What are the ties that bind us to life? Tangible and intangible tethers that connect us to others, to objects, to life itself. From birth, through our lives, and finally, to the point of the final letting go of death, these cords are the continual thread that keep us connected to each other and the stories we tell. This work will untangle what cords we must untangle to keep the cycle of existence flowing. The notion of sentiment is at the work’s core, defined by emotion, past histories, memory and the self” –  Jasmin Sheppard, Choreographer.

The Cord is a provocative new contemporary dance work by acclaimed First Nations choreographer: Jasmin Sheppard. Told through diverse cross–cultural perspectives using contemporary dance, physical theatre, found and verbatim text, and First Nations performance practice, The Cord ultimately explores identity and what ties us all together.

This 60 minute work is visually dynamic with the performance space dissected by a long woven cord and strewn with personal objects, providing a landscape for the performers to inhabit.

Commissioned by Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub, The Cord connects cultural communities, bringing together 7 unique artists from diverse cultural backgrounds including Choreographer: Jasmin Sheppard, a Tagalaka Aboriginal woman with Irish, Chinese and Hungarian ancestry, First Nations emerging artist Maddison Fraser,  Kyle Ramboyong, Alexandra Ford, Jack Tuckerman, First Nations composer Amy Flannery, and Shana O’Brien a First Nations artist residing on Darkinjung Land

Supported by: Creative Australia, Create NSW, City of Newcastle and the University of Newcastle