Critical Path

The Experimental Choreographic Program has wrapped for another year! And we’re celebrating 10 years since its inception in 2016. Presented by PSpace and @critical_path_ , in the last decade the ECP has become a vital platform for choreographers working experimentally, fostering rigorous artistic inquiry and advancing bold, innovative, and interdisciplinary approaches to movement practice. In 2026, Experimental Choreographic Resident Tamara Elkins (@tamaraelkinsartist ) used her time in Critical Path’s Drill Hall to develop a movement vocabulary using the premise that gestures and movements can act as a form of sigil spell work. The choreography will be performed in the new major work ‘Even a Colossus’ by @katybplummer . Our Experimental Choreographic Lab saw five incredible movement artists come together to expand their practice over two weeks with facilitator Martin Del Amo. Using collective time, space, resources, and mentorship the group took creative risks and developed new work in a supportive environment. The lab culminated in a dynamic (sold out!) public showing where Phaedra Brown (@phaedrabrownie ), Agustin Elaskar (@a.gooch.thing ), Nasim Patel (@nasimulacrum ), MaggZ (@magg._z ) and Ryuichi Fujimura (@ryuichifujimura3 ) shared their work-in-progress with audiences and the wider sector. We’re already excited for ECP 2027 and the next 10 years of this landmark program. Videography: Simon Croker. Video Edit: Jason Winston

Join Performance Space and Critical Path for a National Cultural Policy Drop-In Session! We get it, putting pen to paper to share your thoughts for the next National Cultural Policy (Revive 2.0) can be daunting, and keeps getting shunted down the to-do list. But we also know nothing will change unless we make our voices heard! We want to see as many independent, experimental and diverse creatives as possible adding their voice to the discussion, so we’re hosting a drop-in session. Saturday 23 May, 10am to 2pm Critical Path, 1C New Beach Road, Darling Point Drop in any time as suits BYO laptop / tablet etc. and the energy to put your thoughts on the new National Cultural Policy into writing. We will provide comfy seats, snacks, a collegial atmosphere with tech support if needed, tips to make sure your submission hits the mark, and a round of applause when you hit submit! Let’s ensure that Revive 2.0 reflects the full kaleidoscope of the arts in Australia! 🔗Let us know you're coming at the link in our bio

Premonition: At the end of a dream of a cave, a portal An atmosphere hangs weighted, falling upward toward the floor. Rhiannon Newton and Ivey Wawn inhabit dances that have already lived. They become hosts to a constellation of memories. In a durational performance that cycles between premonition and fulfilment, each iteration emerges, transforms, and disappears. Premonition unfolds as a shifting dreamscape, infesting the crevices of joints, nerve endings, cracks in the floor, and other dark interiors. We hope to see you in the cave. 📆 Sat 23 & 24 May, 2–4pm Audiences are invited to come and go as they please. 🔗 Register at the link in our bio 📹 Nisa East

APPLICATIONS FOR OUR RESPONSIVE RESIDENCY PROGRAM ARE NOW OPEN Critical Path is delighted to offer three Responsive Residencies for 2026/2027. NSW-based choreographers and dance artists are invited to propose projects with a focus on choreographic research. Proposals can be for the exploration of a new idea, question, or process that supports the development of your practice and/or the development of new work. Each residency includes up to $12,000 AUD and up to three weeks of space at the Drill Hall. Artists are welcome to suggest alternative spaces in NSW as part of their residency. The residency periods in the Drill Hall on offer include: 24 August –11 September 2026 10 – 28 May 2027 7 – 25 June 2027 APPLICATIONS CLOSE 8 JUNE 2026, 11:59PM There will be an online information session on Thursday 28th May, 4pm. Find out more in links in our bio. Photo: Chloe Chignell, SUNCUT, performance with sound composition by Mara Schwerdtfeger, Critical Path, 2026, photo: Anna Kučera.

apparently the highest wall-climber in 20 years at @critical_path_ 🙂‍↔️🫡 experimental choreographic lab @performancespace @critical_path_ in march - a beautiful time shared with @nasimulacrum @phaedrabrownie @a.gooch.thing @ryuichifujimura3 mentored by @madelam0 photos @sometimesnotalways videos @a.gooch.thing

A little taste of what was developed in the Experimental Choreographic Residency. I’m still processing all of the incredible things that came out of this residency with @performancespace and @critical_path_ The choreography developed will act as a set of spells and will be performed in the new major work ‘Even a Colossus’ by @katybplummer Thank you to the incredible dancers @louie_rachael_rachael_louie @lucy_doherty @sezannesvoid Filming by @miguelalexander Edited by @kubadora Music by @thereal_sallywhitwellmusic Costumes by @katybplummer

