Australian Indigenous Theatre Companies
Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre
Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre [Yir-raarh Yaarh-kin Noong-aarh] is Australia’s leading Aboriginal theatre experience. More than a theatre company, Yirra Yaakin is the response to the Aboriginal Community’s need for positive self-enhancement through artistic expression.
Established in 1993, Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre Aboriginal Corporation opened its doors with one successful funding application and three staff members. As the company grew, so did the commitment towards developing Aboriginal people in all aspects of theatre. A decade later, Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre is both a world-class theatre company and a leader in community development. (Photo Ningali Lawford)
http://www.yirrayaakin.asn.au/
Kooemba Jdarra
Contemporary Indigenous Theatre, resonating the uniqueness of the Indigenous Australian voice and culture. Based in Brisbane, Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts produces contemporary performances that present the stories of Indigenous Australians throughout Australia and Internationally.
The company was incorporated in 1993, the International Year of Indigenous People, and maintains a strong commitment to professionalism and excellence in the arts.
Kooemba Jdarra is a not-for-profit organisation that receives core funding through Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA), Australia Council and Arts Queensland. Kooemba Jadarra is proud to acknowledge the support of ENERGEX who, by way of an ongoing cash and in-kind sponsorship, recognise Kooemba Jdarra’s value to the community. Kooemba also receives ongoing support from the Indigenous community.
http://www.kooemba.com.au/
Ilbijrri
Ilbijirri is the longest running Indigenous Theatre organisation in Australia and the only one in Victoria. Formed by Indigenous Theatre practitioners and community members, Ilbijirr exists to provide a voice for Indigenous stories and support the professional development of Indigenous Theatre practioners through the creation of innovative Indigenous Theatre
http://www.ilbijerri.org.au/Export2.htm
Nindethana Theatre
In 1972, a group of Aboriginal people (who were involved in the Aboriginal Advancement League) created the Nindethana Theatre in Melbourne. The ensemble produced a version of The Cherry Pickers by Kevin Gilbert, recognised as the first Aboriginal play.
Relevant Articles
The Future in Black and White Aboriginality in Recent Australian Drama
By Katharine Brisbane, AM, Hon.D.Litt. Publisher of Currency Press.
http://www.fuel4arts.com/touring/tips/pdf/aia_theatre.pdf
posted by Indigenous Theatre @ 5:02 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I really like windmill baby.
I have a question though..
all of the indigenous plays i know have been performed by indigenous actors. an acting teacher of mine also said that indigenous plays could only be acted by indigenous actors.
however in america's next top model the girls (who were of various races) learnt and performed an indigenous traditional dance. i'm not too clear on this.
is it possible for non-indigenous actors to perform indigenous plays?
apologies before if i said anything mistaken.
thankyou :)
Niania
I think you have some big questions here. Firstly, with contemporary plays it is possible for non-Indigenous actors to perform Indigenous 'identified' roles. This happened with Wesley Enoch and Deb Mailman’s 'Seven Stages of Grieving' being recently staged in Japan with Japanese actors. Groundbreaking. Indigenous actors for reasons of authenticity will perform mostly Indigenous ‘identified’ roles in plays.
Secondly, there is a need for consideration of 'traditional' Indigenous cultural performance. Some are sacred, whilst others can be performed publicly. There are issues here of heritage rights, and cultural appropriateness. Often an Indigenous person should teach these dances to you. As with an artwork it would be respectful to acknowledge where the dance is from and what clan it belongs to. Find out more from the Australia Council for the Arts web site-'Protocols for producing Indigenous Australian performance' www.australiacouncil.gov.au.
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