Bespoke
gundirgan, wise woman
Birds of Paradise
Papillon
25 JULY – 3 AUGUST 2024
TALBOT THEATRE
THOMAS DIXON CENTRE
From the Artistic Director
This year’s Bespoke program is a captivating mix of original and thought-provoking premières by renowned Australian and international choreographers.
New works are vital to a ballet company’s repertoire, bringing fresh perspectives and stories to the dancers and audiences alike. We are excited to share three very different works with you in this Bespoke season that I am certain will entertain and inspire us all.
It has been wonderful to have Katina Olsen, Milena Sidorova, and Jack Lister join us in the studios this year, and what a joy to see our dancers collaborate with these talented choreographers during rehearsals.
We continue to be grateful to the State and Federal Governments, our Partners, and our family of donors for your generous support in enabling us to share our art form.
Finally, thank you to you, our audience, for joining us on this exploration of innovation and creativity. I hope you enjoy the
Leanne Benjamin OBE AM Artistic Director
Katina’s gundirgan, wise woman is our inaugural First Nations work for Bespoke, and we are proud to share this story of cultural significance. The score, composed by Seán O’Boyle AM and Chris Williams, and performed live onstage with Southern Cross Soloists is a beautiful addition to the piece.
We are delighted to have Milena Sidorova join us from the Dutch National Ballet — her first time choreographing for Queensland Ballet. Milena’s Birds of Paradise explores the universal quest for love and connection — a theme that relates to us all.
Acclaimed choreographer Jack Lister is no stranger to Queensland Ballet, having danced and choreographed with us in previous years. This time, he collaborates with composer Louis Frere-Harvey to create the enthralling new work Papillon for our Jette Parker Young Artists.
Thank you, Katina, Milena and Jack, for sharing your vibrant imaginations and creativity with us. Thank you also to the wider team of incredible collaborators for bringing these works to life through the magic of costumes, lighting, music and design.
Photography Jason Bell.
Cover: Principal Artist Patricio Revé, Soloist Laura Tosar and Company Artist Edison Manuel.
Photography David Kelly.
Credits
gundirgan, wise woman
Choreographer
Katina Olsen
Music
Music performed and commissioned by Southern Cross Soloists (SXS) and the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project, composed by Seán O’Boyle AM and Chris Williams, featuring Wakka Wakka didgeridoo soloist and SXS Artist in Residence, Chris Williams
Cultural Consultants
Uncle Prof. Kevin Williams, Aunty Sue-Ann Williams, Aunty Patricia Lieschke and Chris Williams
Costume Designer
Noelene Hill
Lighting Designer
Ben Hughes
Birds of Paradise
Choreographer
Milena Sidorova
Music
Lagrene Bireli, Schwandt W/Andre F/Kahn G, Dom la Nena, Le bars Hugues Yves, Presley E/Matson V, Schubert F/Mueller W, Django Reinhardt, Yorgui Loeffler
Costume Design collaboration by Milena Sidorova and Timothy Corne
Lighting Designer
Ben Hughes
Papillon
Choreographer
Jack Lister
Music
Louis Frere-Harvey
Costume Design collaboration by Jack Lister and Zoe Griffiths
Lighting Designer
Ben Hughes
Duration: Approximately two hours and 20 minutes including two 20-minute intervals.
Queensland Ballet acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we train and perform. Long before we arrived on this land, it played host to the dance expression of our First Nations Peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the valuable contribution they have made and continue to make to the cultural landscape of this country.
Principal Artist Patricio Revé and Soloist Laura Tosar. Photography David Kelly.
About the Choreographers
Katina
As a teen dancer, Katina Olsen (Wakka Wakka Kombumerri) was told she was “too tan” and endured her skin being patted down with light makeup to fit a more desirable classical aesthetic. Twenty-four years on, we see that same brown skinned Murri, Katina, navigating her time between Co-Artistic Directing for Dance Makers Collective (DMC) and proudly gracing national and international stages as an independent performer, choreographer and actor. Using her platform to disrupt the stagnated Western canon, performance and academy, she brings focus to elevating First Nations dance methodologies as a vehicle for climate justice.
