Bangarra is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organization and one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies, widely acclaimed around the world for its powerful dancing, distinctive theatrical voice, and utterly unique soundscapes, musi
Led by Artistic Director Stephen Page, Bangarra’s work is forged from over 65,000 years of culture, embodied by contemporary movement. Each Bangarra dancer has a proud Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background, and each piece in the company’s repertoire draws on stories gathered from respected community elders. The company’s inherent connection to the land and people make it unique and enjoyed by audiences from remote Australian regional centers to major cities in North America and Europe. The company will make its Chicago debut at the Harris.
Spirit is a powerful collection of dance stories by Artistic Director Stephen Page, drawn from the company’s 30-year history. Set to a beautiful and haunting score composed by David Page and Steve Francis, Spirit invites audiences to connect with stories and songlines drawn from all over Australia, in a celebration of First Nations Peoples’ unbroken connection to the land. In a series of shifting incarnations, the work has been performed to audience and critical acclaim in Tokyo, Copenhagen, Bonn, New York, Vietnam, Mongolia, and China. Spirit is a true celebration of Australia’s rich culture and history, fused with outstanding dance technique.
The beautifully textured paintings of Yirrkala artist Nyapanyapa Yunupingu are brought to life in Nyapanyapa by Artistic Director Stephen Page. First premiering in 2016 as part of the triple-bill program OUR land people stories, Nyapanyapa illuminates and celebrates the North East Arnhem Land artist’s incredible creative gifts and brings her energy and joyful spirit to new audiences. Featuring Bangarra’s distinctive dance language, immersivesoundscapes, and exquisite design, Nyapanyapa is inspired by the culture and historyembedded in the land, and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ connection toCountry.
