Witness the World Premiere of Sugar Kaye Sañejo Grefaldeo’s ‘Fortūna’

In the Philippines, people often say kung ano ang itinanim, siya’ng aanihin — “what you reap is what you sow.” But does it really matter what we do, or is everything simply a matter of good fortune? What is good fortune?

Fortūna is a powerful new solo dance/theatre work that dives into the themes of luck, wealth, and fortune through a vibrant fusion of Filipino folk dance, Hip-Hop and spoken word.

At its heart is the real-life story of dancer and choreographer Sugar Kaye Sañejo Grefaldeo, tracing her path from her first dance experiences in Manila to her current life in Australia. The work questions the concept of “fortune” while also reflecting on the challenge of communicating the value of dance to both family and wider society.

The performance highlights the pivotal role of Sugar’s mentor, her school teacher Raffy Fortuna, who recognised her potential, invited her into the dance troupe, and altered the course of her life. Over time, Raffy became a guiding influence, keeping her focused and resilient through difficult circumstances. Fortūna explores this essential bond between student and mentor, and the cyclical way knowledge is passed down, nurtured, and given back to community.

Developed in collaboration with Erika Jayne Goldsmith and Richu John Kung as part of the Canberra Theatre Centre’s New Works Program in partnership with Ausdance ACT, Fortūna is a bold, deeply personal, and culturally rich performance that connects audiences with universal questions of destiny, resilience, and the power of mentorship.

This production is the global premiere of Fortūna — an invitation to witness a journey of dance, luck, and the cycles of fortune that shape us all.

Fortūna premieres 17th – 18th October at Canberra Theatre Centre’s Courtyard Studio. Tickets are on sale from $20. Book here.

Fortūna, Image credit Ausdance ACT