LGI offers a diverse, year-round program of contemporary dance focused activities for the dance community.
Access
LGI is committed to improving access and inclusion across our programs and at our WXYZ Studios in North Melbourne.
Senior First Nations Residency
This annual opportunity has been created through a new multi-year partnership between BlakDance and Lucy Guerin Inc. Each year, the funded studio residency will support one Senior First Nations artist with a fee, production support and dedicated studio time at WXYZ Studios. They will also be invited to take part in a range of other opportunities to deepen engagement with the local dance and First Nations communities. This opportunity is designed to both celebrate and support Senior First Nations dance artists’ work by providing a space for the development of new work or ongoing research into their artistic practice.
The inaugural First Nations Resident in 2021 was Jacob Boehme
First Nations Graduate Internship
This annual opportunity has been created through a multi-year partnership between LGI and NAISDA Dance College. The program reflects a shared vision to create new career opportunities for emerging First Nations dance artists.
Each year, a recent NAISDA graduate will join LGI for a paid internship of four weeks. Tailored to the artist’s aspirations, this may include joining rehearsals with the performance company, participating in classes, workshops and discussions at WXYZ Studios, and engaging with the local dance scene.
The 2022 First Nations Graduate Intern is Shana O’Brien.
First Nations Secondment Program
This annual opportunity has been created through a multi-year partnership between LGI and NAISDA Dance College. Each year, two students from NAISDA’s new Advanced Diploma course are invited to participate in secondments with Lucy Guerin Inc during rehearsals of new dance creations. This experience will offer the students an authentic experience of working as a company dancer, including participation in daily company training and the creative process in the studio.
Secondees are selected by NAISDA staff in dialogue with Lucy Guerin.
Presented by Lucy Guerin Inc and EkosDance Company
Lucy Guerin Inc is seeking expressions of interest from Melbourne-based choreographers for the inaugural Naarm/Solo Dance Exchange.
Presented by Lucy Guerin Inc (LGI) and EkosDance Company (EDC), the Naarm/Solo Dance Exchange is a long-term reciprocal choreographic exchange between Australian and Indonesian dance artists.
Across 2022-2023, the program will see one Melbourne-based choreographer and one Indonesian choreographer working together in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia and Solo/Surakarta, Indonesia—hosted by LGI and EDC respectively.
Supported throughout by LGI’s Artistic Director, Lucy Guerin, and EDC’s Artistic Director, Eko Supriyanto, the exchange will provide a platform for rich cross-cultural collaboration and connection. Fostering experimentation, exploration and innovation, cultures and artform practices will be shared, discussed, and experienced—creating lasting impacts.
To apply
– Download and read the Info Pack here
– Submit an online application here
Applications are now open and close 5pm Tuesday 24 May.
If you have any questions or wish to receive this information in a large print, text-only or alternative format, or would like to submit an application in an alternative format, please contact our Producer Estelle Conley at estelle@lucyguerininc.com. You can supply your phone number via email if you would prefer to discuss via phone.
LGI selects one choreographer annually to become the company’s Resident Director.
This year-long position was created for choreographers approaching mid-career. It’s an opportunity that focuses on supporting the individual’s specific goals and interests as they look to take the next step as an artist.
A primary purpose of the program is to assist the Resident Director in developing the skills required to become an Artistic Director. These skills are distinct from those of a choreographer, but essential for the successful running of a dance company or other organisational structure.
During their time in residence, Resident Directors are encouraged to explore topics such as the type of company model that would best support their style of work, as well as seeking to develop a sustainable artistic practice as a choreographer.
This position is also an opportunity to work creatively more consistently than their current project funding may allow. The artist receives dedicated free studio time and an annual fee along with assistance in finding both funds and presenting opportunities for new works created during this period.
Resident Directors also receive mentoring in all aspects of running a company, including the opportunity to gain insight into Board meetings, budgets and strategic planning.
2021-22
2020-21
2019
2018
Mariaa Randall
2017
Prue Lang
2016
Jo Lloyd
2015
Melanie Lane
2014
Antony Hamilton
2013
Stephanie Lake
LGI’s Artist-in-Residence program is part of our commitment to supporting artists to develop their choreographic practices and create new works. Residencies are selected through an open application process and LGI encourages applications from artists identifying as First Nations, CALD, Deaf or Disabled, and LGBTQI+.
Make a Start Residency
One- to two-week residencies for projects in the early stages that are challenging choreographic thinking and exploring new experimental approaches to dance practice.
Moving Forward Residency
This residency opportunity provides artists with time, money and support to further develop projects that are ready to be refined, and are approaching an outcome. At the culmination of their in-studio time, Moving Forward residents will present a showing of their work, or share part of their artistic process through a workshop, talk or publication.
