Three local choreographers are set to debut their new triple-bill experimental contemporary dance work, Turnout, at the Phoenix Theatre in Coniston.

For two nights only - 13 and 14 June - Elizabeth Apter, Mara Glass, and Bella Lopes De Oliveira will each present a 20-minute original piece, exploring distinct ideas through the expressive language of contemporary dance.

“We each have our own pieces with different ideas,” says Apter.

“Mine is about girlhood through the lens of soul, spirit, and body. Then there’s a piece about generative AI and its implications on the art world, and another exploring embarrassment, using the theme of a circus performance.”

Rehearsals for Turnout. Photos supplied.

All three choreographers have been active in the Illawarra’s dance scene for years and are passionate about showcasing original work locally rather than defaulting to Sydney.

“There’s not really anything like it in the area,” says Apter.

“Contemporary dance tends to have a stronger presence in Sydney, so this is a great opportunity to feature that kind of work here in the Illawarra.”

The pieces make use of contemporary dance’s subversive and expressive nature, while also incorporating elements of physical theatre, sound, technology, and audience interaction to deepen each work’s narrative and impact.

“My piece is more traditional in the sense that it's just dance, pretty much,” says Apter. 

“But there are definitely physical theatre influences and a lot of theatrics. Bella’s piece invites the audience to participate - they actually become part of the performance. And Mara incorporates projected video throughout her work.”

“There’s a lot of technological involvement mixed in with dance, acting, physical theatre - and, of course, the music, costumes, and sound design.”

Apter says this fusion of artistic disciplines is what draws her to contemporary dance as an artform, and she hopes audiences are just as intrigued.

“It’s a physical amalgamation of so many things. It’s layered, subversive, and a very powerful form of individual expression,” she says. “Unlike a painting that can simply hang on a wall, dance requires collaboration - music, lighting, performance, movement - it’s all essential.”

She adds, “I love seeing the pieces I create come to life on stage. It’s a rare and valuable form of art, and not something we see often in the Illawarra.”

Tickets for Turnout are available now via Humanitix - don’t miss this rare opportunity to support local artists and experience bold, original dance theatre in the Illawarra.