Her trajectory as a maker and cultural activator has seen her forge her way through an often unassailable industry as an independent, especially a blak independent, to create work for over ten years. Katina is currently developing her most significant contemporary dance work to date, Preparing Ground, with co-directors Marilyn Miller and Jasmin Sheppard. Initiated in 2019, the lifelong endeavour has been developing on Country with Elders and community since 2020. Produced by BlakDance, Preparing Ground is supported through the Major Festivals Initiative as a work of scale and is considered to be pushing the edges of what is possible as an independent First Nations dance artist.
As well as regularly collaborating with major companies, small to medium organisations and independent artists, Katina is also an alumni of Creative Australia 2022/23 Future Leaders, and BlakDance’s 2015 Dana Waranara and 2020 BlakForm programs. She takes pride in informally mentoring a number of First Nations dance artists transitioning to the independent dance community and in doing so, sharing her knowledge with the next generation.
Jack Lister Choregrapher
Milena Sidorova is an award-winning Ukrainian-Dutch choreographer and Young Creative Associate at the renowned Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam. Her world-famous choreography The Spider has been performed all over the globe and received almost 20 million views on YouTube alone. She directed the ballet film Rose and worked on the Oscar-winning movie Dune
Sidorova has created 25+ choreographies and is praised for her original voice, delighting audiences with “inventive, playful and skin-tingling” works of a consistent quality. While most of her works were created for the Dutch National Ballet, many have been selected for stages across Europe and other parts of the world.
Jack Lister is an award-winning Australian creator; a choreographer, dancer, and filmmaker working across stage, screen and immersive theatre.
After graduating from The Australian Ballet School, Jack joined Queensland Ballet in 2014 performing and originating many featured roles in the vast classical ballet and contemporary repertoire. In 2020, Jack joined the Australasian Dance Collective (ADC), performing and creating works by luminary makers and important emerging voices in the contemporary dance landscape.
After creating his first work for Queensland Ballet in 2015, Lister quickly established a name as a “unique and original” maker, recognised in The Australian as “a young choreographer who is going places.” With an extensive portfolio of work made for Queensland Ballet and Australasian Dance Collective, Lister has also created
internationally for the Birmingham Royal Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet, presenting creations throughout Australia, United Kingdom, USA, China and Germany to critical and audience acclaim. In collaboration with Director Ryan Renshaw, Jack’s film works have been screened globally at multiple prestigious film festivals, garnering numerous awards.
In January 2024, Jack was appointed as Associate Artistic Director of ADC.
Milena Sidorova Choregrapher
Olsen Choregrapher
gundirgan, wise woman
Celebrating the extraordinary life of Wakka Wakka woman Aunty Maureen Williams, we follow her life from a young child growing up in the bush speaking fluent Wakka Wakka, to walking between two worlds. These were her Culture and working as a domestic servant from the age of 10, so that generations after her would be free from the poverty she faced as an Aboriginal woman.
Opening with the spirit of our sacred place, Ban Ban Springs, witnessing the unbroken practice of passing on Cultural knowledge from generation to generation. From the hard yakka and adversity, she faced, we see the resilience she gained from Country, her Culture and her commitment to open the doors for the generations after her.
Aunty Maureen believed that having a good education together with a strong work ethic would build a solid foundation to achieve great things in life. Today, as a result of her remarkable vision, strength and steadfast determination, we see her incredible generational legacy with five of her seven children having university degrees (some multiple), the majority of her grandchildren and now even great grandchildren, having all completed university.
I’d like to acknowledge Uncle Professor Kevin Williams, Aunty Sue-Ann Williams, Aunty Patricia Lieschke and Chris Williams for their Cultural guidance and entrusting myself, Tara and Queensland Ballet to perform this story.
