MIND BODY DANCE
MERGE is the ideal company for aspiring young dancers who are looking for challenging, explorative and technical work that will give them the knowledge and understanding of what is involved in the contemporary dance industry.
The vision for MERGE is to enhance and develop the artistic individuality in each dancer, challenging them to explore and create contemporary dance while collaborating with some of Australia’s leading contemporary artists.
MERGE aims to extend and engage young artists to be independent, creative and confident in their contemporary dance abilities with the goal of developing their performance skills to that of a professional standard.
AWARDS
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH DANCE
NOMINATION (Uninvited Guest)
AUSTRALIAN DANCE AWARDS 2017
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH DANCE
NOMINATION AND SHORT-LISTED (Dis/Connect)
AUSTRALIAN DANCE AWARDS 2018
‘ADJUDICATOR’S CHOICE’ AWARD 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019
DEANNA CASTELLANA’S CHOREOGRAPHY
BRISBANE DANCE EISTEDDFOD
MEET THE TEAM
Under the expert guidance of specialised teachers, MERGE Dance Theatre works with many industry professionals, bringing the best of contemporary dance to our performers.
GUEST TEACHERS
OUR MISSION
To educate and challenge young, aspiring dancers to become independent and professional contemporary dance artists.
To incorporate dance, choreographic skills, improvisation skills, collaboration work, partner work and acting skills into rehearsal and performance.
To create new and exciting work for the ambitious and contemporary driven young artist / choreographer.
To inspire and challenge audiences to understand and embrace the contemporary dance art form.
To create a bridge between dance schools and professional companies.
To bring together likeminded young dancers who are looking for challenging, explorative, and technical work that will give them the knowledge and understanding of what is involved in the contemporary dance industry.
MERGE DANCE THEATRE
Senior company
TRAINING + REHEARSALS
Rehearsals for MERGE take place on Saturdays at 4:30 – 7:30pm, Promenade Dance Studio, 26 Glentanna Street, Kedron.
Within this time, students will partake in contemporary training with Deanna Castellana and guest teachers from within the contemporary dance industry.
The program will also include developing choreographic skills and rehearsals for MERGE’s end of season production.
MERGE performers will be required for a one-week dance intensive in the first week of the September school holidays in preparation for the performance. While dancers may not be required for all of this week, we ask that you keep this time aside until the rehearsal schedule is released. Compulsory dress rehearsal will then fall on the first Monday (public holiday) back in term 4.
MERGE Dance Theatre’s end of season production will take place the weekend of 17th and 18th October (Sunday show TBC).
END OF SEASON PRODUCTION
NEXT ROUND OF AUDITIONS
Auditions are open to dance students 14 years and over (age as at Jan 1st), with students meeting the minimum Ballet level requirement of Intermediate or equivalent.
Auditions will be held on:
Sunday, 22nd February 2026
9.00 – 9.30am: Senior Registration
9.30 – 11.30am: Senior Audition Class
Promenade Dance Studio
26 Glentanna Street, Kedron
Can’t make the audition? Please send through any contemporary videos / class work / solo performance to deanna@mergedancetheatre.com.au to be considered for our senior company.
Please come dressed in appropriate Contemporary dance attire that shows clear body lines (no baggy clothing please).
To apply for an audition, click the link below and answer the questions provided. We will be in contact with you shortly after receiving your completed audition application.
Senior Company – all-inclusive cost $1,750
- 3-hour weekly rehearsals from 4.30 – 7.30pm (commencing Saturday, 14th March)
- Dance Intensive week – Monday, 21st September to Saturday, 26th September (attendance compulsory)
- Dress rehearsal – Monday 5th October (Public Holiday)
- Costume hire
- Professional headshot
- Merge memorabilia shirt
Fees are payable in 2 Instalments. First instalment due after first week of commencement of Senior Company rehearsals and second instalment due at the beginning of July. Invoices will be sent to you via email.
