Sheltering at Arts Centre Melbourne

Beneath the constellation of its creative and cultural legacy, Australia’s leading Indigenous performing arts company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, will present a program of three powerful works:'Keeping Grounded', Brown Boys, andSheoak, which honour Bangarra’s past while looking to the future. Sheltering will tour nationally from May to July 2026.

An intergenerational thread connects this bold triple bill, drawing deeply from First Nations perspectives, and offering a profound journey into the intricate bonds between people and place. Rooted in Indigenous knowledge, the concept of shelter is reimagined as a sacred, transformative space: a haven of protection, connection, and the sharing of stories across generations.

Keeping Grounded, choreographed by Indjalandji-Dhidhanu and Alyewarre woman Glory Tuohy-Daniell, is a poignant exploration on our energetic connection to the earth and ancestral land. Born out of Dance Clan2023 and reimagined for a new stage, this piece explores the challenges of staying culturally and physically grounded in a world increasingly shaped by technological advancement.

Brown Boysis a groundbreaking film directed by Daniel Mateo and Cass Mortimer Eipper. Visually poetic and deeply personal, it delves into the experiences of young Indigenous men, exploring identity, belonging, and cultural connection. Inspired by Mateo’s own poetry, the film intimately portrays his journey as a Gamilaroi and Tongan man—blending dance, narrative, and cinematic artistry. This work was first presented in Dance Clan 2024.

Sheoak, choreographed by Mirning woman and Bangarra Dance Theatre artistic director and co-CEO, Frances Rings, with music by Munaldjali and Nunukul man and renowned composer David Page, is a deeply affecting work exploring themes of resilience, connection to country, and cultural identity. The work, which premiered in 2015 as part of the double-bill Lore under Munaldjali and Nunukul man Stephen Page’s artistic direction, draws inspiration from the sheoak tree—a powerful symbol in Indigenous Australian culture known for its strength, adaptability, and deep meaning.

Together, these three works engage with vital First Nations social and cultural issues, reminding us of the spirit at the heart of Indigenous worldviews and the enduring connections between people, land, and spirit.