Queensland Ballet and HOTA launch a landmark collaboration on the Gold Coast
Queensland Ballet and HOTA (Home of the Arts), have joined forces in a landmark three-year partnership set to deliver three original, music-driven world premieres exclusive to the Gold Coast – signalling a bold new chapter for the city’s cultural identity.
The partnership between Queensland Ballet and HOTA is set to launch with the debut of Elastic Hearts, a genre-defying dance production choreographed and directed by acclaimed artist Garry Stewart. Featuring the music of global pop icon Sia, reimagined by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Elastic Hearts promises a collision of movement, music and visual spectacle.
The collaboration marks a significant evolution in the cultural life of the Gold Coast by establishing the city not just as a vibrant destination for arts, but as an active commissioner of major new works.
“This three-year partnership marks a transformational moment for HOTA and the Gold Coast,” said Yarmila Alfonzetti, head of arts and culture at Experience Gold Coast.
“It places the city on the national map as a major commissioner and presenter of new contemporary performance and offers our audiences direct access to some of the most exciting new works being made in Australia.”
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Set to an orchestral reinterpretation of Sia’s emotive catalogue, Elastic Hearts is described as “raw, radiant and unrelentingly human.” The production explores themes of nature, creativity and resilience through movement, sound and light.
Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega sees the work as a perfect reflection of the company’s evolving artistic vision. “We’ve had a long-held wish to call the Gold Coast home. This production is the perfect launch of our new partnership as it stretches the boundaries of what ballet can be — emotionally, musically, and culturally. With Sia’s music as our heartbeat in this first work, we’re diving into something raw, contemporary, and full of feeling. And the Gold Coast, with its vibrant energy and creative pulse, is the perfect place to launch it.”
Sia, who has rarely collaborated with the world of ballet, expressed her excitement at the project. “I’ve always believed in the power of movement and music to connect people on a deeper emotional level. To see my music reimagined through the beauty of ballet is something truly special,” she said.
The production, which signals a bold new direction for Queensland Ballet, will run for a limited season of four performances at HOTA from November 6–8.
Head to the HOTA website for tickets.