Ausdance ACT presents Youth Dance Festival 2025: ‘Life on Mars’

Join Ausdance ACT for an exciting mix of non-competitive live dance performance created by students from across the region at the Canberra Theatre. Ausdance ACT’s 2025 Youth Dance Festival runs 28 + 29 October at 7 pm.

In shaping the theme, Creative Director Dr Cathy Adamek reflects, “Space exploration is a hot topic. Youth Dance Festival offers students a unique opportunity to explore futuristic concepts—sci-fi, space travel, and beyond—within a theatrical framework. It also invites them to delve deeper into what it means to be human in a world that often feels increasingly alienated.”

Adamek continues, “Life can appear like an endless stream of strange, surreal, and bewildering headlines—some even suggest we’re living in a simulation. Polarizing innovator Elon Musk proposes escaping Earth’s chaos by venturing to the Moon or Mars. It begs the question: is there anyone out there? Who are the real invading aliens? Are humans part monster, part scared, weird little guys? Can we truly escape to another planet and solve our problems, or do we simply take them with us? I can’t wait to see the original student concepts come to life on stage!”

With over 700 students and 25 schools participating in 2025, Youth Dance Festival encourages a student led approach to dance making, choreography, theatre and film making and provides a shared artistic experience. For some, it may be the very first time they step on a theatre stage, and this magic moment could set the path for a future career in the arts. For others, it will become a cherished memory and a valuable experience.

Youth Dance Festival is a remarkable Canberra success story. A long-term feature on the Canberra arts and education calendar since 1984 ‘Dance Fest’ boasts a second generation of participants, a proud alumnus of over 50,000 plus students and a strong legacy.

Ausdance ACT ensures that every school has the support and resources needed to bring to life the diverse work that makes up Youth Dance Festival. The creative process involves professional dance artists visiting participating schools to provide support and guidance to students in the development of their own work.

Don’t miss this non-competitive, inclusive celebration of dance, passion, and storytelling – created and performed by the next generation of local talent.

Tickets for Ausdance ACT’s Youth Dance Festival are on sale now at canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Ausdance ACT Youth Dance Festival, Image credit Ausdance ACT