DRILL Announces New Artistic Director, Tara Robertson

The Board of DRILL is delighted to announce the appointment of Tara Robertson as the new Artistic Director of DRILL. Tara is a passionate collaborator, arts maker, dance teacher and Mingunberri woman who joined DRILL after performing in the Sydney Festival season of Plant a Promise, a multidisciplinary work created by Henrietta Baird.

The Board notes the outstanding calibre of applicants for the role from around Australia. Amongst this competitive field, Tara’s vision for DRILL and her experience with and engagement of young people stood out.

Tara’s choreographic and performing experience is exceptional, having spent eight years with Bangarra Dance Theatre, as well as working with companies such as Legs on the Wall, Guts Dance and the Queensland Ballet.

She has held a number of teaching roles, including at NAISDA, Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year and Brent Street, as well as a variety of roles in a number of schools. Tara has also worked with young people at juvenile justice centres in NSW with Phunktional, and mentored artists through the Browns Mart Crab Claw Artist’s Residency in Darwin.

Tara is enthusiastic about starting working with the young people of DRILL. “I am passionate and I find joy to be able to engage with the next generation of artists, and pass on knowledge I have while nurturing their talent and their creativity. My practice and passion as an art maker and leader, is to work within and to make highly collaborative spaces, in which all artists can thrive, take risks and cultivate creativity in an inclusive experience.

Stepping into this position I endeavour to provide the scaffolding to facilitate youth-led spaces, creating pathways and opportunities for these next generation of artists.”

Outgoing Artistic Director Bec Dundas and Tara will work together over their handover period, after which Tara will hit the ground running in workshops with the young members of DRILL’s Senior and Junior companies.

For more information on what DRILL is up to, visit https://drillperformance.com/

DRILL’s new AD Tara Robertson, Photo by Cathryn Williams