Bangarra Dance Theatre will tour nationally in 2026 with Sheltering, a triple bill that threads together three powerful stories: Keeping Grounded, Brown Boys and Sheoak. Each explores intergenerational storytelling, connection to Country and the enduring strength of First Nations culture.
Rooted in Indigenous knowledge and guided by the theme of shelter as both protection and transformation, Sheltering honours Bangarra’s past while looking toward its creative future.
Keeping Grounded, choreographed by Indjalandji-Dhidhanu and Alyewarre woman Glory Tuohy-Daniell, delves into our energetic connection to earth and ancestral land. Originally created for Dance Clan 2023, it has been reimagined for a new stage, reflecting on how we remain culturally and physically grounded in a world shaped by technological change.
Brown Boys, directed by Daniel Mateo and Cass Mortimer Eipper, is a visually poetic film that blends dance and narrative to explore the experiences of young Indigenous men. Drawing inspiration from Mateo’s own poetry, the work traces his journey as a Gamilaroi and Tongan man, weaving themes of identity, belonging and cultural connection through cinematic expression.
The program concludes with Sheoak, choreographed by Mirning woman and Bangarra artistic director and co-CEO Frances Rings, with music by the late David Page. First presented in 2015 as part of Lore, the work honours the sheoak tree, a symbol of resilience and continuity in Indigenous Australian culture. It reflects Bangarra’s deep connection between people, land and spirit.
“Sheltering draws deeply from First Nations perspectives, exploring the intricate bonds between people and place through the symbolic sheltering branches of a tree,” says Rings. “Intergenerational storytelling is an important part of my artistic vision for Bangarra. In Sheltering, we see how choreographers from different eras express the company’s 36-year legacy, embracing new forms and technologies to share stories across generations.”
Touring from May to July 2026, Sheltering will visit Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, offering audiences a journey that bridges tradition and innovation, memory and emergence.
Tickets go on sale to the general public from 17 November 2025, with exclusive presale access for Community and Bangarra subscribers. More information and ticket links can be found at bangarra.com.au