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.
Lead images: LIVENESS – Bryony Jackson / Classes & Workshops – Bryony Jackson / Residencies – Shelley O’Meara / PIECES – Gregory Lorenzutti
LGI is currently offering two quick response cash grant programs to support and bolster the independent dance community at this time: the Mental Health Support grant program and the Creative Focus grant program.
LGI is committed to making both these application processes accessible to as many as possible. If you require information in a different format, or wish to apply in an alternative format please contact Estelle via estelle@lucyguerininc.com to discuss how we can make this possible.
LGI is committed to equity and inclusion and encourages applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and/or People of Colour, Deaf and Disabled people, people from LGBTQIA+ communities, and people with other significant risk factors.
Applications for both programs are now open and close 10am, Monday 8 November.
These grant programs are generously supported by the Besen Family Foundation.
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The pandemic has highlighted a growing urgency for greater mental health and wellbeing support for the the arts sector, with independent artists being particularly vulnerable. LGI is deeply committed to supporting the ongoing health and wellbeing of the independent dance community.
The Mental Health Support grant program will provide $600 cash grants for 16 independent dance artists to use towards supporting their mental health and wellbeing needs.
The grant could support you:
– To cover any out-of-pocket expenses related to your Mental Health Treatment Plan.
– To take some time off and be covered financially.
– To assist with rent and other living expenses.
– To pay for mental health and wellbeing related goods and services.
Eligibility requirements:
– You are an individual, independent dance artist with at least two years of professional practice in performance or a recent graduate;
– You are able to provide details of two professional referees; and
– You are based in Victoria.
A couple of things to keep in mind when making your application:
– Eligible recipients will be randomly selected.
– We will only contact your referees if we need to verify that you are an independent dancer with a minimum of two years professional practice, or a recent graduate.
– We will not disclose any information about your application.
– We encourage everyone who needs this support to apply.
– You will not need to acquit this grant.
Applications are now open and close 10am, Monday 8 November.
APPLY FOR A MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GRANT NOW
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We’re offering the Creative Focus grant program to fund 5 independent dance artists to spend time exploring, experimenting, and developing your creative practice. Each grant of $1,800 could contribute to the development of new work, the purchasing of materials and resources, venue hire, learning new skills and/or research — whatever works best for you.
Eligibility requirements:
– You are an individual, independent dance artist with at least two years of professional practice in performance or a recent graduate;
– You are able to provide details of two professional referees;
– You are based in Victoria.
A couple of things to keep in mind when making your application:
– Eligible recipients will be randomly selected.
– We will only contact your referees if we need to verify that you are an independent dance artist with a minimum of two years professional practice, or a recent graduate.
– We will not disclose any information about your application.
– The only ‘outcome’ we will ask you for is a reflection (in a format of your choice) in response to the following question: What did this grant allow you to explore/do?
Applications are now open and close 10am, Monday 8 November.
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.
Mariaa Randall
Prue Lang
Jo Lloyd
Melanie Lane
Antony Hamilton
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. Open to local and national contemporary dance choreographers, this opportunity offers short-term studio space, basic administrative support, and the opportunity to gain peer feedback through a public sharing, Critter session or alternative outcome.
First Nations Resident
Starting in 2021, 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 four weeks of 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 program will develop with artistic self-determination at its core. In addition to determining the cultural protocols and allocation of resources for their own residency, the current Resident will also be invited to play a key role in choosing the artist for the following year.
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. These included the option to work full-time or Out of Time (part-time, evenings and weekends).
Residencies are selected through an open application process. Anyone who meets the criteria is welcome to apply and LGI encourages applications from artists identifying as First Nations, CALD, Deaf or Disabled.
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.
Residents are selected through an open application process. Anyone who meets the criteria is welcome to apply and LGI encourages applications from artists identifying as First Nations, CALD, Deaf or Disabled.
Alice Dixon & Emma Riches / Helen Herberston / Prue Lang / Amaara Raheem / Geoffrey Watson / Rachael Wisby
Jacob Boehme
Ngioka Bunda-Heath / Siobhan McKenna / Ashleigh Musk & Michael Smith / Andrew Treloar & Harrison Hall
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
Alice Will Caroline / Dance Plant Collective / Deanne Butterworth / Chloe Chignell / Matthew Day (cancelled) / Sally Gardner / Harrison Hall / Rebecca Jensen / Jenni Large / Lilian Steiner.