2022 - Moving Forward
Amber McCartney / Caroline Meaden / Jonathan Homsey / Nana Bilus Abaffy / Rebecca Jensen / Tra Mi Dinh
2022 - Make a Start
Amelia O’Leary / Brooke Stamp / Erin O’Rourke / Janelle Tan / Leah Landau / Nikki Tarling / Sefa Tunupopo / Tegan Nash / Yuiko Masukawa
2021 - Moving Forward
Alice Dixon & Emma Riches / Helen Herberston / Prue Lang / Amaara Raheem / Geoffrey Watson / Rachael Wisby
2020 - Moving Forward
Ngioka Bunda-Heath / Siobhan McKenna / Ashleigh Musk / Andrew Treloar & Harrison Hall
2020 - Make a Start
Isabelle Beauverd / Joel Bray / Deanne Butterworth / Lz Dunn & Casey Rice / Emily Flannery / Michelle Heaven & Caroline Meaden / Helen Herbertson / Benjamin Hurley, Luke Fryer & Emma Riches / Rebecca Jensen / Piaera Lauritz / Shian Law / Jo Lloyd / Gregory Lorenzutti / Sandra Parker / Polito / Georgia Rudd / Rhys Ryan / Anna Seymour
2019 - Moving Forward
2019 - Make a Start
Alice Will Caroline / Dance Plant Collective / Deanne Butterworth / Chloe Chignell / Matthew Day (cancelled) / Sally Gardner / Harrison Hall / Rebecca Jensen / Jenni Large / Lilian Steiner.
2018
James Andrews, Alice Heyward, Leah Landau, Amanda Lever, Siobhan McKenna, Caroline Meaden, Emma Riches, Jack Riley, Brooke Stamp, Ivey Wawn
2017
Luke George, Rebecca Jensen, Stephanie Lake, Carly Sheppard, Lilian Steiner
2016
Sarah Aiken, Chloe Chignell, Tim Darbyshire, Prue Lang
2015
Matthew Day, Liz Dunn, Rennie McDougall, Lee Serle, Geoffrey Watson
2014
Natalie Abbott, Theo Clinkard, Atlanta Eke, Stephanie Lake
2013
Ashley Dyer, Michaela Pegum, Sarah Aiken & Rebecca Jensen, Lilian Steiner, Alisdair Macindoe, Jo Lloyd
2012
Luke George, Janine Proost, Shian Law, Antony Hamilton with Melanie Lane
2011
Lee Serle, Shelley Lasica, Luke George, Caroline Meaden, Alice Dixon, Melissa Jones, Nat Cursio, Rennie Mcdougall, Fiona Bryant, Paula Lay, James Brennan and Stephanie Lake
2010
Antony Hamilton, Luke George, Tim Darbyshire, Rennie Mcdougall, Holly Durant, Alisdair Macindoe
Yellow Wheel
Melbourne’s pre-professional dance company, Yellow Wheel, are the Resident Company at Lucy Guerin Inc.
Each year, Yellow Wheel supports talented young artists to challenge expectations, connect to the professional dance industry and achieve their ambitions. Activities include the creation of major new works, public intensives and Trip the Light - a choreographic season of dance works created by the dancers.
The Yellow Wheel team is: Kyall Shanks (Artistic Director), Rachel Owens (Associate Director), Joshua Lowe (Artistic Advisor) and Adam Wheeler (Artistic Advisor).
Find out more on the Yellow Wheel website.
Out of Bounds
Out of Bounds is an exciting choreographic ideas sharing platform presented by Lucy Guerin Inc and Temperance Hall. The program invites Victorian artists to present showings of recent choreographic investigations to local audiences, fellow artists and peers. The initiative also provides participants with the opportunity to receive creative feedback about their work, with post-showing discussions facilitated by experienced Victorian dance practitioners.
Lucy Guerin Inc and Temperance Hall are currently seeking expressions of interest for the third season of Out of Bounds, which is happening at Temperance Hall on Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 August 2022.
Find out more and apply here.
Applications close at midday on Tuesday 31 May.
LIVENESS
Presented by Lucy Guerin Inc, LIVENESS is an exciting new program for the Melbourne dance community to come together for the practice and performance of improvisation in a relaxed and social environment.
PIECES
PIECES is an annual performance program presented by Lucy Guerin Inc and The Substation, offering choreographers the opportunity to make 20-minute works that premiere in a season at The Substation.
These artists develop their work at WXYZ Studios and The Substation, where studio space is offered in-kind. A strong focus of LGI’s support is directed towards interrogating the process of conceiving, making and rehearsing to develop bold, new ideas that challenge existing notions of dance as well as refine the artists’ own choreographic practices.
Read more about previous PIECES seasons on our Works page.
With thanks to the continued support of PIECES from the Angior Family Foundation and City of Melbourne.
LGI Morning Classes
LGI offer a regular program of dance and yoga classes at WXYZ Studios in North Melbourne.
