Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern

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.

Not to be confused with Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre.

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

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.[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 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.[1] In this ADTR was supported by 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.[5] As of 2022 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-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 performing arts, as well as visual art.[12]

Recognition

A photographic portrait of Donnelly taken by renowned Aboriginal photographer Mervyn Bishop is included in the Sydney Elders exhibition at the Australian Museum.[2] 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".[14]

References
  1. "History". Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  2. McBride, Laura (12 July 2021). "Christine Donnelly". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  3. "NAISDA Dance College - Full record view". Libraries Australia. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  4. "Redfern Oral History: Dance". Redfern Oral History. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  5. "Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern". 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. Australia Council for the arts (2007). Performing arts: Protocols for producing Indigenous Australian performing arts (PDF) (2nd ed.). pp. 34–35. 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. 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.
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