Bangarra’s Rekindling 2014 Program

A unique opportunity to share stories, songs, dances, connect to Indigenous cultures and create new choreography with six former Bangarra dancers is now available to young people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage in the regions of New South Wales and Queensland.

Under the Artistic Direction of Stephen Page, Australia’s leading Indigenous performing arts company Bangarra Dance Theatre is committed to inspire and develop the next generation of Indigenous storytellers through the mentoring and training of creative young people.

In 2013, Bangarra Dance Theatre launched its youth program Rekindling, which uses dance theatre to reconnect Indigenous youth with their culture. Exploring ‘who you are’ and ‘where you come from’, young people will research and gather stories from within their communities with the help and guidance from local elders, and develop performance and creative skills to enable them to produce their own dance theatre works.

Last year, Rekindling brought together young people in the NSW communities of Moree, Wellington, Kempsey and Blacktown. The program was a success and Bangarra recently announced Rekindling is expanding in 2014 and includes multiple communities in both New South Wales and Queensland.

Applications for the 2014 program are now open. Bangarra invites young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders based in or nearby the New South Wales communities of Nowra, Wollongong, Lismore and Coffs Harbour, and the Queensland communities of Theodore, Beaudesert, Weipa and Cairns to apply to be part of this intensive youth program.

Twenty-four secondary students will be chosen from the audition in each area to be part of the Rekindling program during 2014. [See information for auditions listed below.]

Rekindling is led by one of Bangarra’s most acclaimed artists, Sidney Saltner, who transitioned into a new role of Youth Program Director after 15 years as a Bangarra performer. Working with Sidney and returning for the second year of this highly successful program are renowned workshop leaders and celebrated former Bangarra dancers: Patrick Thaiday and Chantal Kerr.

Three more former Bangarra dancers return to join the team in 2014: Gina Rings, continuing her esteemed career in the performing arts, events, writing and choreography; Kirk Page, a widely acclaimed artist who has performed in numerous films, dance and theatre productions (ABC’s Redfern Now, Griffin Theatre Company’s Silent Disco, Sydney Theatre Company’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream amongst others), and Barbra Drummond with her extensive experience as an Indigenous traditional and contemporary dancer and teacher.

Saltner says of the program, “The Rekindling team had a very successful and rewarding 2013, connecting with four very different communities in NSW. Through the sharing of stories, songs and dances we have made many valuable and special friends. In 2014, we are expanding our wings with two teams visiting more communities in NSW and moving into Queensland. We are looking forward to meeting and sharing time with our elders, youth and community members of the chosen communities in 2014, as well as maintaining strong connections with the 2013 Rekindling communities.”

Auditions for the 2014 NSW Selection are as follows:

Nowra, NSW

Nowra School of Arts, Berry Street, Nowra

Monday, February 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Wollongong, NSW

PCYC, 2 Exeter Ave, North Wollongong

Thursday, February 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Lismore, NSW

PCYC, Corner of Orion & Dawson Streets, Lismore  

Tuesday, February 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Coffs Harbour, NSW

PCYC, 74 Bray Street, Coffs Harbour

Thursday, February 27, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Program dates for the 2014 NSW Rekindling are as follows:

Nowra, NSW

1st gathering: March 26-28, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2nd gathering: April 29–May 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3rd gathering: May 12–16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Wollongong, NSW

1st gathering: April 2-4, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2nd gathering: May 6-9, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3rd gathering: May 19-23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Lismore, NSW

1st gathering: June 11-13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2nd gathering: July 15-18, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3rd gathering: July 28–August 1, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Coffs Harbour, NSW

1st gathering: June 16-18, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2nd gathering: July 21-24, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3rd gathering: August 4-8, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Auditions for the 2014 QLD Selection are as follows:

Theodore, QLD

RSL Hall, The Boulevard, Theodore  

Monday, February 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Beaudesert, QLD

The Centre, Beaudesert, 82 Brisbane Street, Beaudesert  

Thursday, February 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Weipa, QLD

Western Cape Collage Performing Arts Centre

Monday, February 24, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Cairns, QLD

Trinity Bay High School Theatre  

Wednesday, February 26, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Program dates for the 2014 QLD Rekindling are as follows:

Theodore, QLD

1st gathering: April 2 – 4, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2nd gathering: May 6 – 9, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3rd gathering: May 19 – 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Beaudesert, QLD

1st gathering: March 26 -28, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2nd gathering: April 29 – May 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3rd gathering: May 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Weipa, QLD

1st gathering: May 30 – June 1, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2nd gathering: June 16 – 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3rd gathering: July 29 – August 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Cairns, QLD

1st gathering: May 26 – 28, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2nd gathering: June 9 – 12, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3rd gathering: July 21 – 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information and to register for Rekindling, visit www.bangarra.com.au/rekindling.

Photo: Rekindling Youth Program 2013 leaders and Kempsey participants. Photo by Tiffany Parker.