STEPHANIE LAKE COMPANY - "'Manifesto"

An electrifying, exhilarating, deliberately optimistic dance, in perfect harmony with a powerful soundscape—a striking piece that celebrates not order, but insurrection. In just a few years, Australian choreographer Stephanie Lake has established herself on contemporary stages with her sharp vision and explosive movement style. In just a few years, the Australian Stephanie Lake has made her mark on the contemporary dance scene with her sharp vision and explosive dance. *Manifesto*, premiered in 2022 at the Adelaide Festival, embodies all the qualities of a choreographic style in which the physical intensity of the performance in no way detracts from its clockwork precision. The stage design is remarkable: on a ramp overlooking the stage, nine drummers dressed in black are positioned with their instruments in front of an imposing curtain of bright pink velvet. Their beats gradually trigger and unleash the increasingly complex movements of nine male and female dancers in white costumes. As the piece builds in intensity, the audience and performers find themselves immersed in an intoxicating whirlwind of sound, light and movement. Whereas percussion and group dances are traditionally associated with military might, *Manifesto* subverts this perspective: in collaboration with her compatriot, the audiovisual artist and composer Robin Fox, the choreographer stages a joyful and united rebellion of the body. Between serene unison passages and frenetic solos, all the currents of human energy unfold to a crescendoing rhythm, culminating in a finale of exceptional intensity. Creative Team & Performers Choreography: Stephanie Lake Musical Composition: Robin Fox Lighting Design: Bosco Shaw Costumes: Paula Levis Scenography: Charles Davis Dancers: Rachel Coulson, Marni Green, Tra Mi Dinh, Georgia Van Gils, Melissa Pham, Harrison Ritchie-Jones, Robert Tinning, Kimball Wong, Jack Ziesing. Drummers: Robin Fox, Rama Parwata, Rohan Rebeiro, Alex Roper, Jen Tait, Rachel Trainor, Mathew Watson, Julia Watt et Tina Xuan Nguyen Production Director: Lisa Osborn Executive Producer: Beth Raywood Cross Lighting Supervisor: Rachel Lee Sound Engineer: James Wilkinson Extras: • Post-show artist talk • Dance & Percussion Masterclass: Friday, Nov 20, 6:00 – 8:00 PM • Barre Warm-up: Sunday, Nov 22, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM