Houston Ballet premieres Alice Topp's work inspired by Australian bushfires
Alice Topp, former principal dancer and choreographer-in-residence at the Australian Ballet, has created her first commission for Houston Ballet. The piece draws on the Finnish concept of sisu, meaning stubbornly determined resilience. Inspiration became personal after bushfires ravaged her rural hometown, located 75 miles northwest of Melbourne, in January 2026. The work premieres as part of Houston Ballet's season.
Key facts
- Alice Topp is a former principal dancer and choreographer-in-residence at the Australian Ballet.
- This is Topp's first commission for Houston Ballet.
- The piece is based on the Finnish concept of sisu (stubbornly determined resilience).
- Bushfires struck Topp's rural hometown 75 miles northwest of Melbourne in January 2026.
- The work premieres as part of Houston Ballet's season.
Entities
Artists
- Alice Topp
Institutions
- Australian Ballet
- Houston Ballet
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia