Wayfinder

“Transcendental.... the hit of the festival...”
The Courier-Mail

An Exhilarating Explosion of Heart

Physical exuberance, sonic resonance, and collective exhilaration explode onto stage in a kaleidoscopic fusion of dance, music, and visual art.

Directed by Amber Haines and Kyle Page, Dancenorth Australia joins forces with three-time Grammy nominated Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron J. Scullin to create a soaring composition evoking pleasure and possibility. An undulating sound sculpture condenses and expands this scintillating score, immersing audiences in a new sonic dimension. Japanese-Australian visual artist Hiromi Tango offers her joyful, heart expanding artwork to both the stage design and costumes for this sublime new performance, featuring lighting design by Niklas Pajanti.

Speaking to our sensorial nature, Wayfinder reminds us of a state of being that transcends the words that have come to define us. Navigating bigger and more ancient reference points, Wayfinder recognises connection as the central axis of the universe.

By the stars, the waves, and the sun, we find our way.

Credits

CREATIVE CREDITS

Concept, Direction and Choreography Amber Haines and Kyle Page

Lighting Design Niklas Pajanti

Composition Hiatus Kaiyote

Sound Art and Design Byron J. Scullin

Sound Sculpture Design, Construction, and Implementation Robert Larsen and Nicholas Roux

Visual Design Hiromi Tango

Design Associate Chloe Greaves

Design Assistant Jeanette Hutchinson

Polyrhythm Consultant Naomi Jean

Performers/Choreographers Marlo Benjamin, Sabine Crompton-Ward, Nelson Earl, Tiana Lung, Damian Meredith, Darci O'Rourke, Jag Popham, Felix Sampson, Michael Smith, Latisha Sparks

Acknowledgements

Wayfinder was commissioned by Brisbane Festival and North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA). This project was made possible by Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government Initiative. Dancenorth Australia is assisted by both the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Dancenorth Australia is supported by Townsville City Council, and gratefully acknowledges the Wayfinder Giving Circle, who has supported the making of this work.

Warnings

Use of strobe lighting and loud sounds

Performance History

North Australian Festival of Arts

Gurambilbarra (Townsville City)

2022

Brisbane Festival

Meanjin (Brisbane)

2022

Cultural Presentations Section, Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Hong Kong, China

2023

Sydney Festival

Warrane and Gadigal Land/ Eora Nation (Sydney)

2024

Perth Festival

Boorloo (Perth)

2024

Queens Park Theatre

Jambinu (Geraldton)

2024

Red Earth Arts Precinct

Karratha

2024

Albany Entertainment Centre

Kinjarling (Albany)

2024

Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre

Goomburrup (Bunbury)

2024

Albury Entertainment Centre

Bungambrawatha (Albury)

2024

Mona Foma

nipaluna (Hobart)

2024

Heath Ledger Theatre

Boorloo (Perth)

2024

Ulumbarra Theatre

Dja Dja Wurrung Country / Bendigo

2024

Adelaide Festival

Kaurna (Adelaide)

2024

HOTA

Yugambeh (Gold Coast)

2024

Araluen Arts Centre, The Theatre

Mparntwe (Alice Springs)

2024

Darwin Festival

Garramilla (Darwin)

2024

Cairns Festival

Gimuy (Cairns)

2024

New Annual Festival

Mulubinba (Newcastle)

2024

Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre

Wiradjuri (Bathurst)

2024

The Art House Wyong

Darkinjung (Wyong)

2024

Alexander Theatre

Bunurong of the Kulin Nation (Clayton)

2024

Geelong Arts Centre

Djilang (Geelong)

2024

Festival Internacional Santa Lucía

Monterrey, Mexico

2024

Wayfinder Giving Circle

Dancenorth gratefully acknowledges the generous donations from the members of the Wayfinder Giving Circle, who have supported the making of Wayfinder.

Jayne and Laine Arlett

Justice Thomas Bradley & Dr Matthew Yoong

Hillary Coyne and Kyle Page

Kathryn and Cameron Deyell

Wesley Enoch AM and David McAllister AC

Ian and Cass George

Jenny Goicoechea

Sharon Lancini

Dr Maggie Mackay on behalf of the Netta and Norman Niven Endowment

Gavin Markwell

Kay, Paul, and Lucy Martinez

Joyce McLean

Dr Judith McLean

Marg Naylor and Prof. Stephen Naylor

Debbie Rains

Therese Smith

Ross Stiles

Jacinta Wight

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