Immense gratitude to Aunty Maureen Williams and all our Blak matriarchs for rising against incredible adversity to break open the gates so that we all may thrive.
gundirgan is the Wakka Wakka language name for female clever person.
- Katina Olsen
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders viewers are advised the following performance may contain images of people who have died, as per the Williams family’s request.
“In the early days of creation, Kat encouraged a lot of our own improvisation and building of phrases...the studio always seemed to be brimming with enthusiasm and ideas flowing out of every dancer.”
- Company Artist, Ines Hargreaves
“Upon arrival [to Ban Ban Springs], the emotional energy was palpable. We removed our shoes and felt the earth under our feet, dipped our fingers into the bubbling springs, and shared stories of Aunty Maureen Williams.”
- Company Artist, Ines Hargreaves
Queensland Ballet dancers and Katina Olsen on Country and in rehearsal. Photography Angharad Gladding.
Birds of Paradise
What if the mesmerising behaviors of birds-of-paradise mirrored our own search for companionship? The courtship rituals of these magnificent birds, such as the elaborate dances, intricate nest building, and vivid displays - are more than just a natural spectacle; they reflect our own search for connection and love.
In the same way that birds-of-paradise dress up in their finest feathers and perform captivating dances to attract mates, humans engage in similar rituals. Whether it’s dressing up to impress, competing for attention, building lasting partnerships, or navigating the world of online dating, these birds remind us that the quest for companionship is a universal dance.
This ballet celebrates our search for attraction, connection, and the universal quest for love and belonging. While inspired by the captivating behaviors of birds-of-paradise, it is ultimately a celebration of beauty and complexity of our shared humanness.
- Milena Sidorova
“The audience can expect colourful imagery and I hope they will also be able to resonate with their own human experiences.”
- Choreographer, Milena Sidorova
Queensland Ballet dancers and Milena Sidorova in rehearsal.
Photography Jakob Perrett.
Papillon
Two halves of a whole. Forever and never again.
- Jack Lister
Papillon Score
My intent for the first ten minutes of the work was to create a very slow brooding atmosphere, using traditional western classical instruments performed with unconventional techniques. As this section progresses, the instruments are pushed and squeaked to create a sense of tension and ugliness within what might be conceived as a beautiful state. This is an attempt to indicate the papillon’s struggle through its first two phases of life, the egg and the larva. Whilst it will inevitably transform through metamorphosis into a winged beauty, the path there is slow and relatively ugly.
A two-minute interlude follows. Jack hits the audience with a quick play in symmetry, creating a mirrored kaleidoscopic effect within the choreography. The accompanying sounds were developed from imagining a butterfly larva pushing, scratching, squirming and pulling within the pupa, achieved through utilising the instruments from the first section and exploring what might happen when pushed to their limits.
Human voices are also introduced here for the first time. Assisting the dancers to feel attached to the music whilst they are moving is my ultimate goal, and what better way than to have their recorded voices within the score!
We then proceed to the final ten minutes of the work, which is papillon in its final metamorphosed form. This section is rhythmic, textural, colourful and energetic, just a sample of the nuance required to represent a papillon exiting the cocoon for its first time, absorbing the world as if emerging from Plato’s cave. The music here is designed to push and pull the dancers through the space, as if they’re flying as one giant symmetrical, kaleidoscopic being.
None of what I just said is true. We attach meaning to work however we desire when we experience something for the first time. How will you find meaning in this score?
Queensland Ballet dancers and Jack Lister in rehearsal.
Photography Jakob Perrett.
Louis Frere-Harvey Composer
Southern Cross Soloists
Patron - The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO
Oboe/Cor Anglais – Shana Hoshino
Violin – Margaret Blades^ / Jason Tong
Viola – Raquel Bastos
Cello – Guillaume Wang
Piano – Roger Cui
Didgeridoo – Chris Williams*
Gurri Ngindin Narmi sung by Aunty Maureen Williams.
