Bangarra’s 2021 Russell Page Graduate Program

Bangarra Dance Theatre is pleased to announce that the Russell Page Graduate Program has been enhanced for 2021, welcoming two young Dancers into the Company and introducing a Youth Programs Trainee role to support the important work of the Company’s Youth Programs Team.

 

The 2021 Russell Page Graduates are Daniel Mateo, Maddison Paluch, and Mitchell J Nalingu Harrison-Currie.

 

The Russell Page Graduate Program provides the opportunity for First Nations early career artists to develop as professional Dancers and facilitators through training, mentoring, performance and touring seasons – one of many ways that Bangarra continues its commitment to supporting and fostering the talent of the next generation of Dancers.

 

Daniel and Maddison will make their debut as Dancers performing with the company in Spirit: a retrospective 2021 at Sydney Festival this month. As part of the Russell Page Graduate Program, they will complete a one-year intensive immersion experiencing the rigour and training of what is expected in the role as a professional dance artist, guided in a nurturing environment.

 

Daniel Mateo is a descendant of the Gamilaroi people of North East New South Wales as well as the Tongan people of the Pacifika region, who shared that the program is “an opportunity to make a valuable contribution as an artist and a storyteller”.

 

Wiradjuri woman and 2020 Russell Page Professional Development Scholar Maddison Paluch said the opportunity is “a chance to grow as an artist and contribute to the Company’s important work”.

 

For the first time in 2021, the Russell Page Graduate Program also includes a newly introduced Youth Programs Trainee role. Mitchell J Nalingu Harrison-Currie is a Mununjali, Bundjalung and Gunggari man from west of the Gold Coast, Beaudesert and Fingal Head, and joins the Company to support Bangarra’s Youth Program Team in delivering activities online and across the country.

 

For further information visit: https://www.bangarra.com.au/

 

Image courtesy of Bangarra