Classes are taught by a selection of highly-experienced teachers, providing a rich diversity of techniques, styles and approaches. Find the full schedule of classes in the LGI Calendar.
Pricing
Single class $15
Week pass $25
5-class pass $70 (valid for 6 months)
10-class pass $130 (valid for 12 months)
Access
Physical access information at WXYZ Studios can be found in our Accessibility Guide, and information on Getting to WXYZ Studios is here.
If you have any access requirements or questions to participate in classes, please contact admin@lucyguerininc.com in advance.
As part of our class program, LGI offers some inclusive dance classes that aim to be accessible to all bodies present. Please refer to LGI Calendar for more information on individual classes, or contact admin@lucyguerininc.com to discuss. These classes are part of LGI’s ongoing commitment to improving the accessibility of our studio programs and creating opportunities for Disabled and non-disabled artists to engage in inclusive practices.
Class FAQs
- LGI Morning Classes are recommended for dancers with some training or experience including recent graduates, current students, trained and practicing dancers. Please refer to individual class descriptions in the LGI Calendar.
- Our ballet classes are designed to offer the benefits of technical ballet classes to contemporary dancers.
- Payment method: pay via EFTPOS at the front desk in the LGI Office.
- We have on-site kitchen facilities and change rooms with showers available to dance class participants.
Upcoming Workshops
Head to the LGI Calendar to see what’s coming up.
Hotbed Workshops
Led by invited local and international choreographers, this program seeks to bring current contemporary dance thinking and practice to the local dance community. These are opportunities for local dance-makers to broaden their understanding and gain insight from practitioners working professionally across the world. Hotbed workshops are offered at heavily-subsidised rate and participants are selected through an open application process.
Online Workshops
Online workshops seek to support the development of practice for dancers and choreographers in a format that’s accessible to the wider dance community.
Access and inclusion
Physical access information at WXYZ Studios can be found in our Accessibility Guide.
If you have any access requirements to participate in workshops, please contact us in advance: admin@lucyguerininc.com.
Dance Dialogues
In Dance Dialogues, invited dance artists discuss their perspectives on practice and art-making, sometimes around a particular theme, in a relaxed hour-long chat which includes an audience Q&A. Since September 2020, Dance Dialogues have been hosted either online or in dual mode (in-studio and livestreamed), making them accessible to an audience beyond those who can join us at WXYZ Studios in Melbourne. Head to the LGI Calendar to see what’s coming up.
Past Conversations
Recordings and transcripts of previous conversations are available below:
– Amaara Raheem and Siriol Joyner November 2021
– Melanie Lane and Eko Supriyanto October 2021
– Jacob Boehme and Mariaa Randall July 2021
– Teaching Dance May 2021
– Caroline Bowditch and Luke Pell March 2021
– Phillip Adams, Lucy Guerin and Rebecca Hilton February 2021
– Tere O’Connor and Lucy Guerin December 2020
– Jo Lloyd and Rebecca Jensen November 2020
– Joel Bray and Dan Koop October 2020
– Rebecca Hilton and Chrysa Parkinson October 2020
– Lee Serle and Maya Zbib September 2020
– Angela Goh and Chloe Chignell September 2020
Critter
An evolution of First Run which began in 2008, Critter provides artists with a tailored opportunity to share material with a critical outcome and initiate discussion relevant to their new work’s stage of development.
Artists are invited to think broadly to formulate the most appropriate and useful format of Critter for their project’s stage of development. This could include a sharing of material and discussion to generate critical feedback with peers, or inviting subject experts to offer further insight or context to their project.
Critter is an open, artist-centred and malleable space of possibility.
Talks, Forums and Ideas
LGI constantly seeks ways to play an active role in both local and global contemporary dance discourse. This desire extends beyond the Company’s performance and participatory programs and can include talks, forums and film showings. Through these activities, we invite the dance community and wider public to discover, learn, debate and discuss themes and subjects important to contemporary dance.
Secondments
LGI regularly offers Secondment places during the creation of new works. This is an opportunity to experience a new LGI work in creation, offering insight into the identity and culture of the Company and the choreographic process.
Secondments normally last for one week. Every endeavour is made to include the secondee in practical tasks and discussions during rehearsals as well as inviting them to join company class. However, at some stages of the process may be observing only.
LGI Secondments are typically open to final year students, new graduates, and dancers during their initial years of professional practice. LGI encourages applications from artists identifying as First Nations, CALD, Deaf or Disabled, and LGBTQI+.
Applications for 2022 Secondments have now closed.
Auditions
There are currently no audition opportunities with LGI.
LGI seeks to support artists who are creating work that contributes to the development of dance-making and choreography in Australia. LGI has also supported the development and presentation of new work through commissions and other modes of support. These have included:
– Merge (2015) by Melanie Lane
– P.O.V. (2013) by Lee Serle
– NOWNOWNOW (2010) by Luke George
– Bromance (2010) by Alisdair Macindoe