Cultural Consultants – Uncle Prof. Kevin Williams
Co-Artistic Directors – Dr Ashley Smith and Margaret Blades
General Manager – Maxine Williamson
Production Manager – Nikhil Deo
Recording Technology Partner – Moravian University
^ Acting Co-Artistic Director with Dr Ashley Smith for Southern Cross Soloists
* Chris Williams appears as the SXS Didgeridoo Artist in Residence and Co-Composer of gundirgan, wise woman alongside Seán O’Boyle AM as part of the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project 2022 — 2032.
Our gratitude goes to Marion Pender for generously supporting the Southern Cross Soloists collaboration in this production.
The SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project 2022 — 2032 (2024) is funded through the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
gundirgan, wise woman Score
In 2015, Seán O’Boyle AM was honoured with the Order of Australia for his contributions to music. He has maintained a fruitful artistic collaboration spanning 29 years with the Southern Cross Soloists (SXS), during which he has penned numerous compositions and arrangements for the ensemble, initially an emerging eclectic group.
Among his recent endeavours, Seán partnered with Chris Williams to champion the Didgeridoo Commissioning Project (DCP) for SXS, culminating in gundirgan, wise woman, their latest commission.
Seán’s association with Queensland Ballet began in 2004 with Cloudland for the Brisbane Festival. gundirgan, wise woman marks the seventh collaboration over two decades.
He holds a deep fascination with Indigenous Australian music, notably collaborating with didgeridoo virtuoso William Barton in 2001 to compose the acclaimed Concerto for Didgeridoo and Orchestra, ranked #32 in ABC Classic FM’s “The Classic 100 Concertos.”
Chris Williams, Artist in Residence with SXS and a proud Wakka Wakka man, is recognised as one of Australia’s foremost Didgeridoo soloists. Originally a trumpeter, Chris has performed with orchestras globally. Joining with SXS, Chris has embarked on an ambitious decade-long project (2022 to 2032), collaborating with composers to create 30 new works for didgeridoo and SXS.
Current DCP composers include Seán O’Boyle AM, John Rotar, Leah Curtis, Joe Twist, Matthew Dewey, James Morrison AM, John Jorgenson, Stephen Leek, and Lachlan Skipworth.
Seán reflects on the creation of their ballet, gundirgan, wise woman, inspired by Chris Williams’ Grandmother, Aunty Maureen Williams. Seán shares: “I was honoured to co-compose this new work based on the extraordinary life of a remarkable Wakka Wakka woman who touched so many lives.”
Drawing from narratives shared by Aunty Maureen’s children – Uncle Kevin, Auntie Pat, and grandson Chris – we crafted a composition which journeys from Ban Ban Springs, domestic service, hard yakka, Longreach showgrounds, with a poignant remembrance section.
The ending rushes to the family’s future, as we behold the sky and never-ending possibilities. We wish to pay tribute to retired SXS Artistic Director, Tania Frazer OAM, for her visionary leadership and pivotal role in driving the DCP forward, as well as her integral contribution to establishing the collaboration between SXS and Queensland Ballet.
Photography Darren Thomas.
