Colossus at Melbourne Fringe Festival by Stephanie Lake Company
The Arts Centre Melbourne in association with the Melbourne Fringe Festival bring to the stage Colossus, performed by the Stephanie Lake Company from September 26-30 at the iconic Arts Centre.
Colossus is a contemporary work directed and choreographed by Stephanie Lake; a multi-award winning creative in the Arts. Commissioned specifically for the Melbourne Fringe Festival, this 50-person cast incorporates the intricacies of mass bodies on stage by delving into kaleidoscopic patterns while exploring themes of beauty and ugliness. Lake taps into the human desire to be part of the mass and to share in a communal experience but also to assert individuality within such a dense landscape.
“This concept has been ticking away in my head since I was a student, so when this proposal came up from the Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the Take Over! program, I threw my hat in the ring and they supported it!” told Ms Lake.
Colossus by Stephanie Lake Company. Photo by Mark Gambino
Lake is renowned for abstract and intricate contemporary choreography that is also very intuitive.
“I’m very responsive to the dancers I am working with and I’m delighted by the possibility of what can happen. It is like a kind of alchemy and you start something and it is a never-ending thread of ideas,” she explained.
This is not Lake’s first venture into large scale productions. She has been commissioned by Sydney Dance Company and most recently the Queensland Ballet to produce contemporary works. She has toured internationally with her shows by Stephanie Lake Company, first performing at Dublin Dance Festival.
Colossus by Stephanie Lake Company. Photo by Mark Gambino
Lake grew up in Canada and undertook figure skating. When her family relocated to the humble town of Launceston, Tasmania, she fell in love with contemporary dance. After she joined a youth dance company and participated regularly at Tasdance, she decided to chase her passion and study contemporary dance at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. 22-years-later, she still resides in Melbourne where her professional dance company is based.
Colossus by Stephanie Lake Company. Photo by Mark Gambino
Throughout Lake’s career, she has been blessed with accolades for her work, including the Helpmann Award (2014), Green Room Award (2011) and Australian Dance Award (2014) for Best Choreography and in 2013 was appointed inaugural Resident Director of Lucy Guerin Inc.
“I honestly never expect any award. My highest wish is to basically not embarrass myself! The awards are amazing as it is a massive affirmation to keep going and get that recognition alongside big companies,” she said.
The Stephanie Lake Company with the support of Victorian College of the Arts and Transit Dance present Colossus at the Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne from September 26-30. Ticket prices $28-35
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.