Dancers take to the stage

EIGHT young performers from the Toowoomba region will be taking on the most challenging performance of their dance careers to date.

They will be performing in TRIPTIK: a triple-bill of contemporary dance performances choreographed by Toowoomba dancer Jacob Watton.

The young performers will open the triple-bill with their performance of

Human/e, a 20 minute contemporary dance work premiering to Toowoomba audiences from tomorrow until Saturday.

TRIPTIK will be performed at the iconic Empire Theatre’s Studio Performance Venue at 7:30pm each night.

The eight young women performing the dance work have all been dancing for more than ten years and currently study at Toowoomba’s premiere dance school, Dance Central.

The majority of the cast is made up of graduating high school seniors, with TRIPTIK as their last performance in the Toowoomba region before they jet off to begin their professional training in dance. Human/e is about what it means to be an Australian, celebrating our inclusive culture where, “I am, you are, we are Australian”.

This dance work asks the young performers to understand their part of this culture as young Australians in this vibrant, diverse community.

TRIPTIK performer Year 12 student Sarah McCarthy and fellow cast member Taylor Seymour, have recently accepted positions in the prestigious Sydney Dance Company Pre-Professional training program

“TRIPTIK has given me a chance to experience the professional dance industry,” Ms McCarthy said, adding that it had been an important stepping stone before entering into a competitive arts career.

Cast member and Grade 11 Downland’s student Misty Tommei said her experience in Human/e was a chance to take on something new.

“This opportunity has granted me the ability to be part of something bigger than anything I have been a part of before,” Ms Tommei said.

“Coming from a background of ballet and contemporary dance, the opportunity to work with such talented artists in a piece much longer than I have ever attempted has challenged and extended me.”

For more details and to purchase tickets visit www. empire theatre .com.au or call 1300 655 299.

PHOTO: KIRSTY LEE CONTEMPORARY: Emerging Toowoomba dance performers (from left) Emma Andrews, Eden Barker, Ella Coleborn, Madeline Cybulski, Taylor Seymour, Sarah McCarthy, Laura McCosker and Misty Tommei performing in TRIPTIK.