Natalie Weir’s EXPRESSIONS DANCE COMPANY

“This prolific company, under the choreographic direction of Natalie Weir, are producing some of the finest contemporary dance works to come out of in recent years” AUSTRALIAN STAGE

“This strong company produces some extraordinary performances, matching the best seen on QPAC stage” The Australian

“Natalie Weir is one of the most original people working in this area at the moment.” 612 ABC THEATRE REVIEWS

Expressions Dance Company is defined by its commitment to excellence in performance, sector development and education, all contributing to the evolution and future of contemporary Australian dance. Under the leadership of internationally acclaimed Artistic Director Natalie Weir (appointed 2009), and with the talents of an extraordinary ensemble of dancers, the company’s work is achieving significant recognition through national awards.

Natalie Weir is as an established and acclaimed choreographer, known internationally for her highly physical partner work, her organic movement style and her touching insight into human nature.

Natalie’s signature works for EDC include where the heart is (2010 and 2012), R&J (2011) and When Time Stops (2013). 2014 will see the world premiere of Natalie’s fourth signature work - a new contemporary dance adaptation of The Red Shoes. Natalie has also created smaller works for EDC including While Others Sleep, Raw (2010), Don’t, The Lament (2012), and Carmen Sweet (2013).

EDC has received invitations to perform in over 16 countries throughout its 28-year history. Recently, EDC’s commitment to cultural collaboration has been articulated through ’s celebrated Ballet Under The Stars event in 2013, which included the world premiere of Natalie’s 4Seasons and a special performance of EDC’s Carmen Sweet.

Additional international highlights include First Ritual with LDTX/BeijingDance (2010 and 2011) and Scripsi Scriptum (2011 and 2012) collaboration with Switzerland based Cathy Sharp Dance Ensemble. Both these productions were performed in the collaborating company’s hometown as well as in Brisbane.

Expressions Dance Company 2014 ensemble includes Michelle Barnett, Daryl Brandwood, Benjamin Chapman, Elise May, and Jack Ziesing.

“I hope our initiatives nurture your love of dance and deepen your understanding of dance’s potential to tell our stories. I warmly invite you to share my passion for this wonderful art form.” Artistic Director, Natalie Weir.

I hope our initiatives nurture your love of dance and deepen your understanding of dance’s p

Natalie W eir’s EXPRESSIONS DANCE COMPANY

About Natalie Weir Natalie is known internationally for her highly physical partner work, her organic movement style and her touching insight into human nature. On her journey with EDC as Artistic Director, Natalie continues to create work that balances artistic risk with accessibility and that speaks of humanity. Natalie Weir has created over 160 professional works in her 25+ year career. She was a founding member of Expressions Dance Company and was offered her first choreographic commission by Expression’s artistic director, Maggi Sietsma at 18.

Natalie was resident choreographer for Ballet and Australian Ballet and has worked extensively throughout Australia, creating works for the country’s other major classical and contemporary dance companies, including , Dancenorth and Australian Dance Theatre. Career highlights include creating Petrushka for and Dark Lullaby for .

Natalie has also created works for, or had her works performed by, international companies such as , Singapore Dance Theatre, and . Natalie’s work has been recognised through Helpmann Awards for where the heart is (2011), for where the heart is (2011) and R&J (2012). Her work Steppenwolfe for Houston Ballet received the presitgeous Choo San Goh Award and her original version of Turandot for the Hong Kong Ballet received the 2004 Dance Award for Best New Work.

Natalie was appointed Artistic Director of EDC in January 2009, fulfilling her long-term dream to build an ensemble of dancers and contribute to the future of Australian Dance.

Our Mission To be globally recognised arts company creating breathtaking dance.

We envisage Speaking to a diverse and engaged audience through the creation and presentation of significant and enduring new dance productions that take artistic risks;

Creating work that touches the human spirit, that moves and connects with people and relates to who we are as Australians;

Engaging an ensemble of dancers who are both fearless and individual;

Working through collaborations and partnerships locally and globally with an unwavering attention to artistic excellence and integrity of process; and

Contributing to the development of a vibrant dance sector in Brisbane through initiatives and programs that promote participation, excellence and sustainability.

We value Work We believe in dance is the heart of our work, where dynamic and organic movement and beauty is part of the aesthetic; We are artistically generous, collaborative in nature and responsive to new ideas; We see dance, music and design as the three major elements of our work and we value collaboration with talented artists from these art forms; and We create large works that collaborate with larger companies, as well as smaller intimate works. Dancers We acknowledge our dancers, alongside our artistic director are our greatest asset; We value our dancers’ contribution to the creation of work; and We nurture our dancers, choreographers and emerging artists. Organisation We act with integrity in all that we do; We provide a conducive atmosphere for the creation of great work; and We continually evolve through our open and accessible approach to partnerships and new ideas.