Theatre Kimberley

This year, our highly valued partnership with the outstanding Theatre Kimberley resulted in our third collaboration together, and it certainly did not disappoint. On the back of 2019 Gilandarri, a circus show performed onsite in the Kimberley, this year saw eight students and three residential mentors travel to Broome to perform three shows of Te Kore – a world beyond - Worn Art Revamped.  

We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with visual artist Jacky Cheng and her husband Greg Nichols, in the lead up to the show.  Jacky and Greg travelled to the school over a period of four weeks to engage students and staff in Binarri.awarra Jurali nhingi (Let’s all learn from the past) creative workshops centred around creating and making costumes from recycled materials. Inspired by Jacky and Greg’s enthusiasm, encouragement and absolute belief in the potential of our mob, everyone was provided with the opportunity to explore new artforms and creation stories from their country, and use this knowledge to craft wearable artworks to be modelled in the exciting visual theatre performance that was to become Te Kore.  ‘The Performers’ as they came to be known – Hiki-Lee Kinley, Jirrwirliny Jeffries, Nineisha Norman, Haylie McCahon, Tanika McHenry, Tonheya McCormack, Elizah Dingo, Kelwin Unghango, Maxie Coppin, Kahlia Rogers and Ayla Pearson, journeyed to Broome for a week where they juggled morning school work, afternoon rehearsals and radio interviews on ABC Kimberley, and worked with choreographers and models to bring both their own creations, and those of other artists, to life on the stage over two days and three shows from 6 - 7 November. 

The show drew inspiration from the striking Dinosaur Coast of Broome and featured a stunning collection of wearable artworks created by Kimberley designers and award-winning entrants from Perth and overseas.  We held our own and happily, Hiki-Lee, Kahlia and Ayla were recognised for their stunning costume ‘Yira-Goddess’ with the award and prize in Category 8 – Stories from Country – a wonderful highlight of the week.  We are grateful for the partnership with Theatre Kimberley, which is critical in providing arts access for remote youth, many of whom have limited opportunities to access arts projects locally. During both the creative and performance stages, we observed noticeable growth in student communication, confidence, stamina, positive self-talk, ability to take risks, teamwork, and maturity.  We were so proud of ‘The Performers’ but also so very pleased by the fabulous way in which their peers and staff supported their creative endeavours both in the lead-up and during the show.  The cheering of the Yiramalay mob at the Friday night performance told me much about the strength and health of our community.  

Felicity Pearson, Director (Acting)