A major champion of the arts in North Queensland, Dancenorth Australia balances a dynamic regional presence with a commitment to creating compelling contemporary dance that tours the world.​

Deeply committed to the creation of adventurous, thoughtfully conceived, and highly acclaimed new work; Dancenorth has presented work in more than 55 International Arts Festivals and venues around Australia and the world. Dancenorth has been recognised for its outstanding work with accolades including the prestigious Sidney Myer Performing Arts Group Award, an Australian Dance Award, two Greenroom Awards, two Helpmann Awards, and four Major Festivals Initiative (MFI) commissions.

Dancenorth has become an epicentre of cultural change by empowering, supporting and welcoming many artistic voices including a diverse range of choreographers, guest collaborators, Artists in residence and dancers.

Alongside the professional Ensemble and touring productions sits an equally vital pillar of focus: Community Experience. Dancenorth’s dedicated team works with diverse and minority communities across Queensland using dance to support, enhance, inspire and heal.

Led by Co-Artistic Directors Kyle Page and Amber Haines, and Executive Director Hillary Coyne, Dancenorth is an integral part of the Australian dance ecology making a significant contribution to the dance sector and building contemporary dance literacy.

Concept, Direction and Choreography - Amber Haines and Kyle Page
Lighting Design - Niklas Pajanti
Composition - Hiatus Kaiyote
Sound Art and Design - Byron J. Scullin
Sound Sculpture Design, Construction, and Implementation - Robert Larsen and Nicholas Roux
Visual Design - Hiromi Tango
Design Associate - Chloe Greaves
Design Assistant - Jeanette Hutchinson
Polyrhythm Consultant - Naomi Jean
Performers/Choreographers - Sabine Crompton-Ward, Tiana Lung, Aleeya McFadyen-Rew, Damian Meredith, Darci O'Rourke, Jag Popham, Felix Sampson, Michael Smith
Production Manager – Candice Marshall

Wayfinder is a visionary work by Dancenorth. The Company collaborated with three-time Grammy-nominees Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron J. Scullin to create a soaring composition that evokes positivity and possibility, and immerses audiences in a new sonic dimension.

Audiences are uplifted by the work’s focus on connection, jubilation and colour. Performed atop an inflatable stage and featuring 110km of woollen art and 100 light and sound-emitting pearls, Wayfinder speaks to our sensorial nature.

Dancenorth Australia has developed a comprehensive Marketing Kit to support Presenters in promoting Wayfinder. The kit includes marketing copy, social media content, promotional photos, 7 x sizzle reels, pull-quotes and full-length reviews, media release templates and artist bios.

In addition, Dancenorth offers a curriculum and syllabus-aligned Education Pack. The Education Pack was developed in consultation with Kath Cadd (Creative Director Dance, QCAA at Brisbane State High School, and committee member of Ausdance Educators Queensland) and enables classroom learnings to culminate in live workshops and masterclasses held by the company.

Designed to bring our community closer to the conceptual and creative work of the company, Dancenorth facilitates arts experiences that encourage individual expression and community spirit, for all. Dancenorth meets people where they are, connects them in a space of belonging, and invites them to connect with dance as simply, or seriously, as they desire.

Opportunities include dance workshops for school students, masterclasses for dance artists, community access tickets, Q&A with the Artists, and Knitting Sittings that result in community finger-knitting being woven into the show as it continues to visit new destinations. Refer to page 21 of our Presenter pack regarding Community Experience offerings.

To date, 110km of community-woven woollen strands have been incorporated into the performance – 40km of which has been added since Wayfinder’s premiere in 2023.

In addition, Dancenorth’s syllabus-aligned Education Pack enables classroom learnings to culminate in live workshops and masterclasses held by the company during their time in town.

Engagement opportunities align with Dancenorth’s Company ethos of connecting bodies, hearts and nature through the transformative power of dance.

The cultural legacy of Wayfinder is to remind people of the enduring importance of connection, resilience and joy in a world that can often feel so bereft.