We run innovative, challenging, diverse and rigorous dance and artist development programs for young people aged 8 to 26, with a staged progression over several years of their lives. We develop the next generation of dance makers supporting, nurturing, mentoring and coaching them through their critical early years and as they emerge as professionals, beyond and alongside other learning they gain from universities and elsewhere.
In our core programs, we provide and support an ever-changing balance of taught skills, rigorous challenge, creative practice, disciplined activity, and provocative guidance. We prioritise choreographic literacy, intellectual engagement, and the discipline of creative process.
We enable growth and development for young dance artists, emerging choreographers and our audiences producing thoughtful and challenging dance works. We present immersive, creative and demanding performances by emerging and established artists.For graduates and tertiary students, our reach is national. For younger dancers our focus is regional. For both, we have international connections. We have presented performances in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, regional Australian centres, Thailand, Singapore,Jamaica, Taiwan, England and Scotland to critical and audience acclaim.
Our core programs include each year:
· A major performance project, Quantum Leap (ages 14-26); a 6 month+ project, developing a full-length contemporary dance working collaboratively with professional choreographers presented at the Canberra Theatre Centre Playhouse
· A performance project for younger dancers, Chaos Project (ages 8-20); a 3-month project, building confidence and providing skill-sharing opportunities with professional choreographers and/or emerging artists presented at Theatre 3.
· Two mentored choreographic projects building creative opportunities for young dancers "Giant Steps" (ages 11-18) and Hot to Trot (ages 15-20) developing short works for performance seasons in our QL2 Theatre
· On Course; a 2-week choreographic program for tertiary dance students from across Australia giving choreographic opportunities and building networks
· We have extensive training programs including Contemporary Dance, Classical for Contemporary dancers, Stretch & Conditioning and Yoga classes (ages 8-26)
· Curated residencies (recent graduates to mid-career dance artists) we offer studio space to experiment, develop and present work whilst being mentored and supported throughout their residency
· Commissions from National institutions; National Portrait Gallery, War Memorial and National Gallery of Australia
“QL2 provides an environment where creativity and collaborative practices are nurtured and developed. It empowers young people to make decisions, develop their artistic voices and identify personal strengths. Through QL2 I was able to better understand who I was as a young person and the possibilities that were open to me in the future. Now as a professional choreographer, I am certain that the skills I developed early in Quantum Leap have been essential to succeeding in the industry. Moreover these are skills that are relevant to almost any profession or occupation. I think this is a major reason why so many Quantum Leap alumni become leaders and innovators, contributing widely to our Australian culture and beyond.”