FORM Dance Projects is thrilled to announce the return of IDEA – Independent Dance Exchange Australia, Sydney’s trailblazing festival of workshops, performances, and creative exchange, running from September 25 – October 17, 2025.
Launched in 2024 to address critical gaps in development and presentation opportunities for dance artists, IDEA is a catalyst for connection, innovation, and growth in the independent dance sector. The inaugural edition, IDEA’24, attracted over 750 artists across six venues and four LGAs, reigniting Sydney’s dance scene and retraining dance talent in the community.
Now in its second edition, IDEA’25 delivers an electric lineup of workshops, intensives, and performances featuring some of Australia’s most respected dance and physical theatre practitioners — all presented in thrilling venues across Sydney, including the newly reopened Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst.
DARUNGA – First Nations Festival Weekend, a two-day event at the Murama Dance Ground, will anchor the program. Curated by Dharug custodian Peta Strachan, alongside the Jannawi Dance Clan and other First Nations leaders, this gathering is designed for cultural exchange, creative collaboration, and professional development.
IDEA’25 will also feature a stage adaptation of the award-winning short film Yeah The Boys. Directed by Vanessa Marian and Stefan Hunt, the YEAH THE BOYS workshop and creative development will explore themes of masculinity and mateship, evolving into a broader celebration of community connection. The production will take place at secret locations across Sydney.
New creations include RESONANCE, a collaboration between James Batchelor and three generations of dancers. Staged at Sydney Dance Company, this new work pays tribute to the legacy of choreographer Tanja Liedtke and features performers from Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year. For an immersive theatre experience, OVERTURE from Tegan Jeffrey-Rushton and Artisma Creative Co promises a journey that disrupts the fourth wall at Eternity Playhouse.
The Eternity Playhouse will also stage ON TAP, bringing together improvisation legends Andrew Morrish, Tony Osborne, and Peter Trotman for a night of spontaneous, solo performances. The venue is becoming a hub for independent dance. IDEA’25 Presenting Artist Tegan Jeffrey-Rushton commented, “I am totally stoked to see IDEA champion the Eternity Playhouse as Sydney’s new venue for independent dance presentation in the city”.
To increase visibility for independent artists, IDEA’25 is also launching IDEA NOW. This new platform will offer free presentation opportunities and foster connections to national networks, venues, and festivals, ensuring the independent dance scene continues to grow.
For over 25 years, FORM Dance Projects has been Western Sydney’s leading presenter of independent contemporary dance. Based at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, FORM’s work maximises local artistic productivity, builds pathways for independent artists, and strengthens creative ties between Western Sydney and the world.
Visit form.org.au to learn more about FORM Dance Projects and this year’s IDEA’25.
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