The Yard

Presented by Captivate and Shaun Parker

This compelling new work has been a collaboration between one of Australia’s leading dance theatre practitioners, Shaun Parker, and students drawn from a wide range of Catholic Schools through ‘Captivate’, the performing arts program in the Diocese of Parramatta.

Drawing inspiration from William Golding’s Lord of the Flies and its analysis of human behaviour, The Yard takes these themes and breathes new life into them by way of the Australian school yard. Ultimately finding unity in the diversity of culture, gender and ethnicity that pulsate in ‘the school yard’, The Yard is taut with the tension and humour of conflicts played out every day, as it celebrates the extraordinary in the ordinary.

The Yard fuses hard hitting contemporary dance with break dance, locking and popping, tutting, krumping and jerking; all new forms of dance found on the streets and school yards of Western Sydney. Nick Wales creates an arresting electro-acoustic score for
the performance.

"One of the most uplifting and rewarding experiences of my artistic career. These kids are raw, talented and truly exceptional artists.” Shaun Parker

Check out the trailer here.

Shaun Parker & Company are supported by Communities Arts NSW, the Australia Council for the Arts and are residents of the Seymour Centre's Arts Bunker, an initiative proudly supported by City of Sydney Council.