11/08/2026
We are thrilled to announce Charmene Yap and Cass Mortimer Eipper as Co-Artistic Directors, sharing artistic leadership of Co3 from January 2027 — the return of two stellar and highly respected artists whose early careers were shaped by Western Australia.
Charmene Yap is an award-winning dance artist, choreographer and rehearsal director whose practice spans contemporary dance, theatre, opera and film. A graduate of WAAPA, her career includes work with Sydney Dance Company, Chunky Move and Lucy Guerin Inc, recognised with two Helpmann Awards and an Australian Dance Award.
Cass Mortimer Eipper is an award-winning choreographer and director whose work spans contemporary dance, live performance, film and installation, presented by Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra, Australasian Dance Collective and Queensland Ballet, with international commissions in Canada and the US. He began his career with West Australian Ballet and received the 2015 Helpmann Award for Best Male Dancer.
Together, Charmene and Cass co-created Grey Rhino, presented at Sydney Festival 2022 — proof of an already-thriving creative partnership, and now relocating with their family to Boorloo/Perth to lead Co3 together.
"This isn't simply a move west for us — Western Australia shaped us both as artists, so the opportunity to return and lead Co3 together means a great deal," the incoming Co-Artistic Directors shared. "We see Co3 as a place where ambitious dance is made, where artists can take risks, and where work born in Western Australia can resonate nationally and internationally."
Under their shared leadership, Charmene and Cass will co-choreograph major ensemble works and jointly curate and commission across the season.
They succeed inaugural Artistic Director Raewyn Hill, whose twelve years of bold leadership shaped Co3 into a company recognised nationally and internationally. Raewyn remains Artistic Director through December 2026, returning in 2027 as Co3 Creative Fellow.
We look forward to hosting Charmene and Cass in Perth this November ahead of their 1 January 2027 start date.
To read more click here: https://co3.org.au/co3-contemporary-dance-australia-announces-charmene-yap-and-cass-mortimer-eipper-as-co-artistic-directors/
Photograph by Bonnie Hansen Photography
Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia (Co3) is thrilled to announce Charmene Yap and Cass Mortimer Eipper have been appointed Co-Artistic Directors, sharing the artistic leadership of one of Australia’s most distinctive…