Do you know what is needed for a hip-hop dance competition?
PIONEERS is an explosive outdoor dance theatre work about the origins and journey of Western Sydney’s Hip Hop MegaCrew ‘The Pioneers’.
Full of energy, history and immaculate choreography, this work follows a community of queer, young, culturally diverse artists who together use dance to carve out public space and reclaim their identity.
From the worlds of Ballroom, Hip-Hop competitions, parenthood, and cultural ancestry, this dance will invigorate optimism and reignite freedom. PIONEERS celebrates the beauty of friendship and highlights young people’s survival in the 21st century.
With love and dedication to dance – second to none – The Pioneers are Australia’s bravest dance crew.
Come and be a part of this legacy.
Contact: Jacqueline Hornjik
M. +61 4 08 431 540
E. jacqueline@pyt.com.au
DOCUMENTATION
Please contact Jacqueline Hornjik jacqueline@pyt.com.au for a full copy of the 2024 premiere archival.
LOCATION
Pioneers is an outdoor site-specific work where street dance is able to reclaim public spaces. Ideas for locations include outdoor public spaces, car parks and other spaces needing activation.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Eliam Royalness
Performers / Devisors Jamaica Moana, Neda Taha, Rennard Velasco, Roseleen Velasco and Eliam Royalness
Music Jamaica Moana
Visual Artist Feras Shaheen
Mentor / Dramaturg Nick Powers
Choreographic Support Larissa McGowan
Lighting Designer Elyse Drenth
Producer PYT Fairfield, Gabriela Green Olea
CREW AND ORGANISERS
Creative Producer PYT Fairfield
Gabriela Green Olea – gabriela@pyt.com.au, 0449 178 504
Production Manager Elyse Drenth – edrenth@pyt.com.au
GENERAL
Duration: 60 minutes without interval
Latecomers: Entry point TBC (dependent on venue setup)
Warnings: Course language and brief discussion of adult themes
Ages: All Ages
DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION HISTORY
2025 – Premiere at Customs House as part of Art & About, Presentation at Blacktown Arts
2023 – Development and Preview Presentation at Crescent Plaza as part of Sydney WorldPride
2022 – Development at PYT Fairfield
2021 – Development at PYT Fairfield
2020 – Development at PYT Fairfield
TOURING AND TECHNICAL (subject to change)
Touring Party: 8 – 10
The Creative Producer, Dramaturg and/or Visual Artist may travel with the show to some initial venues.
Capacity: As this work is a site-specific work capacity will vary depending on the site.
Weather Plan: In light rain weather, the show will go on with minor adjustments to the speakers and moving lights to protect them against the elements. Presenters should opt for weatherproof Lighting and Sound equipment that can handle light rain. In heavy rain weather, we will cancel the show as heavy rain is deemed unsafe for our talent to perform.
| Scheduling: | Maximum 4 shows per week, depending on travel schedule Show call for cast will be 2 hours prior to the show’s starting open time As this work is a site specific work capacity will vary depending on the site. Media Calls to be scheduled with the Company. |
| Staging: | Pioneers is an outdoor work utilising the existing space in which the show inhabits. The show’s staging and audience placement will be heavily dependent on the space and rehearsal time in the space would be necessary to finalise these aspects. |
| Space: | As this is an outdoor show the company will require a separate warm up space for before the show. This space should be different from a dressing room or green room space. The company will also need a private tented area at the performance site for costume changes. |
| On stage: | Provided by the Company. All costumes and props needed for the show.2x Pioneers BannersVinyl floor stickers3x1.5m Fluro Yellow Perspex sheet cover for scaffold |
| Load In: | Full day required. |
| Show crew required: | Pre-Rig – 4x LX (lighting) Technicians for approx. 4hr callBump-in – 1x Venue Technician (Sound and LX), 1x AV Technician, 3x Lighting Technicians if no Pre-Rig possibleShow Crew – Venue Manager and Ushers as per venue policy, 1x Venue Technician/LX OperatorBump Out – 1x Mechanist, 1x Venue Technician, 2x Technicians Show crew call: At least 90 mins prior to the show, and at least 30 mins post-show. Venue Manager and Usher as per venue policy. |
