Dana Waranara Digital 2023

Dana Waranara Digital brings together artists, producers and presenters who are interested in supporting First Nations choreographers to create, present and tour more productions. BlakDance’s goal with this project is to create the conditions where strong, reciprocal and equitable relationships can form between artists and presenters, leading to long-term pathways for new work.

Through Dana Waranara Digital, artists are supported to test and develop new ways of pitching or presenting their ideas and practice, and to build relationships with presenters. By trialling two new modes of engagement - the Critical Response Process (CRP) and Digital Pitch Prototypes, (more information on both below) - we hope to seed a stronger dialogue and network of champions and advocates for First Nations dance.

Click here to jump to more information on the Digital Pitch Prototypes program.

Click here to jump to more information CRP program.

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Digital Pitch Prototypes

This branch of the program aims to explore how new technologies can be used to better share dance works with potential partners, presenters or collaborators.

Artists are supported with the skills development, partnerships and resources needed to create a ‘digital pitch prototype’, testing the application of technologies to offer a digital experience of live work. Centred on either a work in development or existing work, this program seeks to support the artists’ market development goals and strengthening of their networks.

The projects selected to participate in the Digital Pitch Prototypes are:

  • Yarta Wandatha (Story Tells Of Land) by Tjarutja Dance Theatre Collective

  • LIYAN: The Calling by BlakLite

BlakDance is partnering with First Nations digital media consultant, Simon O’Toole of Reality Dreaming, to mentor artists and develop these digital prototypes.

YARTA WANDATHA (STORY TELLS OF LAND)

by Tjarutja Dance Theatre Collective

"Yarta Wandatha means story tells the land, and this is true. The land and the story come together, hand in hand. You can’t have the creek with out the story and you can’t have the story without the creek.” - Iteka Sanderson-Bromley

Focusing on their surrounding language groups, Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, Adnyamathanha, this production from Tjarutja Dance Theatre Collective explores connection to land through the elements and the celestial constellations explored by the Collective’s dancers.

This prototype project culminated in the creation of a virtual iteration of a live projection work, modelling the potential for multimedia works to be tested and imagined in a location virtually before being produced live. This opens up numerous potential opportunities for collaboration between artists, technologists and presenters to create immersive live and/or digital experiences. In this project, excerpts of Yarta Wandatha were created as a projection work and mapped onto a site at the Adelaide Festival Centre.

“Our collective are excited about this unique opportunity to enhance our vision and storytelling practices particularly within the digital media medium.” Gina Rings, Artistic Director

“The Yarta Wandatha stories of country will be designed as an immersive experience for the public, with this virtual prototyping project. Bringing the design process into a virtual space allows us to visualise and experience the design, and quickly adapt it to fit any physical location.” Simon O’Toole

Below you can view the project content in full. The virtual version of this prototype is available to view here.

  • Tjarutja Dance Theatre Collective was first formed in 2019 out of necessity and a collective willingness and drive to maintain First Nations arts practice here in South Australia building upon a national & international identity. he collective brought together existing artists from across South Australia eager to form an Indigenous contemporary project based company that works in collaborations through multidisciplinary arts.

    Creative Team:

    Gina Rings (Kokatha, Mirning) – Artistic Director

    Caleena Sansbury (Kaurna, Ngarrindgeri, Narrungga) Rehearsal Director / Choreographer & Dancer

    Dancers: Melanie Koolmatrie, Janelle Egan, Rikki Wilson, Gemma Trueman, Kenneth Johnson

    Image: Colleen Strangways, photo of Rikki Wilson Milera and Iteka Sanderson-Bromley.

LIYAN: The Calling

by BlakLite

Through dance and motion capture technology LIYAN: The Calling is a virtual exploration of the interconnection between Spirit, Land and Intuition. An embodied investigation into the concept of Bookarrakarra: The Beginning of Time.

“We’re thrilled to work with cutting-edge technology to reimagine LIYAN. Digital dance, like dance itself, is experimental, technical and teaming with ideas and possibilities. So, the two coming together creates a unique experience for the artistic process, the making and how it’s experienced by an audience.

Through this process, we’re traversing possibility, encompassing and evolving our understanding of Liyan, how we know it, feel and breathe it. Dana Waranara opens a pathway for how our work can be experienced across time and space. This has been a fabulous project and we are so grateful for the opportunity to explore LIYAN in this way.” BlakLite - Sermsah Bin Saad and Jade Blair

“This project is a virtual pitch exploring the lifecycle of the spirit, LIYAN: The Calling will be reimagined virtually with 3D graphics and motion capture technology to bridge the gap between live and virtual attendance for audiences.” Simon O’Toole

Watch the 6min prototype video:

  • BlakLite is a collaboration between Sermsah Bin Saad (Nyikina) and Jade Blair (Ngāpuhi).

    Sermsah is a proud Nyikina man from the Kimberley. Synonymous with dance, theatre, television, film, and festivals, Sermsah is also a Radio presenter and Producer. Jade is a Naarm-based creative, independent artist, choreographer and dancemaker.

