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Canberra Today 14°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Bangarra chief receives prestigious award

1. STEPHEN PAGE-2013-PHOTO-GREG-BARRETT

BANGARRA Artistic Director, Stephen Page has been honoured with the prestigious 2016 J.C.Williamson Award by Live Performance Australia.

The J.C.Williamson Award is given only to individuals who have made a truly outstanding contribution to the enrichment of the Australian live entertainment and performing arts culture, and was announced today, by Andrew Kay AM, President of Live Performance Australia, on the stage of the Sydney Opera House where Bangarra are currently performing their new triple bill “OUR Land People Stories” which includes Page’s twenty third work for the company, “Nyapanyapa”.

In announcing the award ahead of the Helpmann Awards which will be held at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on Monday, 25th July, Mr Kay said “The JC Williamson Award is bestowed only on the greatest of the greats of our Live Performance Industry. Stephen Page’s contribution to Australian culture over the last 25 years has been nothing short of extraordinary. His body of work seamlessly crosses genres”.

“He continues to reinvent indigenous storytelling across those genres. He has directed and/or choreographed dance, opera and theatre as well as major events such as the indigenous sections of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies”.

“In Stephen Page’s 25th year at the helm of this great company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, there is no better time to recognise his exceptional contribution to Australia and Australian culture through this award”.

Page was appointed Artistic Director of Bangarra in 1991 at age 25. He has developed a signature body of works that have redefined contemporary dance in Australia and his creative credits span not only dance, but theatre, opera and film. Off stage, he has mentored and created opportunities for countless aboriginal and Torres Strait artists and youth, and has been a champion of social justice for Indigenous people.

“I’ve been fortunate to have worked with so many inspiring communities, artists and creatives during my 25 year tenure as Artistic Director of Bangarra”. Page said of the honour. “It is a truly unique Australian Company and I am so proud of everything we have achieved. The stories we share are truly distinctive and I feel privileged to play a role in the vital caretaking of these stories, through the intimate weaving of culture and contemporary dance”.

Bangarra will be presenting “OUR Land People Stories” in the Canberra Theatre Centre from 28th to 30th July.

By Bill Stephens

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