We’re delighted to shine a spotlight on the award-winning and prolific WA choreographer Emma Fishwick, who’s had a busily brilliant period of professional and new work development the second half of 2025.
Emma kicked off the year with her Minderoo Residency at Forrest Hall, focusing on research for her new dance work I promise you this time it’s true: performance in a time of exhaustion. Exploring personal truths, beliefs and convictions during a time of global crisis, she interviewed first responder professionals and community members to create filmed portraits, photographic stills and transcripts.
Following this research time, Emma attended ImPulsTanz, the Vienna International Dance Festival in July-August to participate in choreographic development program ATLAS, which provided access to studio space, peer-to-peer exchange, dramaturgical guidance from renowned practitioner Guy Cools and attendance across the festival program of international dance productions.
Back in Perth, Emma headed into the studio at King Street Arts Centre across September-October to continue development on I promise you this time it’s true. Working with dancers Zendra Giraudo, Ella-Rose Trew, Isabella Stone and James O’Hara alongside sound designer Tristen Parr and dramaturg Renée Newman, Emma developed movement sequences to scenography for this new work.
Now in rehearsal at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Emma and Ella-Rose are working with 2nd year Dance students to create a response to Nanette Hassall’s last choreographic work Terra as part of the Verge ’25 program celebrating the history of WAAPA Dance, to be presented in the Geoff Gibbs Theatre from 14-19 November.
And not quite ready to call it a year, Emma is heading to Gadigal country in November to work with the Sydney Dance Company ensemble. She is one of four choreographers showcased in their popular New Breed season, showing at Carriageworks from 3-13 December.
