SDC racks up at 2015 Helpmann Awards

Sydney Dance Company triumphed at the 2015 Helpmann Awards, taking out the prize in all four dance categories for works performed in its critically acclaimed premier 2015 season.

Sydney Dance Company’s Frame of Mind received the award for “Best Ballet or Dance Work.” SDC Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela received “Best Choreography in a Dance or Physical Theatre Work” for the same 34-minute work. Cass Mortimer Eipper received “Best Male Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Work” for his performance in William Forsythe’s masterpiece Quintett. Likewise, Chloe Leong received “Best Female Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Work” for Quintett.

The 2015 Helpmann Awards ceremony, held on the set of Les Miserables at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, attracted the cream of Australia’s performers, for the announcement of the country’s most prestigious arts and entertainment awards. Across the evening, 42 prizes were awarded – across cabaret, comedy, dance, music, musicals, opera, physical theatre and theatre.

It was the first time in the Helpmann Awards’ history that all four dance category awards went to one company, with Sydney Dance Company scooping the pool.

Rafael Bonachela was first to be recognized for Frame of Mind, which is set to a stunning soundtrack by U.S. composer Bryce Dessner and features set design by Ralph Myers.

Dancer Cass Mortimer Eipper followed with the award for Best Male Dancer for his performance in Quintett, a renowned dance work originally created in 1993, presented for the first time in Australia by SDC in March 2015, under the direction of Forsythe Company Stagers Thomas McManus and Ana Catalina Roman Horcajo. SDC Dancer David Mack was also one of the four finalists nominated for this award, for his performance in the same work.

Newcomer Chloe Leong, who made her debut with the company in March, then took out the award for Best Female Dancer, also for her performance in Quintett. SDC dancer Jesse Scales was one of three other finalists nominated for this award.

Bonachela returned to the stage for a second time with the announcement that Frame of Mind had been awarded the 2015 Helpmann Award for Best Ballet or Dance Work.

Dance Informa applauds Sydney Dance Company for its success! Congratulations!

Photo: Sydney Dance Company dancers Cass Mortimer Eipper and Chloe Leong, and Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, with their 2015 Helpmann Awards. Photo by Chontelle Clark.