Our Dancers
Principal Artists
Patricio Revé
Alexander Idaszak
Neneka Yoshida
Lucy Green Yanela Piñera
Senior Soloists
Soloists
First Company Artists
Chiara Gonzalez Kohei Iwamoto
Vito Bernasconi Lina Kim
Georgia Swan Laura Tosar
Sophie Zoricic
Rian Thompson
Vanessa Morelli
D’Arcy Brazier
David Power
Libby-Rose Niederer
Ivan Surodeev
Luke DiMattina
Company Artists
Luca Armstrong Mali Comlekci
Shaun Curtis
Kaho Kato
Ines Hargreaves
Dylan Lackey
Bronte Kielly-Coleman
Renee Freeman Heidi Freeman
Lewis Formby
Callum Mackie
Briana McAllen Edison Manuel
Amber Mitchell-Knight Frederick Montgomery
Joshua Ostermann
Isabella Swietlicki
Kayla Van Den Bogert
Ari Thompson
Brooke Ray
Paige Rochester Leisel Rose
Jessica Stratton-Smith
Alisa Pukkinen
Eliza Wenham
Clayton Forsyth
Sean Ferenczi
Jette Parker Young Artists
The Jette Parker Young Artist Program is generously supported by Oak Foundation, Barbara Bedwell, Marietjie & Keith Brown, Darren & Carmel Brown, Brett Clark AM & Maria Clark, Dr Ben Duke & Ms Cate Heyworth-Smith KC, FA & MA Pidgeon, Frazer Family Foundation, Goldburg Family Foundation, Patricia Macdonald Memorial Foundation, CP Morris Fund at the APS Foundation, and Liz & Graeme Wikman.
Pre-Professional Program Dancers Guest
Artists
Artistic and Music Staff
Greg Horsman Assistant Artistic
Zenia Tàtcheva Ballet
Corina Poh
Gina Lee
Ethan Mrmacovski
Milana Gould
Annabelle McCoy
Joshua Douglas
Alyssa Park
Taron Geyl
Seth Marshall
Ashlee Basford
Jack Jones
Joseph Moss
Jenson Blight
Tara Robinson (Mingunberri) Performs the role of Aunty Maureen Williams in gundirgan, wise woman
Eli Southurst
Jillian Vanstone Ballet Mistress
Matthew Lawrence Ballet Master
Christian Tàtchev Director of Queensland Ballet Academy
Natalie Weir Resident Choreographer
Nigel Gaynor Music Director & Principal Conductor
Director
Mistress
Yolande Brown (Bidjara) Understudy for Aunty Maureen Williams in gundirgan, wise woman
Our Supporters
We gratefully acknowledge all who have supported Queensland Ballet so far. Our family of supporters all play a vital part in helping Queensland Ballet enrich lives through the beauty and joy of ballet. Philanthropy is what enables us to share the gift of ballet with communities in Queensland and beyond, to make the greatest impact, and to create a legacy for future generations to access and enjoy ballet.
VISIONARIES
The Ian Potter Foundation
Oak Foundation
Anonymous (1)
In loving memory of Kay Van Norton Poche AO
Mr Roy Thompson AC & Mrs Nola Thompson
Mr Trevor St Baker AO & Mrs Judith St Baker
Amanda Talbot
QB FOREVER - ENDOWMENT FUND
DONORS
Kay Van Norton Poche AO, enabling Van Norton Li Community Health Institute at Queensland Ballet
Roy Thompson AO & Mrs Nola Thompson
John and Noni Calleija, Calleija Jewellers
Mrs Libby Albert with loving memory of Mr Robert Albert AO
Prof Ashley Goldsworthy AO OBE KSS KM
Cathie Reid & Stuart Giles
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE (GIFTS $100,000+)
In loving memory of Veronika Butta
Brett Clark AM & Maria Clark
Barbara Duhig
Frazer Family Foundation
Goldburg Family Foundation
Ian & Cass George
In loving memory of Lynn Harvey McLaren Family
Murphy Family Foundation
THOMAS DIXON CENTRE
ENABLERS
The Ian Potter Foundation
Ken Talbot Foundation
Clive & Conchita Armitage
Mr Trevor St. Baker AO &
Mrs Judith St. Baker
Mrs Barbara Bedwell
Brett Clark AM & Maria Clark
Mr Tim Fairfax AC & Mrs Gina Fairfax Frazer Family Foundation
Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd & Gina Rinehart
Ian & Cass George
Goldburg Family Foundation
David & Loraine McLaren
Bruce & Jill Mathieson
Murphy Family Foundation
Kay Van Norton Poche AO
Stack Family Foundation
Anne Symons
Mr Roy Thompson AC & Mrs Nola Thompson
Liz & Graeme Wikman
Mr Steve Wilson AM & Dr Jane Wilson
Our grateful thanks go to our supporters who have dedicated a Theatre Seat or Dancers’ Dressing Room Station in support of our Thomas Dixon Centre re-development. For the opportunity to Take Your Seat, please contact development@queenslandballet.com.au or 07 3013 6660.
