The Horizons Dance Group was mentored by Gabrielle Rose, professional dancer and CEO of Fling Physical Theatre for Young People. This film shares their insights into developing a career in dance. Through Horizons this group of young people and their mentor were able to meet up from across regional NSW.

When our group of dancers finally got to meet in person their first impulse was to bond through movement and dance together. Finding a place to dance in Sydney could have been a challenge, however we were generously provided a studio space to use on the pier at the Sydney Dance Company in the creative district of the rocks. They had the studio all to themselves, overlooking the water with an amazing view of the Sydney harbour bridge. Here Gabrielle took them through exercises intended to connect the mind and body by putting words to the feelings and movements of each other’s dance. Each of them took turns dancing alone and together while others observed and experimented with unconventional ways of observing each other’s improvised dance.

That evening they went to see the Sydney Dance company’s performance Newbreed , a program celebrating the work of young and emerging dancers and choreographers. Before the performance Sydney Dance Company’s Rehearsal Director Richard Cilli and Rehearsal Associate Charmene Yap generously spoke with our participants about the production and dance industry. They shared some great advice with our participants about what choreographers are looking for in a dancer as well as shared their own experiences of dancing as a young person, leaving high school and facing the unknown.

Dance Showcase 

From Left to Right: Katie Simpson, Matilda Rose Morse, Harry Haggar

Not Pictured: Gabrielle Rose

Short Film Director/DOP: Andrew Robinson

Short film Producer: Hiromi Matsuoka

Photography: Fabian Pertzel