Lighting The Dark
Newsletter
Dance
Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat and Dancenorth Australia Presents
Lighting The Dark
A journey to the very centre of what it means to be human
14 Mar 2026
Sessions
Saturday
March 14, 2026
19:30 – 20:30
Tickets
March 14, 2026
19:30 – 20:30
Information
Show type
Dance
duration
60 minutes, no interval
Location
Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat
Time
Bars Open: 6.30PM
Show Time: 7.30PM
Show Time: 7.30PM
Prices
EARLY BIRD PRICING UNTIL 01 FEB 2026
ALL PRICES LISTED ARE 20% OFF THE USUAL PRICE
A Reserve
Full: $39.20
Concession: $35.20
B Reserve: $31.20
$30 Under 30: $24
Mob Tix: $24
Restricted View: $24
We are proud to offer Mob Tix. These are discounted tickets for self-identified First Nations People to selected shows at Ballarat’s Cultural Venues
ALL PRICES LISTED ARE 20% OFF THE USUAL PRICE
A Reserve
Full: $39.20
Concession: $35.20
B Reserve: $31.20
$30 Under 30: $24
Mob Tix: $24
Restricted View: $24
We are proud to offer Mob Tix. These are discounted tickets for self-identified First Nations People to selected shows at Ballarat’s Cultural Venues
Suitable for
All Ages
Additional information
Content Warnings: This show contains strobe lighting, theatrical haze, and loud/startling noises.
Lighting the Dark is a bold new work by Chris Dyke, a Kaurna (Adelaide) based dancer and choreographer living with Down syndrome.
Chris, the embodiment of love itself, emanates compassion, transcending limitations and inviting us all into his radiant embrace. Yet, amidst his rich internal landscape of dreams and boundless imagination, the world often fails to see beyond the cover of the book – a book that if we dared to open, would reveal a radical inspiration, creative brilliance, hope and love.
With the mesmerising Dancenorth Ensemble by his side, Chris leads the way, transforming the stage into a portal where love and light illuminate the darkness. A masterpiece of collaboration and community, Lighting the Dark reminds us of the complexity of life’s challenges.
Inspired by the iconic figures of Banksy, David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, Chris finds kinship in their revolutionary spirit, each serving as a reflection of his own vision.
Lighting the Dark is a profound celebration of the human experience, a journey that traverses individual and universal truths in a dance to the very centre of what it means to be human.
Content Warnings: This show contains strobe lighting, theatrical haze, and loud/startling noises.
Chris, the embodiment of love itself, emanates compassion, transcending limitations and inviting us all into his radiant embrace. Yet, amidst his rich internal landscape of dreams and boundless imagination, the world often fails to see beyond the cover of the book – a book that if we dared to open, would reveal a radical inspiration, creative brilliance, hope and love.
With the mesmerising Dancenorth Ensemble by his side, Chris leads the way, transforming the stage into a portal where love and light illuminate the darkness. A masterpiece of collaboration and community, Lighting the Dark reminds us of the complexity of life’s challenges.
Inspired by the iconic figures of Banksy, David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, Chris finds kinship in their revolutionary spirit, each serving as a reflection of his own vision.
Lighting the Dark is a profound celebration of the human experience, a journey that traverses individual and universal truths in a dance to the very centre of what it means to be human.
Content Warnings: This show contains strobe lighting, theatrical haze, and loud/startling noises.
Cast & Creatives
Chris Dyke
Performer / Choreographer
Performer / Choreographer
Sabine Crompton-Ward
Performer / Choreographer
Performer / Choreographer
Tiana Lung
Performer / Choreographer
Performer / Choreographer
Aleeya McFadyen-Rew
Performer / Choreographer
Performer / Choreographer
Jag Popham
Performer / Choreographer
Performer / Choreographer
Felix Sampson
Performer / Choreographer
Performer / Choreographer
Michael Smith
Performer / Choreographer
Performer / Choreographer
Direction
Chris Dyke
Concept and Choreography
Chris Dyke, Amber Haines, Kyle Page
Composition and Sound Design
Anna Whitaker
Additional Lyrics and Composition
Felix Sampson
Design
Andrew Treloar
Lighting Design
Chloe Ogilvie
Production Manager
Candice Marshall
Chris Dyke
Performer / Choreographer
Chris Dyke’s dance practice is driven by his passion for dance focused on mixing movement with light, film, music, and art in inclusive performance scenarios, with a view to empowering effect on cast and audience.
This has resulted in a significant body of works with performance highlights at Dancenorth Australia and as an invited artist at Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) and Restless Dance Theatre (RDT).
This has resulted in a significant body of works with performance highlights at Dancenorth Australia and as an invited artist at Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) and Restless Dance Theatre (RDT).
Chris has a close working relationship with Kyle Page, Artistic Director of Dancenorth. Together the pair has created a number of works, including Lionheart, a solo choreographed by Chris in collaboration with Kyle; dance film, Common Colours and a new work titled Touch as part of Dancenorth’s Tomorrow Makers 6 program.
Sabine Crompton-Ward
Performer / Choreographer
Sabine, originally from Hobart, Tasmania, completed an Advanced Diploma of Dance as part of Sydney Dance Company's Pre-Professional Year in 2019-2020. During her training, she worked with numerous choreographers including Rafael Bonachela, Vicki Van Hout, and Jessica Goodfellow.
