We run programs for ages 8–26 that focus on igniting and developing young people’s creative energy and dance skills. We are not a dance school, but build a deep understanding of dance-making and performance through hands-on projects.
Young people can join our programs at various points and work with QL2 for periods of a few days to many years.
We provide a continuous support path right through to professional development after tertiary dance training.
Listed below are some of our major activities.
Quantum Leap youth dance ensemble
A “youth dance company” within QL2
Quantum Leap is our auditioned youth dance ensemble. It provides a vibrant, demanding, supportive and structured environment for young people to gain an understanding of choreographic processes, develop choreographic literacy and work together to create sophisticated productions that wrestle with big ideas. These high-quality works emerge from collaborative processes: the dancers form part of a creative team with professional choreographers, composers and filmmakers.
The development workshops, rehearsals and performances require commitment and focus. They give a sound orientation for university tertiary dance courses, developing a mature and experienced approach to dance performance and creation while giving an insight into professional dance practice. We audition enthusiastic, determined young people with training or experience in movement, for example: contemporary dance, street dance, breakdance, classical ballet, jazz dance, tap, gymnastics, martial arts and circus skills.
We conduct audition workshops for each major project — that’s how you become a member of Quantum Leap, and then you may be selected for other projects through the year. Auditions are usually held in February and August. We welcome young people from the region around Canberra, though travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the dancer. In past projects, dancers have travelled from the NSW south coast, Cowra, Young, Canowindra, Newcastle and Sydney to participate. We also have a visiting dancer program for secondments from tertiary dance courses across Australia and for selected overseas groups including New Zealand and Thailand, who join the ensemble for short periods.
Quantum Leap (ages 15–26)
We run a major dance creation project each year for Quantum Leap. Working with several professional choreographers over a six month period, a Quantum Leap group of thirty or forty dancers develop a full-length contemporary dance work for presentation in July/August, with interstate and international visiting dancers.
Chaos (ages 8–17)
An annual project for less-experienced and younger dancers,building confidence and skills whilst creating and presenting a new dance work through a three month program. They work with professional choreographers and a group of older Quantum Leapers.
Hot to Trot
Hot to Trot gives Quantum Leapers an exciting opportunity to create and refine their own short dance works. Mentored by Ruth Osborne, and with peer support, they develop their works for a performance season in our theatre.
Licence to move - An intro to dance, for boys
We inspire boys and young men to enter the world of dance, and to extend their passion for dance into new forms. We visit schools with a group of boys from Quantum Leap, and run workshops in a masculine style of dance, which builds physical skills, self-confidence and expression. Ongoing workshops prepare boys for Quantum Leap projects where they will work with more trained dancers in mixed projects.
On Course - For tertiary dance students
Designed especially for young people in tertiary dance studies interstate, this 2 week program builds on the choreographic skills they are developing. It ends with a short performance season, bringing their new ideas to a Canberra audience.
Soft Landing - For young dance graduates
Dancers graduate from tertiary dance institutions with huge expectations and a burning desire to work. These monthlong programs with an experienced dance professional prepare graduates for work in the ‘real world’ of professional dance practice.
Soft Landing 1 focuses on dance practice. Young dance graduates work with a choreographer to develop a piece, including all the associated production, marketing and administrative challenges.
Soft Landing 2 brings choreographic practice to the fore. In creating their own short work, young dance graduates are mentored and challenged by the project convenor, focussing and honing their work to engage an audience.
Grants of space & Commissions - For professional choreographers
We bring exciting professional dance artists into our studios and into the lives of Quantum Leapers, by supporting them with Grants of Space and Commissions. Studio space grants are available to local and visiting professional dance artists to develop and present new works, particularly those involving Quantum Leap dancers.
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