    Creative team:

    • Sermsah Bin Saad (Nyikina) - Artist, Performer, concept and creation

    • Jade Blair (Ngarehauata / Ngāpuhi) - Director & Producer

    • Traditional Custodian, Elder: Prof. Anne Poelina (Nyikna/Mangala) – Elder, Cultural Consultant.

    • Mark Coles Smith, AKA Kalaji Nyikna/Mangala (Bad Boy Bilby Productions) - Composer/Sound Design

    • Wawilli Sound Solutions - Audio sound recording engineering

    Image by Nigel Gaunt - Red Dirt Photography.

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Critical Response Process

This branch of the program uses the Critical Response Process (CRP) as a format to enable the cultivation of valuable feedback for works in development or existing works being revisited.

The Critical Response Process (CRP), developed by US choreographer, performer and teacher Liz Lerman is “a method for giving and getting feedback on work in progress, designed to leave the maker eager and motivated to get back to work… It gives makers a way to rehearse the connections they seek when art meets its audience or a product meets its purpose.” 

BlakDance is partnering with Joyce Rosario, certified CRP Facilitator and Independent Curator, to support artists through a CRP session on their project and provide skills development to enable their ongoing use of this feedback mechanism as a valuable tool.

This program is taking place between March and July 2023.

The selected artists for the March to May program are: Jacob Boehme, Rosealee Pearson, Lilla Berry (Of Desert and Sea), Keia McGrady and Amy Flannery (Lost All Sorts).

The extended program for June and July 2023, features works-in-development from: NT Dance Company / Gary Lang, Kirk Page & Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal, and Olivia Adams.

Scroll down for more info on all works-in-development listed.

NT Dance Company / Gary Lang: The Other Side of Me

CRP Session: Wed 21 June, 10:30am-12pm AEST

The Other Side of Me translates into dance the true-life story of a young Aboriginal man, who was born in the 1960s in the Northern Territory, adopted by a white English family and raised in a remote hamlet in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Based on a collection of about 30 letters and poems the production communicates a story of personal trauma and poses questions about relationships between country of origin, identity, adoption, the criminal justice system and psychological health.

A moving and powerful dance duet, the work is an international, cross-cultural collaboration between Northumbria University, UK and NT Dance Company, Australia.

  • Gary Lang is a Senior Larrakia man that proudly identifies as LGBTQ and is the Artistic Director of Gary Lang Northern Territory Dance Company. Lang trained at the National Aboriginal and Islander Dance School and has toured nationally & internationally with some of Australia's premier dance companies including Bangarra.

    Lang founded NT Dance Company and has been choreographing full-length works since 2008. Key collaborators to date include West Australian Ballet, Deborah Cheetham AO, Miku Performing Arts, NAISDA Dance College, Darwin Symphony Orchestra and Northumbria University.

    https://www.ntdance.org/

    Image credit: Paz Tassone and Liz Rogers, featuring Jesse Norris

Jacob Boehme: Guuranda

CRP Session: Tue 16 May, 10:30am-12pm AEST

Guuranda, a Narangga Opera, is a large-scale contemporary theatre work conceived by Narangga / Kaurna theatre-maker Jacob Boehme, in collaboration with Narangga Elders, community and a company of both professional First Nations and non-indigenous creatives.

Weaving together multiple Narangga Dreaming stories to present the creation story of South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, the production is epic in content and form.

The story is told through Narangga language and song, large scale puppetry and animatronics, dance, music and animation, and provides audiences with a true understanding of the beauty of Narangga Culture, its people and landscape

  • Jacob Boehme is a critically acclaimed theatre maker and choreographer, from the Narangga and Kaurna Nations, creating work for stage, screen, large-scale public events and festivals. 

    More info: https://www.jacobboehme.com.au/about

Kirk Page and Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal: SMOKE

CRP Session: Wed 26 July, 10:30-12pm AEST

SMOKE is a collaborative and intercultural dance theatre work co-directed by Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal and Kirk Page. Exploring actual smoke in health, ecology, ceremony and ancestral connections Jade and Kirk have gathered research in Indonesia (Java, Bali, Kalimantan) and Australia (NSW, QLD, VIC, WA). In particular learning traditional ecological knowledge with the Dayak community in Palangkaraya and the Wodi Wodi community in Yuin Country, NSW.

SMOKE is inspired by fire and the ephemeral nature of the mundane and sacred intensities of spirit. Connecting with internal and external landscapes of body and home to discover fantastical ways of healing impacts of trauma. If culture is staying alive, what are we living for?

  • Kirk Page is a proud Munanjali man from South East QLD with ancestral lineage connecting to Yugembeh and the Bundjalung nation, Badu Island – Zenadth Kes with Polish and German heritage from his matriarchal descendants. Kirk is an interdisciplinary performer extending his practice across the creative sector over the last two decades.

    Born in Darkinjung country NSW, Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal is a Javanese Australian dancer, choreographer, director and facilitator. Her work has been made and shared nationally and internationally.

    SMOKE has been supported by Create NSW.

    Image credit: Helen Tyas Tunggal and Anna Leibzeit

Rosealee Pearson: Song Spirals

CRP Session: Wed 12 April, 10:30am-12pm AEST

Based on the award-winning book of the same name, Song Spirals is a rare theatrical opportunity for outsiders to experience Aboriginal women’s role in crying the songlines in an authentic and direct form.

