It is a creative hub with an artistic vision driven by choreographer and artistic director Cadi McCarthy – who has an extensive professional background in contemporary dance –  with a mission to strengthen the presence of contemporary dance in Newcastle. 

The first thing you notice is there are no mirrors inside the Catapult studio. 

“We have had lots of offers of mirrors,” says Jess Coughlan , who works in marketing and administration for Catapult.  

“It is something we are fairly set on. We are about dance and movement. We have a strong focus on technique but not competitiveness.”

Contemporary dance is a dynamic style in which the body moves with the forces of gravity instead of against them, Coughlan said. 

Catapult offers an array of dance classes, including adult beginners, but it also has a focus on working with professional dance artists to provide opportunities for collaboration for the development of new works.

It runs three week residencies under its Propel program. 

“Dancers who are at the top of their artistic career are invited to come for three weeks to create a work and while they are here they collaborate with a Newcastle artist or creative,” Coughlan said.

Master-classes by established contemporary dancers are also part of the Catapult program. These see dancers visit the city to work with local dancers. Upcoming classes will be held by Paul Knobloch, Craig Bary and Marko Panzic offering two day weekend workshops. 

“They are professional artists who the dancers would ordinarily have to travel to dance with...it’s unique to Newcastle,” Coughlan said.  

Catapult also runs Flipside which sees young people from Hunter Valley schools working intensively with visiting established dancers.

For more information about Catapult visit: cadimccarthy.com.au/catapult