The young people’s journey to Sydney came about through their involvement in BE’s arts-based projects in Armidale, Bowraville and the Far North Coast, NSW, and Tennant Creek, NT, and they all revealed a talent for the performing arts.

The young people spent five days rehearsing with a creative team of noted professional artists that included Morganics, Travers Ross, Nicole Iovine (Lamb), Tammie Jarrett, Jason Winters and Chris Merriman. All the camp’s activities were filmed by Ming D’Arcy with sound by Dylan Shepherd.

“Interacting with these artists and hearing stories of how they got to where they are now in their careers was so inspiring for these kids,” said Kellie Martusciello, BE’s Participant Support Coordinator, who has worked closely with many in the group for a number of years. “The artists were so generous with their knowledge, giving these kids confidence in their own abilities and making them realise that they too can follow their dreams.”

Directed by Morganics and long-time BE dance mentor Travers Ross, the young dancers, who had never worked together before, developed an original and innovative performance piece titled Here I am. The work tells the story of young people finding their place in the world and the choreography combined contemporary forms of dance, including, among others, hip hop and break dance.

“It was a truly profound and moving experience,” said Kim McConville, Executive Director of Beyond Empathy, describing the group’s performance of Here I am at Pier 2/3 in Sydney’s historic Walsh Bay precinct. “At Beyond Empathy we are honoured to work with such naturally gifted and generous young people. I think everyone in the audience left the performance having been touched by it.” 

The Intensive Skills Development (Dance) Camp and the opportunity to participate in the Sydney Theatre Company’s Open Day at the Wharf was made possible by the Australia Council for the Arts, Arts NSW, Regional Arts NSW, the Australian Pipeline Trust, Morgan and Banks and the Coca Cola Australia Foundation.