This November, Melbourne’s leading contemporary dance company Chunky Move will enter a new chapter of its longstanding commissioning practice for independent artists with the return of NEXT MOVE – a platform that creates opportunities for artists to challenge conventions and expand the possibilities within contemporary dance.
Returning in 2026, NEXT MOVE brings together acclaimed choreographers Harrison Ritchie-Jones and Samakshi Sidhu for a double bill of new works that invites audiences into two distinct choreographic worlds that unsettle the familiar. Across both works, bodies, sound and space become sites for experimentation, transformation and play.
In its original iteration, the program ran from 2008 until 2018, commissioning 11 world premieres and supporting artists who would go on to become some of Australia’s leading figures in Australian contemporary dance including Stephanie Lake, Antony Hamilton, Jo Lloyd, Melanie Lane, Atlanta Eke and James Batchelor as they developed new works and expanded the boundaries of the form.
“We’re thrilled to relaunch the Chunky Move commissioning program NEXT MOVE in 2026. Commissioning new work from emerging choreographers has been core to Chunky Move’s vision and purpose since the founding of the company over 30 years ago,” said Chunky Move Artistic Director Antony Hamilton.
“In recent years, our programs Activators and Choreographer In Residence have shaped new ideas and supported artists at varied scale to reimagine dance at the edge of experimentation. Now a beloved program returns from the archive to shape the next generation of makers and celebrate their next move.”
Known for his eclectic and unconventional approach to contemporary dance, dancer and choreographer, Harrison Ritchie-Jones creates work that blends contrasting forms with technical precision, exploring physical virtuosity and surreal storytelling.
His work has been commissioned by Sydney Dance Company, Stephanie Lake Company, Chunky Move, Dark Mofo and RISING Festival and has received multiple Green Room Awards and the 2025 Melbourne Fringe Director’s Choice Award. As a dancer, Ritchie-Jones has performed with leading Australian choreographers including Stephanie Lake, Antony Hamilton and Lucy Guerin.
Artist and dancer, Samakshi Sidhu’s work centres on the intelligence of the body in relation to ecological systems, investigating the body’s archive and intergenerational trauma. Driven by intuition and emotional rigour, Sidhu dreams and feels ancient and future realities.
Using dance and collaborative synergy as anchors, Sidhu aims to create dance theatre works that provoke visceral connection. Sidhu has worked extensively with Chunky Move as a full-time company dancer as well as Guts Dance, Joel Bray Dance and Ashleigh Musk.
Together, the two artists offer audiences an exciting snapshot of contemporary choreographic practice and the diverse voices shaping the future of Australian dance. Chunky Move is proud to reactivate NEXT MOVE in response to the evolving needs of the dance sector, providing a space for artists to develop ambitious new work and connect with audiences.
NEXT MOVE
Chunky Move Studios, 111 Sturt Street, Southbank
Season: 10 – 14 November 2026
Information and Bookings: www.chunkymove.com
Image: Chunky Move presents NEXT MOVE – photo by Gianna Rizzo