I recently had the pleasure of taking part in the Experimental Choreographic Lab with @performancespace & @critical_path_ , working on my project FLOP. FLOP looks at the physical and psychological labour of trying really, really hard, and the connection that comes with human effort. This lab facilitated such an important space to experiment & fail (majorly flop even..), that made my research into the joy of failing all the more rich! A huge thanks to @madelam0 , @a.gooch.thing , @magg._z , @ryuichifujimura3 & @nasimulacrum for your generosity over these two weeks ❤️‍🔥 Glorious photos by Lucy Parakhina @sometimesnotalways

Last month I was given the opportunity to continue the development of my new work 'Tell Distance' thanks to @performancespace and @critical_path as part of the Experimental Choreographic Lab This new development let me expand how I can use video editing logics as choreographic devices to complicate the establishment of clear narrative Digging deeper into disrupting the relationship between live perofrmance and screen, and pausing, jump-cutting, and desyncing with my digital doubles It was a delight to work alongside @phaedrabrownie , @a.gooch.thing , @magg._z and @ryuichifujimura3 under the excellent mentorship of @madelam0 Special thanks to @themattcornell and @louie_rachael_rachael_louie 📸 Lucy Parakhina, @sometimesnotalways 📹 @a.gooch.thing

Board Members 2026 Call Out! New opportunities have opened to join our Board. If you have a passion for our work and willingness to actively contribute to our mission, we’d love to hear from you! We are currently looking for new members to fulfill the roles of: * Treasurer * Secretary * First Nations Representative * Artist Representative Expressions of Interest close midnight Monday 18 May 2026 and all applicants will be notified by the end of May. For more information head to the Critical Path website or contact Agnès Michelet at [email protected]. Link to EOI is in bio. Photo: Dr Peter McKenzie performing Welcome to Country at the Experimental Choreographic Lab Showing, 2025, the Drill Hall, Critical Path in partnership with Performance Space, photo by Liz Ham. Image ID: A group of audience members are gathered outside the Drill Hall listening to a person in the centre of the space who is performing a Welcome to Country.

EOI FOR SPACE GRANTS, RESEARCH ROOM RESIDENCIES & CRITICAL PRACTICE Critical Path invites independent choreographers and dancers to experiment with ideas, undertake focused research and lead evening workshops in the Drill Hall from May to August 2026. You are invited to build your own residency by choosing up to 3 programs: Space Grant Research Room Residency Critical Practice Link to more information about each program and their dates in bio. DEADLINE: SUNDAY 19 APRIL 2026, 11:59PM, AEDT Photo: Marcus Whale, EVERY WILD IDEA, Performance at the Drill Hall, Critical Path, 2026, photo by Anna Kucera. @marcuswhaleinlandsea @annakucera.au

For the Experimental Choreographic Practice Residency with @performancespace and @critical_path_ I developed a new choreographic work for artist @katybplummer upcoming work Even a Colossus. Using the premise that gestures and movements can act as a form of sigil spell work, performers @lucy_doherty @sezannesvoid @louie_rachael_rachael_louie and I developed sets of spells to locate violence living in the body, to metabolise it and finally to protect the self and imagine futures. These spells will act as a vocabulary for the performers to draw upon as the full choreographic work is developed for the hour long video opera Even a Colossus. A huge thanks to the teams at Performance Space and Critical Path for making this residency possible, for all of your belief in the project and on the ground support. This development wouldn’t have been possible without the care, energy and generosity of the performers Lucy Doherty, Suzanne Claridge and Louie Wisby. I cannot thank you enough. Thank you again and again and again to Katy B Plummer for bringing me into your world and creating such a colossus project to collaborate within. Photos by Liz Ham @lizhamdotcom

LAST CHANCE TICKETS There’s just 3 tickets left for the 2026 Experimental Choreographic Showing! Tomorrow, join PSpace and Critical Path for a work-in-progress showing by this year's Experimental Choreographic Lab artists. Featuring five movement artists who have spent two weeks expanding their practice with facilitator Martin Del Amo, the showing will be an opportunity to witness the seeds of new choreographic works that have emerged in development. Featuring: Phaedra Brown (@phaedrabrownie ), Agustin Elaskar (@a.gooch.thing ), Nasim Patel (@nasimulacrum ), MaggZ (@magg._z ) and Ryuichi Fujimura (@ryuichifujimura3 ). 📆5 pm, 28 March 📍The Drill Hall, Critical Path Book now. 🔗in bio. 📷 Ryuichi Fujimura in CAAP’s Work in Progress 2025. Photo by Justin Cueno.