Overview
Three stories of Country. One message of hope.
Beneath the constellation of Bangarra Dance Theatre’s creative and cultural legacy, experience a program of three powerful works: Keeping Grounded, Brown Boys, and Sheoak, which honour Bangarra’s past while looking to the future.
An intergenerational thread connects this bold triple-bill, drawing deeply from First Nations perspectives, and offering a profound journey into the intricate bonds between people and place. Rooted in Indigenous knowledge, the concept of shelter is reimagined as a sacred, transformative space: a haven of protection, connection, and the sharing of stories across generations.

Keeping Grounded
Keeping Grounded, choreographed by Indjalandji-Dhidhanu and Alyewarre woman Glory Tuohy-Daniell, is a poignant exploration on our energetic connection to the earth and ancestral land. Born of Dance Clan 2023 and reimagined for a new stage, this piece explores the challenges of staying culturally and physically grounded in a world increasingly shaped by technological advancement.

Brown Boys
Brown Boys is a groundbreaking dance film directed by Daniel Mateo and Cass Mortimer Eipper. Visually poetic and deeply personal, it delves into the experiences of young Indigenous men, exploring identity, belonging, and cultural connection. Inspired by Mateo’s own poetry, the film intimately portrays his journey as a Gamilaroi and Tongan man – blending dance, narrative, and cinematic artistry. This work was first presented in Dance Clan 2024.

Sheoak
Sheoak, choreographed by Mirning woman Frances Rings for Bangarra Dance Theatre with music by Munaldjali and Nunukul man and renowned composer David Page, is a deeply affecting work exploring themes of resilience, connection to country, and cultural identity. The work, which premiered in 2015 as part of the double bill Lore under Munaldjali and Nunukul man Stephen Page’s artistic direction, draws inspiration from the sheoak tree – a powerful symbol in Indigenous Australian culture known for its strength, adaptability, and deep meaning.
Together, these three works engage with vital First Nations social and cultural issues, reminding us of the spirit at the heart of indigenous worldviews and the enduring connections between people, land, and spirit.
About the Choreographers
Glory Tuohy-Daniell
Glory is a descendant of Indjalandji Dhidhanu and Alyewarre Aboriginal tribes, in the North-West Queensland and Northern Territory, and of Scottish, English, Irish, Welsh, Chinese and Spanish heritage.
Glory Graduated from NAISDA Dance College, she then joined Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2016 under the Russell Page Graduate Program, performing and traveling with them until February 2023. The experiences that made the biggest impact on Glory’s artistic practice are attending cultural residencies with NAISDA to Saibai Island and Mao island in the Torres Strait and Elcho Island North-East Arnhem Land. Returning shows back to country with Bangarra to Yirrkala, East Arnhem Land, Marree, South Australia and Thursday Islands in the Torres Strait.
Daniel Mateo
Daniel is a descendant of the Gomeroi people of north east NSW as well as the Tongan people from the Pacifika region. Daniel was born and raised in Orange (Wiradjuri country) and later moved to Newcastle (Awabakal land).
Daniel started his dance studies at Catapult Dance in Newcastle before moving on to NAISDA Dance College in 2019. At NAISDA Daniel quickly demonstrated an impressive commitment to building both his technical and creative skills. Daniel completed his Diploma qualification at NAISDA in 2020, and in 2019 was part of Catapult Dance’s Propel program, where he created his first choreography, Boy, cries.
Cass Mortimer Eipper
Cass is a distinguished director, filmmaker, and choreographer, celebrated for his pioneering fusion of stage and cinematic arts. His signature works, known for their inventive visual language and choreographic ingenuity, have captivated audiences from Australia to Europe, India, Canada, and the U.S.A.
Leveraging his vast experience in both choreography and film-making, Cass crafts compelling video campaigns for leading institutions such as Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company, and Sydney Opera House.
Frances Rings
Frances is a descendant of the Mirning Tribe from the west coast of South Australia. She became artistic director of Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2023 and serves as co-CEO alongside Louise Ingram.
Frances made her mainstage choreographic debut with Bangarra in 2002 with Rations from Walkabout, receiving outstanding critical acclaim. Since then, she has created nine works for the company: Bush (2003, co-choreographed with Stephen Page), Unaipon (2004), X300 (2007), Artefact (2010), Terrain (2012), Sheoak (2015), SandSong (2021, co-choreographed with Stephen Page), Yuldea (2023), and Illume (2025).
Her choreographic work extends across the industry, with commissions for West Australian Ballet, Leigh Warren & Dancers, and Tasdance. Internationally, Frances has forged significant intercultural collaborations with Kaha:wi Dance Theatre in Six Nations, Turtle Island (Canada), and Atamira Dance Company in Auckland, Aotearoa (New Zealand). She was a guest collaborator and performer in Atamira’s 2015 production MITIMITI, choreographed by Jack Gray, and in 2018 created a new work for Kotahi, Atamira’s triple bill program.
From 2016 to 2019, Frances was Head of Creative Studies at NAISDA Dance College, where she directed five end-of-year productions. She then served as Associate Artistic Director at Bangarra Dance Theatre from 2019 to 2022.
Frances Rings has received numerous major awards throughout her career, recognising her exceptional contributions to Australian dance and choreography.
Community First
For 2026, we invite First Nations Community to join us for the first performance of Sheltering. The Community First performance includes a ‘pre-show yarn’ and complimentary tea and coffee; a unique and personal gathering before the curtain rises. Community members also have the chance to meet and talk directly with Bangarra’s dancers after the show. This is a special opportunity to connect, share stories, and celebrate the deep cultural threads woven through Bangarra’s work.
If you are unable to make it to our Community First performance, we also offer a dedicated allocation of subsidised Community tickets throughout the season, ensuring greater access and opportunities for Community to share in the experience of Bangarra’s storytelling.
Bangarra’s Community ticketing initiative is made possible through the generous support of The Balnaves Foundation.
Gallery
Keeping Grounded
- Choreographer Glory Tuohy-Daniell
- Composer Brendon Boney
- Set Designer Shana O'Brien
- Costume Designer Clair Parker
- Lighting Designer Karen Norris
- Rigging Consultant Katie McDonagh
- Creative Mentor Jacob Nash & Matt Cornell
Brown Boys
- Choreographer Daniel Mateo
- Directors Daniel Mateo & Cass Mortimer Eipper
- Composer Leon Rodgers
- Set and Costume Design Elizabeth Gadsby
- Director of Photography Liam Brennan
- Producer Michaela Le
Sheoak
- Choreographer Frances Rings
- Music David Page (dec.)
- Set Design Jacob Nash
- Costume design Jennifer Irwin
- Lighting Design Karen Norris
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