Not Included:
- Compulsory Merge uniform jacket for all new company members (sized and ordered week 1 of rehearsals)
- Photos / video of performance
MERGE TRAINING PROGRAM
MERGE TRAINING PROGRAM is designed for students aged from 9 to 11 years (Junior) and for students aged from 12 to 14 years (Intermediate) to get a head start on the skills required to be part of the full company – MERGE DANCE THEATRE.
MERGE TRAINING PROGRAM is the ideal company for aspiring young dancers who are looking for challenging, explorative, and technical work that will give them the knowledge and understanding of what is involved in the contemporary dance industry.
The vision for MTP is to engage these dancers at a young age and give them a head start on the skills required in exploring choreography, collaborating with guest artists and being challenged outside their comfort zone. These skills will set them up to succeed in being independent and creative artists. MTP will accelerate the skills required for young artists to feel comfortable in the creation and exploration of contemporary dance in advance of full company work.
TRAINING + REHEARSALS
Junior 9–11 years
Rehearsals for MTP students aged 9–11 years (Junior) will take place on Sunday mornings from 9.00am – 11.00am commencing term 3 and running through to the beginning of term 4 at Promenade Dance Studio, 26 Glentanna Street, Kedron.
Intermediate 12–14 years
Rehearsals for MTP students aged 12–14 years (Intermediate) will take place on Saturday evenings from 5.00pm – 6.30pm commencing term 2 and running through to end of term 3 at Promenade Dance Studio, 26 Glentanna Street, Kedron.
Click image to enlarge
Within this time, students will partake in contemporary training with Deanna Castellana (Artistic Director) and guest teachers from within the contemporary dance industry. The program will also include developing choreography and rehearsing for MERGE’s end of season production.
MERGE performers will be required for a one-week dance intensive in the first week of the September school holidays in preparation for the performance. While dancers may not be required for all of this time, we ask that you keep this time aside until rehearsal schedule is released. Compulsory dress rehearsal will then fall on Monday 5th October (public holiday).
MERGE Dance Theatre’s end of season production will take place the weekend of 17th & 18th October (Intermediate dancers will be required for theatre rehearsal on the afternoon of Friday, 16th October).
NEXT ROUND OF AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held at Promenade Dance Studio,
26 Glentanna Street, Kedron.
Intermediate
Sunday, 22nd February 2026
11.30 – 12.00pm: Intermediate Registration
12.00 – 1.30pm: Intermediate Audition Class
Junior
Sunday, 14th June 2026
9.30 – 10.00am: Junior Registration
10.00 – 11.30am: Junior Audition Class
To apply for an audition, click the link below and answer the questions provided.
We will be in contact with you shortly after receiving your completed audition application.
Please come dressed in appropriate Contemporary dance attire that shows clear body lines (no baggy clothing please).
Missed our auditions?
Please contact deanna@mergedancetheatre.com.au
to organise an alternate audition.
Intermediate Training Program
all-inclusive cost $1,300
- 1.5 hour weekly rehearsals from 5.00 – 6.30pm (commencing Saturday, 25th April)
- Dance Intensive week – Monday, 21st September to Saturday, 26th September (attendance compulsory)
- Dress rehearsal – Monday, 5th October (Public Holiday)
- Costume hire
- Professional headshot
- Merge memorabilia shirt
Fees are payable in 2 Instalments. First instalment due after first week of commencement and second instalment sent Monday, 13th July. Invoices will be sent to you via email.
Not Included:
- Compulsory Merge uniform jacket for all new company members (sized and ordered week 1 of rehearsals)
- Photos / video of performance
Junior Training Program
all-inclusive cost $750
- Weekly contemporary rehearsals from 9.00 – 11.00am (commencing Sunday, 19th July)
- Dance Intensive week – Monday, 21st September to Friday, 25th September (attendance compulsory)
- Dress rehearsal – Monday, 5th October (Public Holiday)
- Costume hire
- Professional headshot
- Merge memorabilia shirt
Fees are payable for Junior Company, Monday, 3rd August (invoices will be sent to you via email on this day).
Not Included:
- Compulsory Merge uniform jacket for all new company members (sized and ordered week 1 of rehearsals)
- Photos / video of performance
Repertoire
Explore MERGE Dance Theatre’s end of season production shows.
