About Balletlab

"BalletLab is a provocative outstanding company in the upper league of Australian contemporary dance." - The Australian Review

"Phillip Adams is one the few Melbourne artists whose work approaches the sublime in the most sophisticated sense of the term - his choreography often exceeds the boundaries of the rational mind to produce an experience beyond words, logic or interpretation." - John Bailey, Sunday Age

Strikingly contemporary in nature and physically idiosyncratic, BalletLab's works contain a complexity that can be intense - providing a transforming, often provocative and polarising experience for the audience and the performer. Artistic Director Phillip Adams' work defies simple categorization because of his unique assembly of people and objects, across time and context to explore set narratives. The visual spectacle of the concept-driven movement, imagery and striking design play equally important roles within his choreography. Phillip's meticulously developed creations have ranged from exuberant, technically virtuosic dance for performance in traditional theatres to sophisticated boutique works that can be presented in non-traditional settings or experienced as installations. Recent works explore the potential of collaboration in order to create resonant contemporary performance.

BalletLab brings significant artistic partners to each project in order to create original, distinctive works that are proudly made in Melbourne for a global market. Since its inception in 1999, BalletLab has toured nationally and internationally, performing at festivals and venues in the USA, China, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, England, Korea, Mongolia, Romania and Bulgaria.

BalletLab debuted with the sell out Melbourne season of Amplification in 1998. Amplification went on to win two Green Room Awards and an Australian Dance Award Nomination. Following the success of Amplification, BalletLab created Upholster (2000), Ei Fallen (2001), The Self-Encasing Trilogy (2002-03), Nativity (2003), Incarnation (2004), Fiction (2004) Origami (2006) Brindabella (2007) Axeman Lullaby (2008), Miracle (2009) and Above/Lamb (2011). Above/Lamb was developed cross-continentally in 2010-2011, in Australia (Above) with BalletLab dancers, and in Mexico (Lamb) with Mexican dance company, Lux Boreal. Lamb premiered in March 2011 in the Festival de Mexico and has since been presented in the USA. Above was presented as part of The Trilogy for the Museum of Old and New Art Festival of Music and Art in January 2011 in Hobart. Aviary (2009-2011) was developed in association with The Australian Ballet and made a world premiere in the Melbourne Festival 2011.  Aviary is available for touring in 2012-14.

BalletLab's Brindabella was awarded a Green Room Award for Best Music in 2008. Axeman Lullaby was awarded two Green Room Awards for Best Choreography and Best Music and received a Helpmann Award Nomination (Best Choreography) in 2009. Miracle was awarded two Green Room Awards for Best Lighting and Best Dance/Music composition and Performance from five nominations in 2010. It also received three Helpmann Award Nominations (Best Choreography, Best Sound Design and Best New Australian Work) in 2010.