Curated by The Australian Ballet, eight boundary-pushing dance companies from Australia and New Zealand come together in a festival you can make your own.
Week 1: 8 — 11 October
Week 2: 15 — 19 October
The Playhouse hosts two distinctive shows, each bringing together multiple works in one shared program.
Show 1, playing for the first week of the festival, features Royal New Zealand Ballet, Restless Dance Theatre, Dancenorth Australia and The Australian Ballet performing works by George Balanchine and Lucy Guerin. Show 2, playing in the second week of DanceX, features Bangarra Dance Theatre, West Australian Ballet Company, Stephanie Lake Company and The Australian Ballet performing a new work by Tim Harbour.
Each show promises a mix of contemporary, classical and cross-cultural stories that expand what dance can be.
Step beyond the Playhouse and find stand-alone works across Arts Centre Melbourne. From raw physicality and intimate moments to bold ideas with Flesh Vessel, The Other Side of Me and Wet Hard Long, to a joyful dance world for kids in Dream Swamp.
Book two tickets for $90* with code DX90 and experience the breadth of DanceX together.
Offer valid for two tickets to any DanceX performance (excluding Dream Swamp) in all seating reserves for a combined price of $90. Subject to availability. Transaction fees may apply. Not valid on previously purchased tickets or in conjunction with any other offer.
Show 1
Enjoy five exhilarating works in one captivating program.
The Australian Ballet and The Australian Ballet School, Allegro Brillante by George Balanchine, The Balanchine Trust©
The Australian Ballet and Lucy Guerin, Ground Control
Dancenorth Australia, Wayfinder (excerpt)
Restless Dance Theatre, Seeing Through Darkness
Royal New Zealand Ballet, Te Ao Mārama
*Post show Q&A's
Thursday 9 and Friday 10 October 9.30 - 9.45pm
Saturday 11 October 3.30 - 3.45pm | Auslan Interpreted
Jenni Large, Wet Hard Long
8 — 9 October 6pm
10 — 11 October 8pm
*Post Show Q&A
Saturday 11 October 9 - 9.15pm | Auslan Interpreted
Jayden Lewis Wall, Melissa Yvonne Pham and Nikki Tarling, Flesh Vessel
8 — 9 October 8pm
10 — 11 October 6pm
*Post Show Q&A
Thursday 9 October 9 - 9.15pm
Royal New Zealand Ballet, Te Ao Mārama
The Australian Ballet and The Australian Ballet School, Allegro Brillante
Restless Dance Theatre, Seeing Through Darkness
The Australian Ballet and Lucy Guerin, Ground Control
Dancenorth Australia, Wayfinder (Excerpt)
Jayden Lewis Wall and Melissa Yvonne Pham, Flesh Vessel
Jenni Large, Wet Hard Long
Royal New Zealand Ballet, Te Ao Mārama
The Australian Ballet and The Australian Ballet School, Allegro Brillante
Restless Dance Theatre, Seeing Through Darkness
The Australian Ballet and Lucy Guerin, Ground Control
Dancenorth Australia, Wayfinder (Excerpt)
Jayden Lewis Wall and Melissa Yvonne Pham, Flesh Vessel
Jenni Large, Wet Hard Long
Show 2
Four unique works from across Australia in a single program.
The Australian Ballet and Tim Harbour, The Delivery
Bangarra Dance Theatre, Yuldea (excerpt)
Stephanie Lake Company, Auto Cannibal
West Australian Ballet Company, Extension to Boom
*Post Show Q&A
Thursday 16 and Friday 17 October 9.30 - 9.45pm
Saturday 18 October 3.30 - 3.45pm | Auslan Interpreted
Gary Lang NT Dance Company, The Other Side of Me
*A post show in conversation will be included in every performance.
Saturday 18 October 2.15 - 2.30pm | Auslan Interpreted
15 — 19 October
Melanie Lane, Dream Swamp (perfect for kids 4 - 10)
*At the conclusion of each performance, children will be invited onto the stage to explore the set, props and costumes as part of a Tactile Tour. The stage will be open for 15 minutes after the show for this experience.
