University of Melbourne and ILBIJERRI Theatre Company partner to foster First Nations artistic excellence

A new chapter in a long history of collaboration between ILBIJERRI Theatre Company and the University of Melbourne has been formalised in a new partnership, which will amplify both organisations’ shared commitment to fostering First Nations artistic excellence.

Formed in 1991, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company is Australia’s longest-running First Peoples theatre company. ILBIJERRI creates, presents and tours powerful and engaging theatre by First Peoples artists that gives voice to First Nations communities and cultures.

Through the recently formalised partnership, the University of Melbourne commits to supporting ILBIJERRI to amplify and achieve its mission by giving the theatre company access to world-class performing arts expertise from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music and professional rehearsal and workshop spaces at its Southbank campus.

The partnership was celebrated at a special event during NAIDOC week, with a performance of Isobel Morphy-Walsh’s theatre piece Gunawarra Re-Creation, a powerful story of culture, memory and healing, presented by ILBIJERRI at Melbourne Theatre Company and directed by Andrea James, Artistic Director and CEO of ILBIJERRI.

The event also included a panel discussion on forging professional career pathways for First Nations performing arts practitioners featuring Andrea James, Tiriki Onus, theatre practitioners Emma Holgate and Kamarra Bell-Wykes, and theatre researcher Dr Sarah Woodland.

Artistic Director and CEO of ILBIJERRI, Andrea James said ILBIJERRI works on a reciprocal culture, based on familiar relationships.

“We proudly share our knowledge, expertise and resources with the University of Melbourne, strengthening a partnership that formalises longstanding creative and academic relationships. Together, we foster excellence in the performing arts sector that nurtures Blak storytelling.

“Whether taking formal or informal pathways, through incredible talent, sheer hard work and determination, First Peoples will always find a way to culturally express ourselves. With the wave of talented First Peoples artists and scholars benefiting from this remarkable partnership, I am excited for the continuation and advancement of innovative theatre practice and cultural expression to come.”

Tiriki Onus, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and Head of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development said ILBIJERRI Theatre Company occupies a special place in the hearts of our First Peoples’ community in Narrm and around this continent.

“Not only is ILBIJERRI our longest-running Indigenous theatre company, ILBIJERRI represents another link in an unbroken chain of performers and practitioners who have used theatre to amplify voice and contribute to the ongoing thrivance of First Peoples’ voices on these lands.

“It is an honour to formalise our partnership and contribute to the vital work of reminding us who we are and asking us to dream about who we might become together.”

“I didn't know theatre existed”: First Nations theatre practitioner Amy Sole reflects on how ILBIJERRI helped to shape them as an artist and arts leader

Award-winning theatre-maker Amy Sole (a Wiradjuri and Worimi person) grew up on Biripi and Worimi land in a small coastal town, leaving school at the age of 13.

“I never found institutions or systems very helpful or useful, especially as a young Blackfella in the early 2000s,” Amy says.

Eventually Amy undertook a university bridging program with the intention of studying medicine.

“I wanted to be a doctor because I saw how important health was in our communities. Medicine was not the path for me, but I realised that story was my version of healing.”

With encouragement from mentors, Amy moved to Melbourne to study Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and was supported during their studies by ILBIJERRI Theatre Company.

“It’s been a big journey, because I never knew what theatre was. I didn't know theatre existed. I don't think I could have done it without either of those institutions walking alongside me, holding me and supporting me in different ways.”

Amy says having the opportunity to learn the craft of theatre at the VCA while being centred in First Nations artistic practice through ILBIJERRI was a crucial part of their journey as an artist.

“It meant that my cultural grounding and sense of who I am was centred and held by my community and by my people while I was learning. It gave me bigger strength to interrogate.

“The fact that I dropped out of school when I was 13, and now I'm possibly going to do my PhD at the University of Melbourne to support the practice of other mob — that's massive, and that speaks to good practices from both institutions.”

Now the Head of Artist Development at ILBIJERRI, as well as a Hutchinson Fellow at the VCA, Amy says the University of Melbourne stands to benefit from deepening its engagement with the oldest First Nations theatre company in Australia.

“I think that’s really huge — the University now gets to engage with the truth of Blak practice from a sovereign perspective. That shifts paradigms, and it creates an ecosystem and a community. There's a sharing of knowledges, and we get to come together to build something for the future generations.

“The next generation of Blak theatre is going to be big. There's a generation of artists who are learning and growing, and they're incredible.”

What advice does Amy have for the emerging generation of First Nations theatre-makers?

“I would say that storytelling is in your bones, it’s in your spirit. We've been telling stories since time immemorial, we're the oldest continuing storytellers.

“And I’d say that you're not alone — there are so many people there to support you on this journey. You're part of a lineage and we're all here with you. And I'm excited to see what you create.”