| Rigging: | All lights will be required to be rigged at height. Depending on the LX Design for the show some rigging elements may be required such as truss structures and/or truss set as uprights. |
| Audio: | Presenter to provide. 4x (min) speaker setup for the space. The speaker configuration will depend on what is the best way to broadcast the sound for the space. The output from QLab is a simple L-R stereo signal, ideally with a subwoofer to give depth.2x Handheld Radio Mics 2x radio mic packs, with under-costume belt-packs for the performers (2 cast), with suitable headset mics suitable for speech 1x desk that allows for L-R output, with a cable for 3.5mm input from the headphone jack of the show computerHeadset communication between SM and Operators/TechniciansAll associated cabling |
| Lighting: | LX requirements are entirely dependent on the size and layout of the venue and may need to be amended/decreased/increased to suit. Our PM and SM require full access to all dimmers, patching systems and control gear for the duration of the season. |
| Staging: | Presenters to provide Scaffold platform 3.5meters tall x 2.5 meters wide x 800mm deep with side supports. 2 x large road cases (2 x 1.5×1.5×1.5m – or thereabouts) The following equipment list is based on previous presentation: Minimum of 2 x 3phase outlets required8x 3m Upright Truss8x Chauvet Intimidator 375Z Moving Head 32x LED Par Hex 12 20m Festoon Incandescent Lights ETC ION Desk All associated cablingRain covers for weather sensitive materials Power Distribution 6ch Rack Mount 3RU: 6 x 20 Amp Circuit 12 Outlet |
| Back of house: | Adequate, secure, lockable dressing rooms for the whole company – with adequate temperature control, chairs, mirrors, tables and lighting sufficient to complete makeup Sufficient wardrobe racks and coat hangers for costumes A separate private warm up space for dancers to use pre show Access to bathroom facilities in the Back of House area Secure storage for props, costumes and personal items. If possible, a valuables safe. Wi-Fi access to Internet Greenroom facilities including fridge, microwave, kettle and sink with water, crockery and cutlery Hand-sanitiser, disposable antibacterial wipes, disposable facemasks, and a rubbish bin. Access to an ironing board, as well as a garment steamer, if possible Back of house access for all cast, crew and company. |
| Stage Management: | SM needs to call the show from a location with a clear line of sight to the stage Ability to communicate with FOH either directly or via Venue Tech or FOH Manager Wi-Fi access to Internet Access to a fully equipped first aid kit Access to a vacuum cleaner for carpets Adequate backstage lighting Hand sanitizer, disinfectant cleaning sprays, antibacterial wipes, cloths and rubbish bins. |
| Consumables: | Required batteries for wireless microphones Coffee, tea, drinking water, milk, biscuits and dishwashing detergent for greenroom Spare bulbs for in-house conventional fixtures |
| Presenter to provide: | Performance space and audience seatingProduction and technical as above (Producer to provide select elements as outlined below)In-house technical assistance.Overnight security for outdoor equipment |
| Producer to provide: | All props, costumes and set dressingsShow computer with QLAB show file |
Sample Outline of Possible Production Schedule:
Pre-Production Days
| 10:00 | 22:00 | Crew Call |
| 10:00 | 13:00 | Bump In |
| 13:00 | 14:00 | Crew Meal Break |
| 14:00 | 22:00 | Performers Call |
| 14:00 | 17:30 | Rehearsal at PYT |
| 14:00 | 17:30 | Bump In |
| 17:30 | 18:30 | Meal Break |
| 18:30 | 21:30 | LX Plot and Focus |
| 21:30 | 22:00 | Daily Pack Down |
| 10:00 | 22:00 | Crew Call |
| 10:00 | 13:00 | Bump In + Tech Work |
| 13:00 | 14:00 | Crew Meal Break |
| 14:00 | 22:00 | Performers Call |
| 14:00 | 17:30 | Technical Rehearsal |
| 17:30 | 18:30 | Meal Break |
| 18:30 | 19:00 | Warm Up |
| 19:00 | 21:30 | Dress Rehearsal (filmed) |
| 21:30 | 22:00 | Daily Pack Down |
Production Show Days
| 14:00 | 22:00 | Performers Call (PC) |
| 14:00 | 15:00 | Crew Meal Break (MB) |
| 14:00 | 15:00 | Performers Warm Up |
| 15:00 | 17:30 | On Stage Rehearsal / Notes |
| 17:30 | 18:30 | Meal Break (MB) |
| 18:30 | 21:30 | FOH Call |
| 18:30 | 19:00 | Stage Time / Warm Up |
| 19:00 | 19:15 | Stage Clear Ready for show |
| 19:15 | 19:30 | House Open |
| 19:30 | 20:30 | Performance #1 |