James Andrews, Alice Heyward, Leah Landau, Amanda Lever, Siobhan McKenna, Caroline Meaden, Emma Riches, Jack Riley, Brooke Stamp, Ivey Wawn
Luke George, Rebecca Jensen, Stephanie Lake, Carly Sheppard, Lilian Steiner
Sarah Aiken, Chloe Chignell, Tim Darbyshire, Prue Lang
Matthew Day, Liz Dunn, Rennie McDougall, Lee Serle, Geoffrey Watson
Natalie Abbott, Theo Clinkard, Atlanta Eke, Stephanie Lake
Ashley Dyer, Michaela Pegum, Sarah Aiken & Rebecca Jensen, Lilian Steiner, Alisdair Macindoe, Jo Lloyd
Luke George, Janine Proost, Shian Law, Antony Hamilton with Melanie Lane
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
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.
PIECES
PIECES is an annual performance program 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.
Artists are also creatively supported through discussions with Lucy Guerin, The Substation’s Artistic Director Brad Spolding, and LGI’s current Resident Director.
The choreographers selected for the 2021 season of PIECES are Michelle Heaven, Lee Serle and co-choreographers Harrison Hall & Andrew Treloar.
Venue
The Substation
1 Market Street, Newport VIC
Season
8–11 December 2021
Wednesday – Friday, 7pm
Saturday, 3pm & 7pm
Artist Talk
Post-show on Friday 10 December (with Auslan Interpreter)
Runtime
Approximately 90 minutes including interval
Cost
Adult $25 / Conc $20 (inc. BF)
PIECES is a co-production by Lucy Guerin Inc and The Substation, co-curated by Lucy Guerin and Brad Spolding.
Read more about the history of PIECES and discover every season on our Works page.
With thanks to the continued support of PIECES from the Angior Family Foundation and City of Melbourne.
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.
Facilitated by experienced improvisers, the session will begin with tuning into the body through a guided warm-up. This will offer a focus for the evening that will open up into a space for improvised dancing and watching.
The program is open to practising dancers and tertiary dance students to participate. Anyone can be an observer!
LIVENESS was created in collaboration with Rebecca Jensen.
The inaugural LIVENESS is happening as part of MPavilion 2021 on Monday 13 December.
Out of Bounds
Inspired by the experimental New York dance-scapes of the 80s and 90s and born out of a need to bring the Victorian dance community together in the midst of the global pandemic, Out of Bounds is an exciting artist sharing platform presented by two of Australia’s leading dance companies, Lucy Guerin Inc and Phillip Adams BalletLab.
The initiative provides artists the opportunity for participating artists to receive critical feedback from the two organisations’ respective Artistic Directors, Lucy Guerin AO and Phillip Adams, as well as from attending artists and peers.
Due to current restrictions in place in Melbourne, Out of Bounds at WXYZ Studios on 28 & 29 August has been cancelled. Out of Bounds will return in April 2022, stay tuned for all the details.
Congratulations to the following artists selected to take part in the Out of Bounds August 2021 program:
Aimee Schollum, Alec Katsourakis, Arabella Frahn-Starkie, Caitlin Dear, Callum Mooney & Jayden Wall, Carmen Yih, Caroline Meaden, Claire Leske, Gabriella Imrichova, Gabrielle Leah New, Hayley Roe, Iris Elgar, Jacqui Maida, Kady Mansour, Rachel Coulson, Rachel Mackie with Emily Laursen and Charlie Byrnes, Sarah Kosoof & Caitlin Mewett, Sarah Saxon, Sarscha Lewis, Siobhan McKenna, Thomas Woodman, Tim Darbyshire, Tra Mi Dinh, William McBride.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pieces-tickets-205367087487LGI Morning Classes
In accordance with the Victorian Government regulations, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or valid medical exemption is required for anyone over the age of 16 to enter WXYZ Studios.
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.
When government restrictions preclude in-studio classes, LGI offers online classes via Zoom. See below for further COVIDSafety.
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 to participate in classes, please contact us in advance.
COVIDSafety
To support COVIDSafety at WXYZ Studios, all class participants are required to follow these guidelines. If you have any questions or queries, please contact admin@lucyguerininc.com.
LGI Company Class
During full-time rehearsal periods, the LGI company offers open Company Class. These sessions run Monday to Friday and follow the schedule of the LGI Morning Class program. These classes are open to current and former professionals, tertiary level students and recent graduates.
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:
– Dance Dialogues w/ Jacob Boehme and Mariaa Randall July 2021
– Dance Dialogues w/ 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.
Applications are now closed for 2021 Secondments.
First Nations Intern
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 up to five 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 2021 First Nations Intern is Wiradjuri artist Emily Flannery.
First Nations Secondment
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.
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