WHAT IS MERGE?

MERGE DANCE THEATRE IS A YOUTH CONTEMPORARY COMPANY AIMING TO BRIDGE
THE GAP BETWEEN DANCE SCHOOLS AND PROFESSIONAL COMPANIES.

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.

LATEST AWARDS

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH DANCE

NOMINATION

AUSTRALIAN DANCE AWARDS 2018

‘ADJUDICATOR’S CHOICE’ AWARD 2015, 2016 & 2017

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.

DEANNA
CASTELLANA

MERGE DANCE THEATRE
DIRECTOR

ALANA
SARGENT

MERGE DANCE THEATRE
GUEST TEACHER

TIMOTHY
HILL

MERGE DANCE THEATRE
DRAMATURG

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

TRAINING + REHEARSALS

Rehearsals for MERGE take place on Saturdays at 4 – 7pm, 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 either the first or second week of the September school holidays (TBC) in preparation for the performance.

MERGE Dance Theatre’s end of season production will take place at the beginning of term 4.

END OF SEASON PRODUCTION

12

SAT, OCTOBER
2019

13

SUN, OCTOBER
2019

NEXT ROUND OF AUDITIONS

Auditions are open to dance students 13 years and over (age as at Jan 1, 2020), with students meeting the minimum Ballet level requirement of Intermediate or equivalent.

Auditions will be held on Sunday, 16th February from 10.30am – 12pm (registration at 10am) at Promenade Dance Studio, 26 Glentanna Street, Kedron.

16

SUN, FEBRUARY
2020

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.

AUDITION APPLICATION

MERGE TRAINING PROGRAM

MERGE TRAINING PROGRAM is designed for students aged from 9–11 years (Junior) and for students aged from 12–14 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 9.30am – 11.00am commencing term 2 and running through to end of term 3 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.

Within this time, students will partake in contemporary training with Deanna Castellana (Artistic Director), Alana Sargent (Expressions Dance Company) 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.

MTP performers will be required for a one-week dance intensive in either the 1st or 2nd week of the September school holidays (TBC) in preparation for the performance. The end of season production will take place at the beginning of term 4 (dates TBA).

COST:

$25 per rehearsal day (this cost does not include costumes for the end of season performance). Fees are payable by the term or every 4 weeks and will be invoiced to you via email.