Your Guide to DanceX: Dancenorth Australia

X What is Wayfinder (Excerpt)?

In 2025, Dancenorth Australia will bring their unique spirit of collaboration and visionary art to the DanceX stage with an excerpt from the acclaimed Wayfinder. 

Directed by Amber Haines and Kyle Page, Dancenorth Australia joins forces with three-time Grammy-nominated Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron J. Scullin to create a soaring immersive composition that evokes pleasure and possibility. Japanese-Australian visual artist Hiromi Tango offers her joyful artwork to both the stage and costume pieces, and Niklas Pajanti has created a spellbinding lighting design.

Devised by urban planner Kevin Lynch in 1960, the word ‘Wayfinder’ refers to the process of using spatial and environmental information in navigation. Wayfinding recognises the importance of the environment, the placement of the stars and sun, and how the practice of understanding the natural world has been pivotal to survival, culture and connection.

X Who is Dancenorth Australia?

Located on the ancestral lands of the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, Dancenorth Australia is led by Co-Artistic Directors Kyle Page and Amber Haine.  Founded by Townsville dance legend Ann Roberts, Dancenorth Australia was established to give dancers living in the northern states of Australia the same opportunities as their southern counterparts. The North Queensland Ballet Company debuted on April 9, 1970, at the Theatre Royal in Townsville with a triple bill performance of Graduation Ball, Les Sylphides and Le Pas de Quatre.

A champion of North Queensland performing arts, in 1985 the company was elevated to professional status under its inaugural Artistic Director Cheryl Stock and General Manager Lorna Hempstead. With community collaboration and support, the company was renamed Dancenorth Australia and began its next era of bringing together artists from around the world with dynamic contemporary dance.