Reckless Valour 2005
Through the journey of Reckless Valour we are seeking connections between history and contemporary culture. We have used The Australian War Memorial to examine what war means to Australians through its location, site, architecture, collections and symbolism. Its location draws our attention to the reality of cause and effect. “…a hauntingly unforgettable expression of a youthful perspective of the futility and tragedy of war.” Sir William Deane AC KBE QC

Landscape: time. place. identity. 2006
A full-length dance work inspired by the vast collection of Australian landscapes at the National Gallery of Australia. This collection captures responses to and perceptions of the landscape: on paper, bark, canvas, photographic materials and in sculpture. These artworks have driven the creation of this new dance work. It takes us on a geographic journey of locations, a personal journey of experience and an artistic journey of contemplation, reflection and response.

Unspeakable 2007
A dance work inspired by our reflection on the power of the voice of the individual. The work explores the act of finding one’s voice; giving voice to thoughts, beliefs and aspirations; knowing when to speak up or speak out; knowing when to remain silent and, beyond this, considering when words in themselves are of little value and we decide to commit our internal voice to action. This progression of awareness is central to growing up and becoming an adult. Part of the challenge to all of us who are still growing up are: what kind of adult do we wish to become, and how might we use our voice to best advantage?

My Sister, My Brother 2008
Relevant to the lives and struggles of all young people. It touches the sensitive issues teenagers are faced with in a world with mixed messages and changing values. The performance explores the universal experience of individual differences, connectedness, belonging, compassion, empathy, tolerance and humanity.

Select Option 2009
Touches on a theme common to all people – choice. To young people in particular, making choices can be seen as many things: liberating, stressful, even scary. Select Option asks how we arrive at the choices we make, what influences and whose advice they take into consideration, how willing we are to go along with the group and when we choose to stand apart, and how we become confident in our own ability to make good choices.

Night. Time. 2010
“As dusk falls, everyone chooses their moment. Snuggled in bed or out on the town, the night world is different through every window.” A contemporary youth dance work which explores the period between dusk and dawn, and the activities and dreams that young people experience during this time.

Identify 2011
Identify explores the idea of identity from three different perspectives. Jodie Farrugia’s work The Land is Calling looks at our migration heritage: from the first Indigenous Australians migrating to Australia (perhaps tens of thousands of years ago), each successive wave of migrants through recent history, and migrants and refugees today. Adam Wheeler created Precipice, originally part of the Toes on the Edge collaboration between QL2 and Bangkok Dance Academy that toured to three major cities in Thailand. Choreographer Anton’s work Digital Face considers how we identify ourselves online. Is it a true reflection?

Me Right Now 2012
The ‘young’ have been the centre of myths and truths throughout history. They have been romanticised, constructed, deconstructed and revised. To quote one of our dancers:”teenagers – are we individual humans, or are we just stereotypical sub-humans who have only learnt to make our beds, feed ourselves, and follow the pattern of teenagers. Me Right Now is our own story, of who we are, what influences us, and what we learn from it.”

Hit The Floor Together 2013
A Centenary of Canberra project proudly supported by the ACT Government, and part of Collected Works: Australia at Canberra Theatre Centre – This dance project presents Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people working together to understand and celebrate their roots, connection to the land they live on and their shared passion for dance.

Boundless 2014
Harnessing the visions of three distinctive dance-makers, QL2’s dancers collaborate to provide a window into their thinking; their understanding of their contemporary world; the issues and forces that affect them; and their anxieties and dreams over the future. The triple bill uses the idea of being boundless as provocation for choreographic development but splinters off to three unique interpretations and dance processes.

Reckless Valour 2015
Reckless Valour was first created in 2005, as “a moving tribute to young Australians in war.” 10 years on, and with the original choreographers, we completely redeveloped it, and added a new section by independent choreographer James Batchelor, a member of the original cast. Choreographer Natalie Cursio, inspired by the stories of Edward “Ted” Smout, says “It’s about trying to wrangle with an aspect of war. About the frustration with making the same mistakes again and again.”

Connected 2016
Connected was a triple-bill of diverse pieces, created in collaboration with the dancers by renowned choreographers Sara Black (Chunky Move, Punchdrunk), Kristina Chan (ADT), and physical theatre company Lingua Franca (Brisbane Powerhouse, Wirksworth Festival UK.) It investigated the power that connections can have on the individual, providing a unique reflection on how, in our own lives, we connect to those looking in. The production explored connections through our skin, connections with the natural world, and the ways in which strength and empowerment affect our connections with each other.

This Poisoned Sea 2017
“With my crossbow, I shot the albatross.” And so the Quantum Leap ensemble uses The Rime of the Ancient Mariner as a launchpad to explore belonging, ownership, and responsibility. Do we have an albatross to lead us out of trouble? Can we un-poison the sea? The choreographers and dancers set off from this epic, archaic text to find their own truths, their own stories of our place in the natural world. Created by celebrated West Australian choreographer Claudia Alessi; ex- Expressions Dance Company Jack Ziesing; and Eliza Sanders, a new voice to contemporary dance and theatre.

Two Zero 2018
Two Zero was a celebration of 20 years of Quantum Leap youth dance ensemble; its dancers, choreographers, composers, dramaturges, lighting and costume designers, film makers, photographers and production teams. We looked back at excerpts of older pieces and looked forward by presenting new works from choreographers who have been part of the Quantum Leap history and who are proud alumni.

Created by old and new choreographers; Daniel Riley, Dean Cross, Sara Black, Fiona Malone, Alison Plevey, Ruth Osborne, Steve Gow, Jodie Farrugia, Eliza Sanders with the dancers.

Leap into Chaos 2020
Touch - Chaos Project
“Touch colours our interactions with others in so many positive and sometimes negative ways. Positive interactions and touch refills the soul and the heart, it connects us with others. Touch is a profound need for all human beings and its language is unique.”
Created by Alison Plevey, Olivia Fyfe & Ryan Stone under the artistic direction of Ruth Osborne assisted by Steve Gow.

Sympathetic Monsters - Quantum Leap ensemble
“It is the fear of the unknown that makes us see monsters where there are differences and uniqueness that bring balance and beauty to the world.”
Created by Jack Ziesing under the artistic direction of Ruth Osborne assisted by Steve Gow.

Terra Firma

3 works, 3 perspectives, exploring the diverse ways we perceive our changing world.

Melanie Lane explores the relationship between body, objects, and our built environment. Within a world in which we navigate excess, constructs and algorithms, her work Metal Park contemplates how we have become a part of the material world in which we operate and questions our desire for material necessity. In Tides of Time, Steve & Lilah Gow (Synergy Styles) investigate our relationship with time in an era of constant change; how we project ourselves in the future or live in the past, exploring ways to remain in the present, onto solid ground, to fulfill our lives. Cadi McCarthy’s Shifting Ground explores the physicality of solid ground as a concept, embodying the strength and connection that holds us to our world in these uncertain times.

Filling the Space 2019
In Filling the Space, the Quantum Leap Ensemble explored the dynamic relationship of body and architecture. It broke open the frames and borders that guide our movement in and out of space/s and playfully manipulated our emotional relationship to them. The theatre stage became a world of potential, of space filling and emptying, of new cosmic dances.

Created by celebrated choreographers James Batchelor, Ruth Osborne and Eliza Sanders.

rebel: then.now.when?

As our world is transformed dramatically and events are unfolding that had been foretold but the warnings unheard, how do we find the way forward? Who will lead us all? We have looked for answers and inspiration in our past, in this era when activism brought deep changes in the world and reflected on the present, on the how and when and what. REBEL

Artistic Director Ruth Osborne
Assistant to AD Steve Gow
Choreographers Jack Ziesing, Jodie Farrugia, Ruth Osborne & Steve Gow
The Quantum Leap ensemble
Composer Adam Ventoura
Film Wildbear Digital