Sydney Dance Company returns to the stage with New Breed

SDC-New-Breed-Choreographers-2021-Jacopo-Grabar,-Lilian-Steiner,-Jasmin-Sheppard-and-Rhiannon-NewtonSydney Dance Company, in partnership with Carriageworks and New Breed Principal Partner The Balnaves Foundation, is proud to announce a return to the stage with the eighth edition of New Breed, continuing a collective commitment to emerging choreographers.

New Breed will mark Sydney Dance Company’s first live, on-stage performance since Sydney’s 2021 lockdown commenced in June. Four talented choreographers will create new works featuring a rich diversity of choreographic ideas to be performed by Sydney Dance Company’s dancers in an extended season of 15 performances.

New Breed is well established as Australia’s most exciting showcase of raw talent and fresh ideas from some of the country’s most gifted emerging choreographers. The New Breed 2021 choreographers are: Jasmin Sheppard (Sydney), Jacopo Grabar (Sydney), Lilian Steiner (Melbourne) and Rhiannon Newton (Sydney).

“This year’s New Breed is very special for Sydney Dance Company, as after a long six months of disruption, we are returning to live performance,” said Sydney Dance Company’s Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela. “New Breed is such an important program supporting the development of new work and emerging artists.”

“I’m thrilled that after such a difficult year for the arts in Australia, we will be able to share the work of four talented artists, who represent the next generation of Australian choreographers, with audiences this year,” said Bonachela.

“For the eighth 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,” said Carriageworks CEO Blair French.

“New Breed reflects Carriageworks’ commitment to present artist-led programs that are innovative, ambitious, and risk-taking contemporary work. To be able to present such impressive and boundary-pushing live work to on-site audiences after such a challenging year is especially thrilling,” said French.

“The Balnaves Foundation is excited to be supporting Sydney Dance Company’s New Breed in its eighth year with an extended season of 15 performances,” said Victoria Balnaves of The Balnaves Foundation.

“After what has been a difficult year for all we cannot wait to get back to the live performance space and see what these young, dynamic choreographers will bring to the stage.”

“The Balnaves Foundation remains committed to fostering the future of the Arts in Australia, and we believe New Breed is the perfect platform to showcase our next generation of choreographic talent,” said Balnaves.

“The annual Sydney Dance Company showcase of freshly minted choreography is always intriguing for its revelation of ideas that a new generation of choreographers wants to explore – physical and intellectual.” – Sydney Morning Herald


New Breed takes place at Carriageworks from 25 November – 11 December 2021. For more information, visit: www.sydneydancecompany.com for details.

Image: Jacopo Grabar, Lilian Steiner, Jasmin Sheppard and Rhiannon Newton (supplied)