Performances

PIONEERS

Related to Art & About Sydney
Installed from 7 March 2024 to 9 March 2024
Public artArt and AboutTemporary art
Four people are dancing energetically on a dimly lit stage, each wearing casual streetwear. Bright lights illuminate them from the side.
A group of dancers perform on an outdoor stage at night, leaning to one side with varied expressions, while an audience watches.
A group of people in casual clothing dance energetically in low light, raising their arms.

An outdoor dance and theatre piece about the formation of Australia’s bravest dance crew.

Artist: The Pioneers

This artwork was temporary and is no longer at this location.

Artwork description

PIONEERS is a 60-minute outdoor dance and theatre piece about the formation of Australia’s bravest dance crew, The Pioneers.

Young queer and culturally diverse western Sydney artists come together and explore dance, activism and identity through the contemporary social, psychological and physical relationships with public space.

As the artists from PIONEERS claim their space and time, they'll bring you a dance to reinvigorate and reinforce optimism and freedom, and reclaim the beauty and urgency of young people’s survival in the 21st century.

Witness a love and dedication to dance second to none.

  • Choreographer: Eliam Royalness
  • Choreographic support: Larissa McGowan
  • Performers / devisors: Jamaica Moana, Neda Taha, Rennard Velasco, Roseleen Maano, Eliam Royalness
  • Music: Jamaica Moana
  • Visual artist: Feras Shaheen
  • Lighting design / production manager: Elyse Drenth
  • Dramaturg: Nick Power
  • Producer: PYT Fairfield – Gabriela Green Olea/Olivia Xegas

About the group

Founded by dancer/choreographer Eliam Royalness in 2013, the Pioneers is comprised of street skilled and professionally trained performers and artists, with members of various ages and experiences.

The Pioneers made a lasting impact on young people of the Sydney dance community, taking their unique performance style across Australia. The crew have been titled NSW champions at Hip-Hop International in 2014 and 2015, and Australian gold medallists and international silver medallists in 2019.

Providing high energy entertainment through styles such as dancehall, waacking, vogueing and urban choreography, each member has an incredible and varied dance history. Some members studied at prestigious studios such as ED5 International and others bring raw experiences as performers and choreographers for major events across Australia and for various companies and organisations including OzHarvest, ANZ Banking, The Ted Noffs Foundation and Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association.

Performers suspended on ropes execute acrobatic moves on the side of a tall glass building against a clear sky.

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