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

Aboriginal Australian Aboriginal Australians are the various Indigenous peoples of the Australian mainland and many of its islands, such as Tasmania, Fraser Island, Hinchinbrook Island, the Tiwi Islands, and Groote Eylandt, but excluding the Torres Strait Isl ...

, located in the Sydney suburb of Redfern. It was founded in 1979 by Christine Donnelly, who remains executive director . 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 . The idea of the theatre was based in political struggles, in particular the land rights activism of the 1970s. 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 Bangarra Dance Theatre is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company focused on contemporary dance. It was founded by African American dancer and choreographer Carole Y. Johnson, Gumbaynggirr man Rob Bryant, and South African-born C ...

). It was originally housed in the

National Black Theatre The National Black Theatre is a non-profit cultural and educational corporation, and community-based theatre company located on 5th Avenue in Harlem, New York. History The National Black Theatre (NBT) is a non-profit cultural and educational ...

building, and both organisations used theatre as a form of political action. Donnelly states that her objective in establishing the performing arts and cultural centre was "to bring dance to Aboriginal youth and children by furthering the cultural, social and educational development of Aboriginal people", especially the underprivileged people of Redfern. She is particularly proud of the establishment of the National Aboriginal Dance Council Australia (NADCA) in 1995. In this ADTR was supported by Ausdance National. NADCA was still in existence in 2007, when it was in the process of developing a document on "Cultural Protocols on Aboriginal Dance". ADTR later moved to 82–88 Renwick Street.

Programs

ADTR used to offer accredited courses in Aboriginal dance and

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...

, as well as an outreach program in dance for young people from Sydney, regional

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

and beyond. Donnelly has encouraged people to dance in their own styles, whether traditional, contemporary dance, or a fusion of the two. Today, the organisation's work is focused on Aboriginal health and well-being through culture, dance, sports and recreational programs. its programs include programs for children and young people, including cultural awareness, sports, and dance programs that cover many styles of dance (including traditional, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop); women's programs (including health, social justice and leadership); and cultural programs, which include dance awareness,

canoe A canoe is a lightweight narrow water vessel, typically pointed at both ends and open on top, propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of travel and using a single-bladed paddle. In British English, the ter ...

-making, and a "men's business" group. ADTR is a registered

charitable institution A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definition of a ch ...

Christine Donnelly

Christine Donnelly, née Onus, is granddaughter of activist and showman

Bill Onus William Townsend Onus Jnr (15 November 1906 – 10 January 1968) was an Aboriginal Australian political activist, designer, and showman, also known for his boomerang-throwing skills. He was father of artist Lin Onus. Early life and educati ...

, a

Wiradjuri The Wiradjuri people (; ) are a group of Aboriginal Australian people from central New South Wales, united by common descent through kinship and shared traditions. They survived as skilled hunter-fisher-gatherers, in family groups or clans, a ...

Yorta Yorta The Yorta Yorta, also known as Jotijota, are an Aboriginal Australian people who have traditionally inhabited the area surrounding the junction of the Goulburn and Murray Rivers in present-day north-eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales ...

man. She is the daughter of his daughter Christine. Her other grandfather is of the Darkinjung people of the

Hawkesbury River The Hawkesbury River, or Hawkesbury-Nepean River, is a river located northwest of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The Hawkesbury River and its associated main tributary, the Nepean River, almost encircle the metropolitan region of Sydney. ...

, connected to Sydney Eora clans. Donnelly's daughter Aiyisha is also involved in the performing arts, as well as

visual art The visual arts are art forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture. Many artistic disciplines such as performing arts, conceptual art, and textile arts ...

Recognition

A photographic portrait of Donnelly taken by renowned Aboriginal photographer Mervyn Bishop is included in the Sydney Elders exhibition at the

Australian Museum The Australian Museum is a heritage-listed museum at 1 William Street, Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia. It is the oldest museum in Australia,Design 5, 2016, p.1 and the fifth oldest natural history museum in the ...

. The exhibition was mounted in 2012, and represents a selection of Elders who have "contributed to the important role of culture, education, health, community or social justice".

References

External links

*
Aboriginal Dance Theatre, Renwick Street Redfern, 1989
at the City of Sydney Archives & History Resources {{authority control Dance education in Australia Education in New South Wales Indigenous Australian education Australian vocational education and training providers Organisations serving Indigenous Australians 1979 establishments in Australia Redfern, New South Wales