Why Bangarra Dance Theatre is the Cultural Experience to Try in 2026
Bangarra Dance Theatre brings 65,000 years of First Nations culture to life through contemporary dance, design and music.
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Bangarra Dance Theatre is getting its flowers.
In July, the leading First Nations performing arts company will be presented with the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale Danze 2026. The Golden Lion is presented for a lifetime achievement in dance and is a highly coveted honour that puts Bangarra's work firmly on the global stage. It's a major cultural moment not just for Bangarra as the first company and First Nations performers to receive the award, but for First Nations storytelling in general. Bangarra (which means "to make fire" in the Wiradjuri language) sparks important conversations and social change through its storytelling and cultural works, and from May, audiences back home will have the chance to see why the dance world is paying attention.
Performing Arts to Watch
Bangarra Dance Theatre draws on 65, 000 years of culture and storytelling. Through contemporary dance, the performers create works of theatre, music, poetry and design that share First Nations stories. Each dancer is professionally trained and has a proud Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.
This winter, Bangarra Dance Theatre is once again sharing its powerful visual poetry with the country. Under Artistic Director Frances Rings, Sheltering is an intergenerational performance of contemporary works. Each piece offers a profound journey into the intricate bonds between people and place.
Keeping Grounded is an exploration of our energetic connection to the earth and ancestral land, choreographed by Indjalandji-Dhidhanu and Alyewarre woman Glory Tuohy-Daniell. Brown Boys is a groundbreaking dance film by Gomeroi and Tongan man Daniel Mateo and Cass Mortimer Eipper that delves into the experiences of young Indigenous men, exploring identity, belonging, and cultural connection.
Sheoak, choreographed by Mirning woman Frances Rings and set to music by renowned composer David Page, explores themes of resilience, connection to Country, and cultural identity. Over the course of 90 minutes, the three works engage with vital First Nations social and cultural issues and showcase the enduring connections between people, land, and spirit.
Sheltering will begin its tour on Ngunnawal Country at the Canberra Theatre Centre in late May. This will then be followed by performances on Gadigal Country at the Sydney Opera House and on Wurundjeri Country at the Arts Centre Melbourne in June. Finally, from Thursday, July 9 until Saturday, July 18, Meanjin will host the final shows of Sheltering at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
Through its work and performances, Bangarra Dance Theatre aims to create inspiring experiences that promote awareness and understanding of First Nations peoples and cultures. By celebrating the world's oldest storytellers, audiences can immerse themselves in First Nations experiences and identity.
Earlier this year, Bangarra Dance Theatre joined forces with The Australian Ballet for Flora, a bold and powerful new dance collaboration. Bringing together 35 dancers from both companies, Flora marked the fourth time these two national powerhouses came together on stage. Opening to rave reviews, Flora took audiences on a journey through the evolution of Australian flora and traced the influence of historic and environmental events on the land and its people. It symbolised the resilience of both flora and First Nations people.
From celebrating First Nations culture to progressing conversations around reconciliation, Bangarra Dance Theatre will leave you feeling connected, creatively inspired and with a deep appreciation for the country's performing arts and artists.
Sheltering Tour Dates
May 23–27 — Canberra Theatre Centre, Ngunnawal Country
June 3–13 — Sydney Opera House, Gadigal Country
June 8–27 — Arts Centre Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country
July 9–18 — Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Meanjin
Purchase tickets to Sheltering.