PRINCIPAL BENEFACTORS (GIFTS $50,000+)
Barbara Bedwell
Marietjie & Keith Brown
John & Lynnly Chalk
Allan Green
The Hocking Mackie Fund
Patricia Macdonald Memorial Foundation
FA & MA Pidgeon
Mr Gerry Ryan OAM & Mrs Val Ryan
Liz & Graeme Wikman
BENEFACTORS
(GIFTS
$20,000+)
Philip Bacon AO
Mary & John Barlow
Stephen & Karyn Bizzell
Darren & Carmel Brown
Carole Byron
Robin Campbell & Bobby Valentine
Dr Frank & Dr Ailbhe Cunningham
Andrea & David Graham
The Harlyn Foundation
Hayden Attractions Pty Ltd
Frank Li & Family
Mr Li Cunxin AO & Mrs Mary Li
Dr Ben Duke &
Ms Cate Heyworth-Smith KC
CP Morris Fund at the APS
Foundation
Sam Neill
Stack Family Foundation
Mr John Story AO &
Mrs Georgina Story
Anne Symons
MUSIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
(GIFTS $15,000+)
Mrs Libby Albert with loving
memory of Mr Robert Albert AO
Kimberley Fine Diamonds
Louise Hamshere
Val & Mark Houston
Morgans Foundation
Marion Pender
Glen & Lisa Richards Family Foundation
Roger & Judith Sack
Mrs Denise Wadley OAM
David & Diana Wu
PRINCIPAL DANCERS’ CIRCLE
(GIFTS $10,000+)
Anonymous (2)
Dr Alex & Dr Nancy Chi
The Cory Charitable Foundation
Dr Gay Crebert
Deng Family
Flip
Jim & Michelle Gibson
Stuart Giles & Cathie Reid
John & Rhonda Hawkins
Gay Hull
Kay Ilett
Shirley Jackson
Andrew & Sue King
Lori Lowther
Pamela Marx
Helen & Dan McVay
Dr Cathryn Mittelheuser AM
Ms Jane Murphy & Dr Anthony Cooper
Denise O’Boyle
Roslyn Packer
Mandy & John Peden
Ross & Jennifer Perrett
Don & Katie O’Rorke
Robynne & John Siemon
Jane Stackpool & Allan Blaikie
Spicers Retreats
Nettie Stephenson &
James McGrath
SOLOISTS’ CIRCLE
(GIFTS $5,000+)
Anonymous (3)
Clive & Conchita Armitage
Philip Dubois & Leanda Elliot
Virginia McGehee Friend
Roy Hoskins
Ken Hoyle
J & M Johannessen
Andrew & Kate Lister
Nathan Sticklen with loving memory of Paula McLuskie
Peter Myska
Jessica Brockett
In loving memory of
Kathleen Nowik
Dr Andreas Obermair &
Dr Monika Janda
Colin & Noela Kratzing
The Robertson-Reid Family
Dr Diane & William Rockloff
Kristy-Lee Seaton
Sue Shadforth & Bruce Lawford
The Hon. Justice David Thomas & Mrs Jane Thomas
Judy Vulker
David & Kate Wenham
DANCERS’ CIRCLE
(GIFTS $2,500+)
Anonymous (5)
Robyn Antill
Lyndy & George Atkinson
Russell Barnett
Ian & Mary Bennie
Janelle Berlese
Betzien Duffield Family
Virginia Bishop
David & Anita Carter
Sharyn Crawford & Olive Oswald
Margot Finney
Kylie & Tony Ganko
Troy & Karelia Gianduzzo
Anita Green
Sandra Haggarty
Dr Alex Markwell & Mr Anthony Allan
Mark and Susan Middleton
D & F Peterson
The Parascos Eagles Family
Mr John B Reid AO &
Mrs Lynn Rainbow-Reid AM
Rhyl Row
Weise Family
Lee Williams
Denise & Scott Wilson
Christine Winstanley
