Bright sparks dancing to Geelong

A dance company driven solely by youth is bringing its latest production to Geelong, arriving at the Geelong Performing Art Centre April 14.

Spearheaded by a Torquay local, The Spark Youth Dance Company (SYDC) brings Shatter – the emotional story of the British suffragettes – to life, during a 90-minute show featuring a cast of 28 young dancers aged between 7-25, and a 35-piece professional orchestra.

Alex Dellaportas, 20, choreographed and directed the show alongside conductor Joseph Lallo and Melbourne costume designer Tamara Keane, who have come on board as mentors.

This ambitious new work premiered in October 2017 and follows the story of Rosie, a young woman living through the suffrage movement; a movement that sought women the right to vote.

The “suffragettes” were a group of women who began to use “deeds” or violent tactics to protest, including smashing windows and hunger strikes in prisons.

The work is highly relevant in 2018, giving a voice to stories of strong women throughout history while educating young artists and audiences about gender equality.

Opening to rave reviews Jessica Poulter from Dance Writer said that Shatter was “ground-breaking in its execution” while Kate Meade, Director of the Victorian Dance Festival, praised the show saying it was “everything you could wish for in a youth dance company” and SYDC were one of the most “exciting and innovative” youth dance companies in Australia.

SYDC was founded in 2016 by choreographer Alex Dellaportas after she graduated school and discovered a lack of dance and creation opportunities for young people on the Mornington Peninsula and surrounds.

Ms Dellaportas created a platform that would allow young people to come together to create dance works, and now at just 20 years of age, works with over 40 young people each year through the company.

Tickets are now on sale for the Geelong show of Shatter and can be purchased through SYDC’s website sparkyouthdance.com.au you can also follow them on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram @sparkyouthdance.