In January 2020, she performed in Stephanie Lake's Colossus at Sydney Festival. Sabine joined Sydney Dance Company as a trainee dancer in December 2020, performing in Rafael Bonachela's Impermanence and the company's Australian regional tour in 2021.
In January 2020, she performed in Stephanie Lake's Colossus at Sydney Festival. Sabine joined Sydney Dance Company as a trainee dancer in December 2020, performing in Rafael Bonachela's Impermanence and the company's Australian regional tour in 2021.
She also performed in Jasmin Sheppard's Given Unto Thee and Lilian Steiner's Springtime Again for the company's New Breed season in December 2021.
Sabine is currently enjoying the explorative and adventurous moments of her early career as a contemporary dance artist.
Sabine joined the Dancenorth Ensemble in 2022.
Sabine is currently enjoying the explorative and adventurous moments of her early career as a contemporary dance artist.
Sabine joined the Dancenorth Ensemble in 2022.
Tiana Lung
Performer / Choreographer
Tiana is a Sydney-born dancer who graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance in 2016. She has toured nationally and internationally as an independent freelancer, working with companies such as Taki Rua Productions, Okareka Dance Company, Discotheque Dance Company, Muscle Mouth, Movement of the Human and Chunky Move.
Tiana has also worked as a choreographer, and in 2021 she was awarded the Moving Ideas Residency from Readymade Works in Sydney with Isabel Estrella to develop their new work in progress, roach.
Tiana joined the Dancenorth Ensemble in 2022.
Tiana joined the Dancenorth Ensemble in 2022.
Aleeya McFadyen-Rew
Performer / Choreographer
Aleeya is a recent graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance. She has performed in Belle – A Performance of Air (Malia Johnston) and Ross McCormack’s Matter (New Zealand Dance Company/ Tempo Dance Festival).
Dancenorth first encountered Aleeya when she attended the Company ’s annual Secondment Program in 2024 and invited her to extend her time as a Secondment in the weeks that followed.
Aleeya joined the Dancenorth Ensemble in 2025.
Aleeya joined the Dancenorth Ensemble in 2025.
Jag Popham
Performer / Choreographer
Jag is a mover and maker born in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa / Auckland New Zealand and raised in Māngere. After graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance in 2015 he has gone on to perform across New Zealand, Australia, Asia and Europe.
He has worked with dance companies including Rambert, New Zealand Dance Company, Okareka Dance Company, and Australasian Dance Collective.
He has worked with dance companies including Rambert, New Zealand Dance Company, Okareka Dance Company, and Australasian Dance Collective.
Notable performances include the 2020 remount of Lloyd Newson’s (DV8) Enter Achilles, co-produced by Sadlers Wells and Rambert, and Salamander by Maxine Doyle (Punchdrunk) in collaboration with Es Devlin, as part of Brisbane Festival 2023.
Jag has a deep set love for all things movement, dance, martial arts, and sound design. Jag joined Dancenorth for the final leg of the national Wayfinder Tour in 2024 and joined the Ensemble in 2025.
Jag has a deep set love for all things movement, dance, martial arts, and sound design. Jag joined Dancenorth for the final leg of the national Wayfinder Tour in 2024 and joined the Ensemble in 2025.
Felix Sampson
Performer / Choreographer
After graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance in 2015, Felix joined Australian Dance Theatre as a full-time company dancer in 2016, performing in multiple works by Garry Stewart including Objekt, The Beginning of Nature and Doppelganger.
Felix joined Dancenorth in 2017 and, in addition to Wayfinder, has performed in Dust, NOISE, Communal Table, Rainbow Vomit, Attractor, Surge and One Infinity.
Felix joined Dancenorth in 2017 and, in addition to Wayfinder, has performed in Dust, NOISE, Communal Table, Rainbow Vomit, Attractor, Surge and One Infinity.
Alongside dance, Felix enjoys selecting records for local Townsville venues and writing music. He is also a member of indie pop two-piece Comfort Royale.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2022, their electric on-stage energy has seen them support the likes of Lime Cordiale, Thelma Plum and Haiku Hands.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2022, their electric on-stage energy has seen them support the likes of Lime Cordiale, Thelma Plum and Haiku Hands.
Michael Smith
Performer / Choreographer
Michael is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans contemporary dance, dance-theatre, film and installation, exploring themes of gender, queerness, persona and paradise while challenging traditional roles of audience and space.
Michael's choreographic works have been showcased at major festivals and platforms across the world. He received the Brisbane City Council Lord Mayors Fellowship (2019-2020), enabling opportunities across Europe and Israel.
Michael's choreographic works have been showcased at major festivals and platforms across the world. He received the Brisbane City Council Lord Mayors Fellowship (2019-2020), enabling opportunities across Europe and Israel.
Michael has collaborated with The Farm, STRUT Dance, QAGOMA, Opera Australia, and worked with independent artists including Liesel Zink and Matt Cornell.
He received two Matilda Awards in 2022 for his work Cowboy: Best Sound Design and Best New Australian Work. Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours, First Class - Dance Performance from QUT in 2014.
Michael joined the Dancenorth Ensemble in 2021.
He received two Matilda Awards in 2022 for his work Cowboy: Best Sound Design and Best New Australian Work. Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours, First Class - Dance Performance from QUT in 2014.
Michael joined the Dancenorth Ensemble in 2021.