The Weerasinghe/Neaum Family
Naomi & Gordon Wright
PATRONS’ CIRCLE
(GIFTS $1,000+)
Anonymous (18)
Wendy & Jock Kenny – Air Rite
Mechanical Services
Lisa Aliprandi
Penny Anderssen
Australian Harlequin Pty Ltd
Dr Glenise Berry &
Dr Damien Thomson
Winna Brown
Dame Quentin Bryce AD
Lucien Castand & Donald Robson
Ian Chinsee
Daniel & Sheila Clowes
Laurie Cowled
Curran Family
The Cuthbert family
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Sarah Darling
Lynette Denny AM
Robert Deshon
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Paul Henderson & Margaret Pelton
Catherine & David Hewett
Roslyn & Peter Keay
Nicole Klein & Emma Hilkemeijer
Patricia Jackson
Ian Klug
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Ross & Sophia Lamont
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Sheldon Lieberman
Katrina Lines
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Elizabeth Macintosh
Philip & Margaret McMurdo
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J Paterson
Deanna & Michael Power
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Pam Varcoe
Luke Wallace
Dr Frances Ware
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Danielle & Schuyler Weiss
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SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS & BURSARIES
Ergon Energy & Energex Scholarship
Queensland Department of Education
Queensland Ballet Friends
ADFAS Brisbane
ADFAS Gold Coast
Paulette Carson Trust, managed by
Perpetual Trustees
Ruth Lane Memorial Bursary
Khitercs Hirai Foundation
Prof Ashley Goldsworthy AO OBE KSS KM
Glen Holland
Allison Baden-Clay Scholarship
CHARLES LISNER CIRCLE
Realised Bequest
Kaye Brain Dance Education Fund
Isabell Honor Hall Maynard
Dr Alf Howard
Ruth Lane
Lesley Merle Williams
Notified Bequest
Anonymous (3)
Russell Barnett
Dr Sheena Burnell
Lucien Castand & Donald Robson
David De Verelle-Hill
Nigel & Diana Gaynor
Kristine George
Louise Hamshere
Dr James McGown
Desmond B Misso Esq
Prof. Phillip Morris
Mr Peter Myska
Kathleen Nowik
Mrs Lynn Rainbow-Reid AM
Anthea Steans
Jane Steinberg
Julie Vellacott
Dr Valmae Ypinazar & Prof. Stephen Margolis OAM
SUPPORTERS
Gifts (959)
In addition to the many generous individuals, trusts and foundations, our grateful thanks go to every supporter who has donated to Queensland Ballet.
Your support helps us to achieve our ambitious vision to enrich lives.
If you would like to know more about how you can be involved in Queensland Ballet’s philanthropic program, please call 07 3013 6660, email development@queenslandballet.com.au or visit queenslandballet.com.au/support
Donate now
PAGE QueenslandTITLEBallet
Queensland Ballet was founded in 1960 by Charles Lisner OBE.
