In this adrenaline-fueled explosion of extreme urban sports, dance, music, and theatre, the Netherlands’ ISH Dance Collective creates breathtaking poetry.
Elements of Freestyle is about those redeeming seconds that make a complicated trick ultimately succeed, about the freestylers’ total focus on the moment, the ecstasy, and the feeling of complete and total freedom.
Elements of Freestyle is about those redeeming seconds that make a complicated trick ultimately succeed; about the freestylers’ total focus, the feeling of complete and total freedom, and the ecstasy when they land it.
This show is a liberating and uplifting experience that we’ve been lucky to share with people all around the world. Our collective is so excited to bring our bold vision to one of the most famous festivals on the planet and shake up everyone’s expectations of what happens inside the theatre!
Marco Gerris
In a spectacular fusion of breakdance, inline skating, skateboarding, freestyle basketball, BMX, and parkour, the audience discovers the artistry behind the trick. Simultaneously both exquisitely beautiful and heart-poundingly exciting, director Marco Gerris’ (So You Think You Can Dance) show packs a punch. You simply will not believe your eyes.
Whether you float on ballet shoes or on skates, with ISH, it’s all dance.
Creator/Writer Marco Gerris
Director Marco Gerris
Set Design
Jerry Beckers (Solos International)
Graphic Design Set Donald Beekman
Composers Rik Ronner
Annie Tangberg
Vera van der Bie
Lighting Designer Mike den Ottolander
Sound Designer
Jan Willem Cru
(in order of appearance)
Sven Boekhorst (inline skate)
Jelle Briggeman (inline skate)
Pim Wouters (skateboard)
Arnold Put (breakdance)
Annie Tangberg (cello)
Michael van Beek (freestyle basketball)
Siebe van de Spijker (parkour)
Dietrich Pott (breakdance)
Vera van der Bie (violin)
Vera van der Bie (viool)
Juan Niebles (BMX)
Matilde Tommasini (breakdance)
Inspired by the styles of the streets, ISH has been bringing hip-hop dance and urban sports to theatre for almost 25 years. Performances combine contemporary street forms with traditional disciplines, such as ballet, theatre, and classical music. ISH is a collective of those who can think differently, free of formats and restrictions, united by the notion that boundaries are futile. United by the realisation that borders do not exist, ISH creates dance out of elements that are not immediately recognisable. Besides the performances, there are programmes through ISH Academy, ISH Community, and ISH Talent, which focus on children and youth, new talent, and the hip-hop community.
Artistic Director
Louise Bezzina
CEO Charlie Cush
Marketing and Communications Director
Michael Adams
Director of Partnerships Fabienne Cooke
Program Director Bella Ford
Chief Financial Officer/Company Secretary Claire Hooper
Technical Director Tim Pack
Administration Manager Justine Robins
Acknowledging the Brisbane Festival project team and the Brisbane Powerhouse staff and crew who’ve contributed to the making and delivery of this work as part of the 2025 festival.