B i o g r a p h y
A Tasmanian based in Melbourne Australia, Luke began dancing with Stompin and trained at the Victorian College of the Arts School of Dance. His current practice encompasses performing, collaborating, choreographing, teaching and curating.
As a performer, Luke has been fortunate to have worked with Gideon Obarzanek and Chunky Move, Phillip Adams’ BalletLab, Jo Lloyd, Stephanie Lake, Frances d’Ath, Shelley Lassica, Jerril Rechter, ITOH Kim (Tokyo) and Miguel Gutierrez (New York). He has performed and toured in Australia, Europe, Asia and North America.
As a choreographer Luke has created: LIFESIZE, Here – not now, Special Mention (with Bec Reid), and the Trike dance project (with Stephanie Lake and Frances d’Ath). Luke was Artistic Director of Stompin, Australia’s foremost youth dance company 2002-2008, during which he directed and choreographed 6 new works with hundreds of young dancers: Underground; Joyride; SYNC; Age of Consent; Home; and Panoramadrama.
Luke’s work has been presented by Arts House, Dancehouse, PICA, Dance Massive, Next Wave festival, Melbourne Fringe and 10 Days on the Island festival. Luke has been commission by Sydney Opera House and the Australian Regional Arts festival and has performed his work in New York City and Tokyo. Luke has choreographed for the acclaimed Malthouse Theatre, Back to Back and Arena theatre companies. Luke is currently resident performance maker for a club night called JOHN.
Luke teaches dance classes and workshops throughout Australia and overseas. Luke has been on the curatorial panel for the Next Wave festival and currently with Brooke Stamp co-facilitates First Run hosted by Lucy Guerin Inc.
Recognition: Asialink Performing Arts Residency to Tokyo, Arts House CultureLAB Residency, Russell Page Fellowship for Contemporary Dance, and Melbourne Festival Choice Award and Fringe Movement Award – Trike.
Photo – Byron Perry