Steps Youth Dance Company

Main House Performance Seasons

STEPS showcases the work of the company through main house performance seasons at professional venues such as the Playhouse Theatre, Boardwalk Theatre and Subiaco Arts Centre. Recent main house performance seasons include moonwebs & scorched thongs (2009), nospace (2008), the award winning dash (2007), KISSXX (2006), MANIA (2005), Fifteen! (2004), Eat it Up! (2003), Edge Test (2001), Around the World in Eighty Days - in Eight Ways (2000), chromoZONES (1999).

Boys Can Dance Projects

High quality performance and workshop projects for boys only. Energetic and accessible dance encouraging boys to participate and enjoy dance, both as performers and audience members. The Boys Can Dance Project celebrated 10 years of unearthing talented male performers in 2007 with the award winning production of dash. Past Boys Can Dance productions include Ground Speed (2006), Check 1,2 (2005), T.E.A.M.S (2004), Monks of Funk (2003), Girls’ Gear, Boys’ Breaks (2001, 2002), New Boy (2000), T.E.A.M.S (1998) and Boys Can Dance (1997)

Junior Projects

STEPS completes projects that target children aged 9 – 12 years. Through a collaborative process with professional artists, performance themes are developed relevant to this age group. Recent Junior Projects include Powdermonkey (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) and Big Fish, Little Fish - Awesome Festival (1998).

Choreographic Workshops/Projects

STEPS provides exciting vehicles such as one step further (1995,1997), Free Range (2000, 2001, 2007, 2008) and Movement Safari (2003) for young choreographers to develop, explore and bring to fruition their ideas through mentorship, choreographic workshops and studio showings. STEPS is proud to facilitate the development of a body of youth choreography.

Workshops

STEPS completes workshop projects that focus on the skill development of young dancers. Examples include, MDV Playlist (2008), POWDERMONKEY (2002-2008), Free Range (2008 & 2007), Ground Speed (2002, 2003, 2006), and Locomatrix (2002).

Touring

STEPS tours both regionally and nationally, taking the work of the company to new audiences.

• Australian Youth Dance Festival - Mandurah (2009)
• POWDERMONKEY-King of the Castle - Presented by BHP Billiton Nickel West, Kalgoorlie (2007)
• KISSXX – Horsham VIC (2006)
• Check 1,2 – Mandurah (2005)
• Edge Test - Armidale NSW & Canberra ACT (2001)
• Girls’ Gear, Boys’ Breaks - Mandurah (2000)
• chromoZONES - Townsville QLD, Canberra ACT, Merredin & Kalgoorlie (1999)
• mixed program - Northam (1997)

Performances for Festivals/Events

STEPS responds to community requests for one-off performances wherever possible. Appearances include ResourCity (Nov 2008, Central Park, Perth), ‘Crossthreads’ - WAMI Fashion Parade (2008, 2007 & 2006, Forrest Chase, Perth),  National Youth Week Launch (2006), Western Australian Youth Awards (2002), the opening of the Centenary of Federation Youth Conference, Youth Dance Advance and MajFest (2001) and the Business and the Arts Dinner (2000).

Commissions

STEPS accept commissions to create work to support the activities of other organisations.

• West Australian Music Industry Association - WAMI Festival Parade (2008, 2007 & 2006).
• ResourCity - Presented by the Chamber of Minerals & Energy (2008)
• Aboriginal Education, Training & Achievement Standards - EXPO Upper primary schools (2006)

Partnerships with other arts organisations

STEPS seeks partnership projects with other arts and community organisations. Project partners have included Southern Edge Arts (SEA) - POWDERMONKEY workshops (2006), WAYO – Dances of Atlantis (2003), Artrage – Powdermonkey (2004), Awesome Festival – Big Fish, Little Fish (1998), WAYJO� and WAYTCO - Festival of Perth Productions - Here! Now! (1995) and Scapes (1997), Buzz Dance Theatre - Next Step (1995)� and Bring Down the House (1997), Buzz Dance Theatre� and WAAPA - Bridging the Gap (1993).

STEPS has also fostered partnerships with local government authorities for specific projects such as City of Perth, City of Mandurah, City of Fremantle, City of Swan and City of Joondalup.