Araluen Arts Centre: 
Lighting the Dark | Dance North Australia
Dance North Australia & Araluen Arts Centre present Lighting the Dark.
A journey to the very centre of what it means to be human.
Lighting the Dark is a bold new work by Chris Dyke, a Kaurna (Adelaide) based dancer and choreographer living with Down syndrome.
Chris, the embodiment of love itself, emanates compassion, transcending limitations and inviting us all into his radiant embrace. Yet, amidst his rich internal landscape of dreams and boundless imagination, the world often fails to see beyond the cover of the book – a book that if we dared to open, would reveal a radical inspiration, creative brilliance, hope and love.
With the mesmerising Dancenorth Ensemble by his side, Chris leads the way, transforming the stage into a portal where love and light illuminate the darkness. A masterpiece of collaboration and community, Lighting the Dark reminds us of the complexity of life’s challenges.
Inspired by the iconic figures of Banksy, David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, Chris finds kinship in their revolutionary spirit, each serving as a reflection of his own vision.
Lighting the Dark is a profound celebration of the human experience, a transcendent journey that traverses individual and universal truths in a dance to the very centre of what it means to be human.
Gallery
CAST, CREATIVES & CREW
Direction: Chris Dyke
Concept and Choreography: Chris Dyke, Amber Haines, Kyle Page
Composition and Sound Design: Anna Whitaker with Additional Lyrics and Composition by Felix Sampson
Design: Andrew Treloar
Lighting Design: Chloe Ogilvie
Performers/Choreographers: Chris Dyke, Sabine Crompton-Ward, Tiana Lung, Aleeya McFadyen-Rew, Jag Popham, Felix Sampson, Michael Smith.
Production Manager: Candice Marshall
DIRECTORS’ NOTE
Happiness, Connection and Love.
These are the things I want you to feel when you watch Lighting the Dark.
Each of my heroes (Banksy, David Bowie, Queen, Batman, Superman, Flash and Spiderman) have their own dark side. Banksy, with his mask and hood, paints pictures at night in the dark, he has even gone deep down underground to paint train carriages in tunnels beneath the earth. In the morning when the sun illuminates the beautiful artwork, people come to see and take photos and share them all around the world. The messages in Banksy’s work inspire the same three qualities I hope to remind you of: Happiness, Connection and Love.
Thank you to the dancers, Felix, Sabine, Tiana, Aleeya, Jag, and Michael, as well as the creatives Chloe, Anna, and Andrew – you are all super men and wonder women. Thank you to Hillary, Eloise, Candice, Daniel, Caitlin, Sarah, Aaron, Susannah, Yoshie, and everyone at Dancenorth. Thank you to my family. And thank you, Kyle Page and Amber Haines. This is our shared dream.
My heroes reflect my own power back to me. And this power is not just in me, it is in all of us. I hope this show inspires you to take it to the next level.
Love and peace,
Chris Dyke
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
LIGHTING THE DARK was commissioned by Brisbane Festival, and is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, and the Ian Potter Foundation. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. Dancenorth Australia is assisted by both the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Dancenorth Australia is also supported by Townsville City Council.
IMAGE CREDITS
Hero Image: Amber Haines
Production Images: Aaron Ashley and David Kelly
1. Lighting the Dark Hero Image CREDIT Amber Haines 2024
2. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 01_Sabine Crompton-Ward, Chris Dyke, Tiana Lung_Image by David Kelly 2024
3. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 02_Chris Dyke_Image by David Kelly 2024
4. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 03_Image by David Kelly 2024
5. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 04_Damian Meredith_Image by David Kelly 2024
6. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 05_Damian Meredith, Chris Dyke_Image by David Kelly 2024
7. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 06_Chris Dyke_Image by David Kelly 2024
8. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 07_Chris Dyke, Tiana Lung_Image by David Kelly 2024
9. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 08_Michael Smith, Chris Dyke_Image by David Kelly 2024
10. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 09_Chris Dyke_Image by David Kelly 2024
11. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 10_Chris Dyke_Image by David Kelly 2024
12. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 11_Sabine Crompton-Ward, Chris Dyke, Tiana Lung, Damian Meredith, Darci O'Rourke, Felix Sampson and Michael Smith_Image by David Kelly 2024
13. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 12_Sabine Crompton-Ward, Chris Dyke, Tiana Lung, Damian Meredith, Darci O'Rourke, Felix Sampson and Michael Smith_Image by David Kelly 2024
14. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 13_Sabine Crompton-Ward, Chris Dyke, Tiana Lung, Damian Meredith, Darci O'Rourke, Felix Sampson and Michael Smith_Image by David Kelly 2024
15. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 14_Sabine Crompton-Ward, Chris Dyke, Tiana Lung, Damian Meredith, Darci O'Rourke, Felix Sampson and Michael Smith_Image by David Kelly 2024
16. Lighting the Dark_Brisbane Festival Dress Rehearsal 15_Sabine Crompton-Ward, Chris Dyke, Tiana Lung, Damian Meredith, Darci O'Rourke, Felix Sampson and Michael Smith_Image by David Kelly 2024
17. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 01_Felix Sampson, Michael Smith and Chris Dyke_Image by Tszar
18. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 02_Chris Dyke_Image by Tszar
19. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 03_Felix Sampson, and Chris Dyke_Image by Tszar
20. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 04_Chris Dyke and Felix Sampson_Image by Tszar
21. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 05_Michael Smith_Image by Tszar
22. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 06_Chris Dyke and the Dancenorth Ensemble_Image by Tszar
23. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 07_Tiana Lung_Image by Tszar
24. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 08_Michael Smith, Chris Dyke and Amber Haines_Image by Tszar
25. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 09_Chris Dyke, Felix Sampson, Amber Haines and Sabine-Crompton-Ward_Image by Tszar.jpg
26. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 10_Chris Dyke, Amber Haines, Michael Smith and Damian Meredith_Image by Tszar
27. Lighting the Dark_Townsville Dress Rehearsal 11_Chris Dyke, Amber Haines, Tiana Lung, Michael Smith and Felix Sampson_Image by Tszar
Dates
Times
7pm
Duration
60 minutes
Interval
None
Prices
Adult
$60
Concession
$55
Student
$55
Child
$38
2026 Araluen Member
$50
Sign up to become a 2026 Araluen Member here!
Genre
Location
Extra information
Online ticketing is available up until one hour prior to the performance.
For ticket purchases after this time, please visit the Araluen Box Office or call us on (08) 8951 1122.
Accessibility
Rating
All ages
Booking Fee
For this event, a one-off service fee of $2.50 per transaction applies on all purchases online. All ticket prices include GST.
