s Artistic Director, Rafael Bonachela. “2023 also marks my 15th year as Artistic Director of Sydney Dance Company, and I am excited to share that I will continue my commitment to this role for another five years. I am also honoured to enter my second year as a Friend of the Maison for Cartier.”
In March 2023, Sydney Dance Company makes an exciting return to Sydney Opera House as part of its 50th anniversary with an impressive triple-bill, Ascent, co-commissioned by the Canberra Theatre Centre. Ascent features the reprise of Antony Hamilton’s Helpmann Award-winning Forever & Ever and world premieres by Bonachela and renowned Spanish choreographer Marina Mascarell.
Brimming with physicality, Ascent explores ideas of the now, order, chaos, popular culture and human behaviour with three innovative works from local and international talents. Full of electric movement and emotional force, Ascent is an arresting portrait of contemporary dance and its potential to move, excite and activate audiences. Brought to life by Sydney Dance Company’s superb ensemble, this program is a sensorial delight complete with inventive installations and magnetic musical scores. This triple-bill is a creative union at once forceful, sumptuous and dizzying.
The company will also embark on a national tour, from May to August, in 14 locations across five states and territories, which will include performances of Bonachela’s powerful masterwork ab [intra] and performances of Ascent.
“In September, our international tour begins!” Bonachela says. “After the incredible success of our French tour in 2022, it is such a privilege to return to the world stage, and I can’t wait to announce our international tour locations in the coming months.”
From 1 – 15 November 2023, Sydney Dance Company will present Up Close, a premiere format season in the company’s Neilson Studio. This intimate setting will provide audiences with unparalleled connection to the Company dancers, as guests witness their formidable artistry and breathtaking physicality closer than ever before. This first season of Up Close presents Somos, a world premiere by Bonachela. Meaning “we are” in Spanish, this new work will feature a cascade of spectacular performances with a distinct Latin flavour.
In December 2023, Sydney Dance Company, Carriageworks and The Balnaves Foundation continue their commitment to choreographers and present the 10th edition of New Breed. Since its premiere season in 2014, 34 emerging Australian choreographers have created works for this program. Showcasing a rich diversity of choreographic ideas, the 10th cohort of incredibly talented choreographers will create brand new works on members of Sydney Dance Company. 2023’s four choreographers will be announced mid-year.
“I look forward to welcoming audiences into our world, to experience a year of invigorating, transformative dance,” Bonachela says.
For further information on Sydney Dance Company’s 2023 season, visit www.sydneydancecompany.com.
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