A look at the ethos of America’s hottest dance mavericks as they prepare to head down under.

Arts organisations are usually no strangers to financial hardship, so the story of New York based dance troupe Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet is enviable to say the least. Founded by dance aficionado, arts philanthropist, and billionaire Walmart heiress, Nancy Walton Laurie, Cedar Lake represents what is possible when money is no object. Just under a decade ago, Laurie set out to establish what she hoped would become one of the finest dance companies in America. With virtually limitless funds the vision was simple: dancers would be employed full time and choreography must be by the finest dancemakers in the world. The advantages of this manifesto is not lost on Artistic Director, Alexandra Damiani. “It’s really extraordinary. Totally unique within the world of contemporary dance,” she admits. “Dancers having a 52 week contract is unheard of!”
This generosity has resulted in a troupe of formidably talented dancers and a catalogue of repertoire by a list of choreographers that reads like a who’s-who of the world’s most admired contemporary dancemakers. Despite a roll-call which includes choreographic royalty like Ohad Naharin, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and...