Incorporating contemporary and traditional dance, keening, contemporary music, and audio-visual projection, audiences will be transported to North East Arnhem Land to experience a 5-part dance piece that follows the stories and songs shared in the book Song Spirals.

  • Rosealee Pearson is a Yolŋu woman from Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land. A graduate of NAISDA Dance College Rosealee has worked across many disciplines as a dancer, actor, tour manager, event coordinator, stage manager, choreographer and cultural consultant, producer, and festival coordinator. She has toured both nationally and internationally. 

Of Desert and Sea (Lilla berry): 13 Sisters

CRP Session: Wed 19 April, 10:30am-12pm AEST

13 Sisters is a contemporary revisioning of a Yankunytjatjara Tjukurpa (dreaming story). As a mysterious figure appears on the horizon, the sisters must figure out if this stranger is dangerous, or can be trusted.

The work is Of Desert and Sea's second production, and brings together contemporary dance, story, and immersive animation to place audiences directly into the world of the 13 Sisters.

  • Lilla is a Yankunytjatjara woman, multi-disciplinary artist, arts worker and producer. Lilla’s practice as an artist is multi-disciplinary, as she explores mediums including dance, weaving, painting, video and photography. Her artworks are representations of her own lived experiences, and those of her community.

    Of Desert and Sea is an Aboriginal cultural contemporary dance company, currently made up of 5 young women, based in Adelaide. Our dancers come from a variety of language groups and include Kaurna, Narungga, Ngarrindjeri, Adnyamathanha and Yankunytjatjara. Of Desert & Sea was formed after the dancers started working together to continue developing their practice, and are passionate about dance and how it can be used to tell stories.

Image credit: Jade Ellis Photography

Keia McGrady: Charcoal

CRP Session: Fri 21 April, 11:30am-1pm AEST

Charcoal is a new project from Githabul, Migunberri - Yugumbeh artist/choreographer Keia McGrady, examining the essence and impacts of fire through the material. Using charcoal from wood collected on Migunberri country, this project considers the layers of personal and cultural significance contained within the material and the process that forms it.

Located at the intersection of Keia’s visual art and dance practices, Charcoal is a collaboration with Githabul, Gaangalu artist/dancer Amarina Toby, and Githabul, Migunberri - Yugumbeh artist/dancer Alinta McGrady. 

  • Keia McGrady is a proud Githabul, Migunberri-yugumbeh woman who grew up in Ipswich Queensland. After studying 3 years at the Aboriginal Centre of Performing Arts Majoring in Dance, she then continued her studies in Israel for 5 months in the Kibbutz Dance Journey Program. Keia has now relocated to Nipaluna. Keia has a passion in guiding the next generation through the arts and holding space for them to explore their passions.

    More info: on Charcoal: https://www.blakdance.org.au/blakdance-residency-program-keia-mcgrady

Lost All Sorts (Amy Flannery): FRAID

CRP Session: Fri 3 March, 10:30am-12:30pm AEST

FRAID is a contemporary Indigenous dance theatre work in development.

It explores connection to place shown through different groups within society, focusing on First Nations relationships juxtaposed with an economic value perspective, such as those in government power. In particular focusing on mining and fracking, and how the value of a place is dependent on your context and your perception of value.

  • Amy Flannery is currently a David Page Music Fellow at Bangarra Dance Theatre. From Wiradjuri country but based in Sydney, Amy studied dance and music simultaneously during high school and at NAISDA Dance College, graduating in 2018.

    Lost All Sorts Collective is a multi-disciplinary collective of Independent First Nations Artists from many different Nations. The collective was formed by five graduates of NAISDA Dance College to maintain values and virtues as artists and friends. We as a collective, will venture to continue to artistically express our contemporary Indigenous identities through different artistic disciplines, build upon a network of First Nation Independent Artists, and keep our connection to Country strong, in a modern world. We strive to tell our story, our history and our culture.

    More info: https://www.instagram.com/lostallsorts/?hl=en

Olivia Adams: Matriarchs

CRP Session (in-person): Thu 22 June, 3-5pm, Brisbane + online survey option

Matriarchs is an exploration of identity through the stories of the women who have come before; Mothers, Grandmothers, Great Grandmothers.

Matriarchs explores how their experiences as Indigenous women shaped them and therefore their descendants. Matriarchs picks up the journey of identity in a generation who no longer have to be ashamed of Aboriginality. A generation that must now unpick the lies and work that was done to distance them from their communities.

  • Olivia Adams is a proud Wulli Wulli woman from and based in Meanjin (Brisbane) working as a dancer, choreographer and producer. A graduate of both Queensland University of Technology and the Aboriginal Centre of Performing Arts, Olivia has worked with Digi Youth Arts, Polytoxic, Karul Projects and Bangarra Dance Theatre’s youth program Rekindling, as well as with BlakDance as an Associate Artist and Producer. She is collaborating on this work with visual artist, Arabella Walker (Wulli Wulli).

    Image credit: Jade Ellis Photography