Dream Swamp was originally commissioned by Melbourne Fringe and received Cash to Create through the Fringe Fund, with thanks to the Pulse Giving Circle.
Bangarra Dance Theatre, Yuldea (Excerpts)
The Australian Ballet and Timothy Harbour, New Work by Tim Harbour
West Australian Ballet, Extension to Boom
Stephanie Lake Company, Auto Cannibal
Melanie Lane, Dream Swamp
Gary Lang NT Dance Company, The Other Side of Me
Bangarra Dance Theatre, Yuldea (Excerpts)
The Australian Ballet and Timothy Harbour, New Work by Tim Harbour
West Australian Ballet, Extension to Boom
Stephanie Lake Company, Auto Cannibal
Melanie Lane, Dream Swamp
Gary Lang NT Dance Company, The Other Side of Me
Find out more about the DanceX works and the companies bringing them to life.
Photo by Sophia Bender
Dream Swamp Workshops
Explore the magic of Dream Swamp, choreographed by Melanie Lane, in fun, hands-on workshops led by our Education and Outreach team. No dance experience is needed — just curiosity and creativity!
For 3–5 Year Olds
Thursday 16 October | 10.30 - 11.15am
Younger dancers will enjoy playful activities that introduce movement, rhythm, and storytelling in a welcoming, fun environment.
We’re thrilled to offer two special contemporary dance classes, led by the talented artists and companies of DanceX.
Whether you’re new to dance or love to move, these classes are a fun and welcoming way to explore contemporary movement, get creative, and connect with Melbourne’s dance community.
Wednesday 8 October
6.45 - 8pm
Wednesday 15 October
6.45 - 8pm
Photo Sophia Bender
Come move with us and Dancenorth in a welcoming Dance for Seniors session.
This session will be delivered by The Australian Ballet's Education and Outreach team, who will be joined by Amber Haines, Co-Artistic Director of Dancenorth. This is an exciting opportunity to explore the themes behind Wayfinder, directed by Amber Haines and Kyle Page.
Dance for seniors is an inclusive dance class designed to provide a gentle, structured and enjoyable dance experience. Exercises are designed to build strength and mobility, improve balance, and increase hand-eye coordination, memory and musicality. The class will be accessible, and seated, supported, and standing options will be provided.
Friday 10 October 11am - 12pm
Photo Joanna Borgiel
Move. Imagine. Create.
Discover the power of movement with Restless Dance Theatre. Step into the world of Seeing Through Darkness as you learn repertoire, explore creative tasks, and gain unique insights into the making of the work. Guided by Restless’ inclusive approach, you’ll be inspired to move, improvise, and express yourself in a supportive environment where everyone belongs.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Who is it for?
This workshop welcomes people 18+ with all abilities, offering an inclusive and supportive space where everyone can explore movement and creativity. Led by Artistic Director Michelle Ryan, Artistic Associate Larissa McGowan, and a Restless Company Dancer.
Friday 10 October 3 - 4.30pm
Photo Roy VanDerVegt
Warm up the dance floor with us ahead of Week 2 of DanceX. Join Stephanie Lake - one of Australia’s most dynamic and celebrated choreographers - and her dancers for a free 45-minute workshop in the heart of Melbourne’s arts precinct. Learn movement sequences from Lake’s acclaimed work Auto Cannibal in a fun, welcoming environment. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or stepping into dance for the first time, everyone is invited. This is your chance to experience the choreography of one of Australia’s leading dance companies, up close.
Theatres Forecourt, Arts Centre Melbourne
100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank
Free event. No registration needed.
Friday 10 October 1 - 1.45pm
DanceX is generously enabled by The Hansen Little Foundation.
Week one of the festival is generously supported by
Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels
DanceX is generously enabled by Lady Potter AC CMRI and The David Hallberg Fund for Artistic Aspiration, The Hansen Little Foundation & The Linda Herd Fund for Contemporary Work, and Creative Australia, the Australian Government's principal arts investment and advisory body.
