A photography series by Aaron Walker for the production of Le Sacré performed at NICA in June 2018

Earlier this year I had the chance to cover all aspects of the Le Sacré production. I wanted to share the whole process from the studio shoot through the backstage rehearsals to the final staged production. In the first collaboration of its kind in Australian performance history, the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) and The Australian Ballet School (the ABS) came together in June to present an electrifying innovative work combining ballet and circus, Le Sacré. 

Featuring 18 second year circus performers from NICA and 26 level seven ballet students from The Australian Ballet School, Le Sacré is an account of dynamism, risk, supreme athleticism and sublime technical physicality. A tale of superstition and sacrifice, it is inspired by the narrative of Nijinsky and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring (1913). Directed and Choreographed by Zebastian Hunter, Meredith Kitchen and Simon Dow.

I worked alongside the marketing team at NICA on the Le Sacré promotional image to be used for all the marketing collateral. I gathered up my best team of creatives and jumped into the studio where we pulled together our best ideas, costumes, makeup, coffee and tunes. We rigged the equipment, blew fur, hair and feathers around with fans, and explored what we could create with a circus artist and a ballerina. During the rehearsal process of the production, I was able to capture some candid moments while the ABS with very limited time was collaborating with the NICA students. Then a successful opening night leading to a run of shows. I did enjoy running around the wide stage wondering how on earth I could capture the most poignant moments when the stage was so busy!