Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern

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Not to be confused with Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre.

Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern
Formation1979; 45 years ago (1979)
FounderChristine Donnelly
PurposeIndigenous Australian cultural organisation
Websiteaboriginaldancetheatreredfern.com

The Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern (ADTR) is an Australian non-profit organisation providing cultural and dance programs for

Aboriginal Australian, located in the Sydney suburb of Redfern. It was founded in 1979 by Christine Donnelly, who remains executive director as of November 2022
.

ADTR instigated the founding of the

National Aboriginal Dance Council Australia
(NADCA) in 1995.

History

The Aboriginal Dance Theatre was founded in 1979 by Christine Donnelly, who remains at the helm as director as of 2022[update].[1]

The idea of the theatre was based in political struggles, in particular the land rights activism of the 1970s.[2] Donnelly had been a participant in the Six Weeks Performing Arts Training Programme held in Redfern (which later led to the development of NAISDA Dance College, and, indirectly, Bangarra Dance Theatre).[3] It was originally housed in the National Black Theatre building,[4][5] and both organisations used theatre as a form of political action.[2]

Donnelly states that her objective in establishing the

Ausdance National.[6] NADCA was still in existence in 2007, when it was in the process of developing a document on "Cultural Protocols on Aboriginal Dance".[7]

ADTR later moved to 82–88 Renwick Street.[4][5]

Programs

ADTR used to offer accredited courses in Aboriginal dance and theatre, as well as an outreach program in dance for young people from Sydney, regional New South Wales and beyond.[5][8][9] Donnelly has encouraged people to dance in their own styles, whether traditional, contemporary dance, or a fusion of the two.[2]

Today, the organisation's work is focused on Aboriginal health and well-being through culture, dance, sports and recreational programs.

hip-hop); women's programs (including health, social justice and leadership); and cultural programs, which include dance awareness, canoe-making, and a "men's business" group.[10]

ADTR is a registered

charitable institution.[11]

Christine Donnelly

Christine Donnelly, née Onus, is granddaughter of activist and showman Bill Onus,[12] a Wiradjuri / Yorta Yorta man.[13] She is the daughter of his daughter Christine.[12] Her other grandfather is of the Darkinjung people of the Hawkesbury River, connected to Sydney Eora clans.[2]

Donnelly's daughter Aiyisha is also involved in the

visual art.[12]

Recognition

A photographic portrait of Donnelly taken by renowned Aboriginal photographer

Elders who have "contributed to the important role of culture, education, health, community or social justice".[14]

References

  1. ^ a b "History". Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  2. ^
    The Australian Museum
    . Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  3. Libraries Australia
    . Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Redfern Oral History: Dance". Redfern Oral History. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  5. ^
    Barani
    . 7 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  6. ^ Meiners, Jeff (2 September 2019). "How we're losing the history of Australian dance". ArtsHub Australia. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  7. ISBN 978-1-920784-37-9. First published 2002, edited and revised 2007. (also here
    )
  8. ^ Archibald, Terese; Assessment Centre for Vocational Education (N.S.W.) (1996), Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern (ADTR): evaluation of training and recognition in a community agency (catalogue entry), Assessment Centre for Vocational Education – via National Library of Australia
  9. ^ "Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern: Recruitment 2013". Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern. 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Programs". Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Historical details for ABN 48 207 464 746". ABN Lookup. November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  12. ^ a b c Kleinert, Sylvia (2011). "Bill Onus". Design & Art Australia Online. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  13. ^ Howie-Willis, Ian (2000). "Onus, William Townsend (Bill) (1906-1968)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 16 August 2021. This article was published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 15, (Melbourne University Press), 2000
  14. ^ McBride, Laura (2 June 2021). "Sydney Elders exhibition". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 16 November 2022.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aboriginal_Dance_Theatre_Redfern&oldid=1227171227"