Seet Dance

Field Dances was created in 1963 by legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham. In March 2023, Seet Dance and Melissa Toogood, with support of the Merce Cunningham Trust NYC, embarked on a project to re-stage this timeless work in Sydney. The performance marked two historic FIRSTS … the first time in Australia that non-Cunningham dancers performed a complete work by this master choreographer and the first time that Field Dances was performed in this country. NYC dance luminary Melissa Toogood, a former Merce Cunningham Company dancer, worked with Seet Dance senior students to stage the piece. An original music score was created and played by Xinyang Li, celebrated pipa (琵琶) player, after the original score by John Cage. The 1963 costume designs by Robert Rauschenberg were also recreated by Charemaine for the dance. Leotards were donated by Bloch Australia, and then hand painted along with the silk capes. It was an inspiring effort by many hearts and minds across the dance world. The performance was supported by Seet Dance families and March Dance (Sydney’s festival for independent contemporary dance) who awarded their 2023 bursary to Charemaine to help produce this extraordinary evening.