· Queensland Ballet has announced the creative teams for its annual Bespoke season
· Choreographers: Clare Voss, Victor Zarallo, Daniel Jaber
· Composers: Connor D’Netto, Brady Watkins, Luke Peacock
· Each choreographer will collaborate with a composer to create an original new work
· World premieres: 2 October 2026
· Venue: Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre, Brisbane
Photos and biographies here
Bespoke 2026: Creative Artists Announced
Brisbane, 20 March, 2026: Today, Queensland Ballet announced the creative artists selected to produce their own work for the annual Bespoke season. Choreographers, Clare Voss, Victor Zarallo and Daniel Jaber will be joined by composers Connor D’Netto, Brady Watkins, and Luke Peacock respectively, to premiere their works on 2 October 2026 in the Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre.
In 2026, the Bespoke program took a new direction under Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega. Queensland Ballet invited artists from across Australia to submit new ideas that push the boundaries of movement, music and design. Three standout concepts were selected.
“Part of my vision is to give all choreographers and designers the opportunity to create and collaborate. When artists from different disciplines come together, it sparks new ideas and allows bold new voices to emerge.”
“I trained in the tradition of the legendary choreographer John Cranko and was aware of how he nurtured and influenced a generation of choreographic voices such as Sir Kenneth MacMillian, Sir Peter Wright and German choreographer, Christian Spuck, whose work we are presenting this year.”
“Choreographers Claire Voss, Victor Zarallo, and Daniel Jaber each bring a distinctive creative spark to their concepts. By giving them the space and support to bring their visions to life, we’re helping shape the future of the artform,” Gil-Ortega added.
Specialising in innovation and relevance, French-born Clare Voss brings more than 18 years of experience across leading ballet companies, creating works that combine both beauty and meaning. Zarallo, a choreographer, dancer and teacher looks forward to bringing his passion for dance and artistic expression to Bespoke. Jabar, who recently worked with Gary Stewart on the popular sold-out production of Elastic Hearts, is excited to work again with the Queensland Ballet dancers.
These choreographers will be collaborating with a distinguished line-up of composers to bring their productions to life.
Connor D’Netto, who is working alongside Voss has been described as ‘the model contemporary Australian composer’ by ABC Classic FM, will bring his balancing act of rhythm and heartfelt lyricism to their production. With commissions from leading orchestras such as LA Philharmonic and Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, D’Netto is known for his ability to incorporate a classical voice with elements of electronic music. 1/3
Working with both Queensland Theatre and La Boite, Brady Watkins specialises in composition and sound design for visual media and looks forward to working alongside choreographer, Victor Zarallo in 2026.
Luke Peacock, a descendant of the Meriam people of the Torres Strait Islands (Erub), is a multi-award-winning singer/songwriter, musician and up and coming producer, has performed and collaborated with some of the most esteemed names in music internationally such as Thelma Plum and Asha Jefferies. He remains committed to his community and support for rising First Nations musicians.
Costume designers, Bethany Cordwell and Michelle Potts bring their experience and qualifications to Bespoke, designing the costumes for Victor Zarallo and Claire Voss.
Brisbane-based Cordwell is an award-winning costume and fashion designer known for her intricately detailed, concept-driven work that merges wearable art with visual storytelling. Her designs have been worn by Beyonce and featured in Vogue Australia and Vogue UK. After more than six years with Queensland Ballet, she looks forward to returning to Bespoke in 2026.
A successful slow fashion business owner, Potts is well versed in the world of fashion and designing with a thorough understanding of garment construction and responsible manufacturing processes, she is passionate about reducing the impacts that garment making has on our environment.
Lighting designers Anthony Lee, and Matthew Allan have a combined experience of almost 50 years in the lighting industry.
Specialising in pushing the boundaries of light, technology and storytelling, and creating immersive and multidisciplinary works that engage audiences, Lee’s portfolio spans Australia, Asia, and the Middle East with works such as Theatrical Hair Show and Light Seeker: The Musical.
Allan is a lighting designer and production specialist with extensive experience in theatre, dance and live performance in Australia and around the world, he is passionate about shaping performance through light while prioritising safety and efficiency.
Bespoke opens 2 – 17 October, 2026 at Thomas Dixon Centre, Talbot Theatre.
# ENDS #
Dates: 2 – 17 October 2026, Venue: Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre
Tickets: $45 - $89. Available here
Editors’ Note: Interviews and photos: Claire Vince, [email protected] / 0468 726 910.
Photos and biographies here
About Queensland Ballet Queensland Ballet's mission is to contribute to Australia's cultural landscape by being an integral part of the national and international ballet ecology - striving for artistic excellence, pathways for emerging artists, and impact through our community outreach, education, and Dance Health programs. We aim to enrich lives and contribute to wellness across society through the magic of ballet.
FAST FACTS
- Victor Zarallo has worked with renowned choreographers such as David Dawson, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, William Forsythe, Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Christopher
Bruce, Angelin Preljocaj, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.
- Throughout her career, Claire Voss performed many principle and soloist roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the Sylph in La Sylphide, Gamzatti in La Bayadère, Myrtha in Giselle, and Olga in Onegin.
- In 2025, Daniel Jaber was an assistant to the choreographer Garry Stewart on the Queensland Ballet world premiere of Elastic Hearts in 2026.
- Conner D’Netto’s first opera The Call, commissioned by Opera Queensland with libretto by Kate Miller-Heidke was a finalist for the 2023 Work of The Year: Dramatic at the APRA Art Music Awards.
- Brady Watkins’ credits include creating scores for theatre such as Tiny Beautiful Things, Dead Puppets Society, The 39 Steps, Shirley Valentine, and Macbeth.
- Luke Peacock has accompanied Thelma Plum (ABC’s The Sound, Triple J’s Live At the Wireless) and played as a multi-instrumentalist for artists including Halfway, Alice Skye, Tia Gostelow, Jem Cassar-Daley and the surf-soundtrack collective, Headland.
- Bethany Cordwell’s designs gained international attention with Beyonce wearing one of her bespoke bodysuits on her album visuals for Renaissance.
- In 2020, Michelle Potts completed an online course on Fashion and Sustainability with London College of Fashion to further her understanding of the textile industry’s huge impact on our environment.
- Anthony Lee was recognised with a nomination for a design award for Samsung’s LED installation at Vivid Sydney.
- Matthew Allan’s work includes major productions and touring shows such as The Illusionists international tours and Opera Australia’s West Side Story.
Contact details:
Dates: 2 – 17 October 2026, Venue: Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre
Tickets: $45 - $89. Available here
Interviews and photos: Claire Vince, [email protected] / 0468 726 910.
