Celebrated First Nations choreographers return for contemporary dance works at Sydney Opera House

Phoebe Blogg Published June 11, 2026 at 3.30pm (AWST)

arts

Dancer performing in 'Epilogue' as part of Triptych by Lewis Major. Image: Alessandro Botticelli.

Following critically acclaimed international seasons, two celebrated First Nations choreographers have arrived home for strictly limited seasons of contemporary dance works at the Sydney Opera House.

Bundjalung and Ngāpuhi artist Amrita Hepi makes her much-anticipated return with solo dance-theatre piece Rinse, and Bungandidj and Ngarrindjeri choreographer Lewis Major will present the Sydney premiere of Triptych, a triple-bill of short works.

"With some of the world's most enchanting and innovative contemporary dance works coming from Australians, we couldn't be more proud to invite Amrita Hepi and Lewis Major home to celebrate their international success," said Sydney Opera House director of programming Brenna Hobson.

"The local contemporary dance scene is thriving internationally, and the Sydney Opera House is privileged to celebrate an ecosystem that champions not only excellence, but a uniquely Australian perspective."

Playing from the 10 - 12 of September, Rinse sees Hepi combine a highly physical dance vocabulary with an evocative text in this striking solo performance.

The work, created by Hepi with acclaimed theatre-maker Mish Grigor and accompanied by sound design from composer Daniel Jenatsch, approaches the history of dance through a powerful decolonial lens.

Rinse has toured extensively since its debut - most notably premiering as the first Australian work ever performed at Festival d'Avignon - with subsequent seasons across Europe, the UK and Canada.

Renowned for her expressive experimental dance works, Hepi has twice been the recipient of the People's Choice Award at the Keir Choreographic Awards, and in 2018 was named one of Forbes Asia's 30 under 30.

*Rinse: Amrita Hepi, wearing blue pants and shoes that match a blue wall, kneels facing away from the camera and reaches up with her right arm.*

Playing from the 16th - 19th of September, Triptych by Major presents three luminous and award-winning short works - Prologue, Unfolding and Epilogue - this mixed bill choreographed by Lewis Major is a mesmerising fusion of movement, music and light.

Performed by four dancers, the interplay between lighting and sound design sits at the centre of the production, with the works linked thematically by ideas of duality and connection.

From humble beginnings as a sheep shearer in regional South Australia, Major is considered one of Australia's leading choreographic talents, with work performed across six continents to widespread acclaim.

After years of collaboration and mentorship under Russell Maliphant and Hofesh Schecter, Triptych is Major's own opus and has accrued more than a dozen award wins - including Best Dance (Adelaide Fringe Festival, 2025) and The Spirit of the Fringe Award (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2024).

Triptych will also be performed at Arts Centre Melbourne from the 23rd - 26th of September.