Chimene Steele-Prior

Originally from Darkinjung Country, Chimene is a Naarm (Melbourne) based performer, teacher and choreographer. She studied at the New Zealand School of Dance (Diploma of Dance Performance) and at WAAPA as a member of LINK Dance Company (Bachelor of Performing Arts - DANCE). Her movement practice is concerned with the expressivity, nuance and capacity of the human body to hold, endure and transform.

Chimene has worked as a performer with an array of independent artists and companies. Most recently, Chimene performed in Project B, with M Collective in The Darling by Time Harbour and Tanz Der Sehnsucht by Lucas Jervies. Chimene worked on the Australian Premiere of Future Cargo by Requardt and Rosenberg (UK), and performed in Cabaret of Calm, by Helen Duncan Projects. Chimene joined Australasian Dance Collective in 2023 for Lucie in the Sky, by Amy Hollingsworth and in 2022, Chimene performed in Project Animo’s inaugural season in works by Alice Topp, Cass Mortimer-Eipper, Izzac Thomas and in solo work In Real Life by Kristina Chan. Chimene worked extensively with Opera Australia between 2011-2021, touring throughout Australia and China. Chimene has worked with artists including Sheridan Lang, Omer Backley-Astrachan, Lewis Major, Shian Law, Melissa Jones, and Luke George/Bec Reid (Stompin). Other highlights include A String Section by Reckless Sleepers (UK) in collaboration with Nat Cursio Co., Multiply by Stephanie Lake, Twenty Forty-Six by Lauren Langlois and Dancers with Dirty Feet, an Eleo Pomare Retrospective, Directed by Jennifer Barry Knox.

Chimene’s choreographic work has been presented at the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Lawler Theatre, Dancehouse, Melbourne Fringe Festival Hub and the Winter in Banyule Festival. Her solo work IN FORMATION II was nominated for a Green Room Award for Concept and Realisation in 2015. Previous choreographic explorations include Kristy’s World, In Formation, A Busy Lonely Mind, Filling Up Empty, Archway and Among Blue Poles. In recent years, Chimene has been exploring larger scale choreographies on students at VCA, Transit Dance, NICA, and Albert Park College. In May 2024, Chimene presented ‘The Presence of the Past’ with M Collective at Dancehouse.

Chimene is a Certified Counter Technique Teacher and is passionate about facilitating dancers’ connection to joy and trust in their own bodies, and creating respectful, inspiring and playful dance environments.