PATRON
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair
Brett Clark AM
Directors
Julieanne Alroe
David Carter
Cameron Costello
Luke Fraser
Susannah George
Alison de Groot
Ian Klug AM
Danielle McFall-Weiss
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Brett Clark AM
Marlene Collins
Pauline Crowe
Lynette Denny AM
Prof. Ashley Goldsworthy AO OBE
Kevin Hodges
Patrick Kelly
François Klaus
Valerie Lisner
Margaret Lucas OAM
John Matthews
Dr Neil McCormack
Adjunct Prof. Joan Sheldon AM
Neil Summerson AM
EXECUTIVE
Artistic Director
Leanne Benjamin OBE AM
Executive Director
Dilshani Weerasinghe
Assistant Artistic Director
Greg Horsman
DIRECTORS
Director of Audience & Visitor Experience
Lisa Summer-Hayes
Director of Capital Works and Facilities
Lucas Gilroy
Director of Development & Endowment
Rachael Walsh
Director of Finance & Operations
Geoff Walshaw
Director of Production Services
Shaun O’Rourke
Director of Queensland Ballet Academy
Christian Tàtchev
Director, Van Norton Li Community Health
Institute
Zara Gomes
Executive Producer
Craig Cathcart
Music Director & Principal Conductor
Nigel Gaynor
ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
Company Manager
Darcy Boyd
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Head of Production
Don Mackenzie
Production Stage Manager
Nicole Alexander
Assistant Stage Manager
Bella Wilkinson
Head Mechanist
Ben Marcolin
Deputy Head Mechanist
Sam Packer
Production Mechanist
Hasen Degabrodt
Lighting Design Operator
Lauren Sallaway
Head Electrician
Matthew Alan
Head of Costume
Lauryn Jackson
Costume Workroom Manager
Kathi Lionheart
Principal Cutters
Saffron Firkins
Anna Ilic
Erin Krosch
Costumier / Milliner &
Costume Administration Assistant
Vicki Martin
Costumiers
Karen Blinco
Bethany Cordwell
Ana Draca Hilan
Isabelle Lacombe
Ella Lollback
Michelle Potts
Frances Pyper
Ai Shaw
Chiahui Tseng
Costume Assistant
Lieze Mulder
Costume Theatre Supervisor
Sarah Parker
Theatre Dresser / Maintenance
Bethany Cordwell
Wig, Hair, and Makeup Supervisor
Micheal Green
Shoe Coordinator
Amanda Newman
Art Finisher
Elsbeth Cameron
Principal Pianist
Roger Cui
PERFORMANCE HEALTH TEAM
Head of Performance Health
Michelle White
Company Physiotherapist
Renee Meffan
Company Massage Therapist
Pedro Alcobio
Pilates Instructor
Catherine Neal
Strength Coach
Tony Lewis
To view our full staff list, please visit queenslandballet.com.au/discover/company/staff
On Yuggera and Turrbal Country
From its beginnings in 1908 as a boot and shoe factory, the heritage-listed Thomas Dixon Centre has been transformed into a world-class performing arts destination and cultural precinct, abundant with stories and home of Queensland Ballet. It features a state-of-the-art theatre, stunning public art, community dance studios, and will soon unfold a beautiful café, and bars. With a WELL Platinum Certification the Thomas Dixon Centre has health and wellbeing at its heart.
The Talbot Theatre at the Thomas Dixon Centre is an extraordinary performance space, where stories are shared, creativity flourishes, and connections between artists and audiences are forged.
The revitalisation of the Thomas Dixon Centre is an extraordinary story of passion, tenacity and altruism. Queensland Ballet, a not-for-profit arts company, chose to refurbish its heritage home, not only to house its own artists and arts workers for years to come, but to create a vibrant space for its neighbours, sector and wider community.
Discover more about the Thomas Dixon Centre at thomasdixoncentre.com.au and see stories unfold.
@ thomasdixoncentre
Thomas Dixon Centre
We are welcoming and accepting of people from diverse backgrounds and identities, and strive to create an accessible and inclusive environment for all.
I wouldn’t have a professional career if it weren’t for Queensland Ballet Academy. My time there transformed my understanding of dance , especially technically. The program provided me with a strong balletic base that continues to assist me every day. They also gave me the space to be me , to develop my individual expression and artistic imprint .
Samantha Grammer
Queensland Ballet Academy alumna 2023, Artist at Aalto Ballett Essen 2023
Photography David Kelly.
