For 30 years, Bangarra has been given the wonderful privilege of breathing and celebrating the spirit of 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. With this program we reflect on this privilege, and remind ourselves that what we have created with this company, is one of a kind in the world.

In turning 30, of course we’ve been looking back, and in doing so we reflect on the stories that we’ve told and the growth of the company over three decades. Even in the last five years alone we’ve seen so much growth, success and stability. The relationship that we have built — as joint leaders of this company — is a professional clan that we both feel so privileged to be a part of. The wider company is a driven clan that works in reconciliation with people who believe in our mission of creating inspiring experiences that change society. There is a spirit there. We can’t see it, we can’t identify it, but we can feel it. This company can capture you into its spirit. It’s magnetic.

You can see this spirit in the group photo in the middle of this program — a gathering of the incredible individuals who pour their energy and passion into Bangarra both on and off the stage, day in, day out. We wanted to gather everyone together for this important milestone and honour their work.

So many people have made this 30th anniversary season possible — a season that includes an iconic work from our Associate Artistic Director Frances Rings; the presentation of a work by a non-Indigenous choreographer for the first time in Bangarra’s history; and a spiritual acknowledgement of the past and gift to our current dancers with to make fire.

We thank our magnificent dance ensemble, our entire team, all of the creatives who wove their magic throughout the program — in particular Frances Rings; it’s so great to have her back in our family — and of course our talented Board led by the wisdom of our Chair Michael McDaniel.

And we thank you for celebrating Bangarra: 30 years of sixty five thousand with us. We exist because of the communities who trust us to share their stories; because of the audiences who embrace the importance of their spirit; and because of the people, partners, governments and organisations who believe in the vision and passion of Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Enjoy!

Stephen Page
Artistic Director

Philippe Magid
Executive Director