Elysian Creative’s Rebecca Paulson
- Jamie Apps
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Rebecca Paulson’s mission is to redefine dancer treatment and creative workspaces through her trailblazing company, Elysian Creative.
It takes more than sequins and strobe lights to run a dance company in Sydney, just ask Rebecca Paulson, whose choreography of talent, ethics and sheer stamina has shaped Elysian Creative into one of the city’s most recognisable nightlife names.
What started as a passion project bearing her own name evolved into Elysian Creative, a company that’s become synonymous with empowerment, artistry, and a fierce commitment to dancer welfare. “For so long, the company was named after me, but as it grew, it needed a more distinctive branding,” Paulson said. The name ‘Elysian’, inspired by a Greek term meaning ‘divinely inspired’, stuck because it perfectly captured the ethos of a business built on passion and respect.
A Dancer’s Journey: From Injury to Industry Leader
Paulson’s path to founding Elysian Creative was anything but linear. A lifelong dancer, she faced career-halting injuries before pivoting to teaching and choreography. “I auditioned as a Pacha Sydney dancer back in 2014, and not long after, a close friend asked me to organise dancers for his event,” she recalled. That serendipitous moment sparked a business that now employs 36 performers, including models, event staff, and even a dancer who returns for gigs after having a baby.
Her background as a high school teacher, particularly in girls’ wellbeing, deeply influenced her approach. “I’ve seen many companies mistreat dancers, taking their innocence and inexperience for granted,” Paulson told Neighbourhood Media. “I wanted to create a space where dancers felt safe and valued as individuals first.”
Raising the Bar: Fair Pay, Safe Spaces, and World-Class Artistry
In an industry where dancers are often the first budget cut, Elysian Creative stands out by prioritising fair pay and safe environments. “This industry is cutthroat, and dancers are extremely influenced by those around them,” Paulson noted. She emphasised educating performers on their worth: “Some have trained for 18-25 years and spent thousands to reach their level—they shouldn’t undervalue themselves.”
She insisted that care for her dancers comes before anything else, even when it’s not easy. “I care for my employees first and foremost over everything, sometimes to my detriment, some of my team would say.” Her priority is creating “a space where dancers felt safe and valued as individuals,” aiming to foster growth, trust, and leadership.
Family, Festivals and the Future
What sets Elysian Creative apart isn’t just flashy choreography or elaborate costumes. “It’s the environment and space we create,” Paulson said. “I am leading the industry to fight for fair and safe pay and working environments.” She described Elysian as “more than friends… we are like a big family,” adding that dancers have stuck together through marriages, babies, and heartbreaks.
Among her proudest moments is the Pride Round halftime show for the Sydney Swans at the SCG. “A team of 12 drag queens and 7 dancers created a hype squad that performed in front of 80,000 people,” she recalled. But for Paulson, pride also comes from consistency. “Every week, I get to support the Australian arts industry. I have to give a special mention to my 11-year business relationship with Merivale for supporting us in that as well. That is an achievement I will never take for granted.”
As for what’s next, her eyes are on new stages, both literal and metaphorical. “I would love to produce a cabaret show here in Sydney or assemble a group of dancers for a music clip.” Long-term dreams include major music festivals like Spilt Milk or international concert tours, and even a return to choreographing for sports teams. “I would really love to step back into the cheerleading space.”
Still, full-time commitment to Elysian remains a consideration. “The next step is to look at if I’m ready to take the leap and jump on Elysian full time… but I’m not going to give all my secrets away,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve spent years perfecting the recipe for the perfect cake.”
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