Tracker

Australian Dance Theatre

60 Minutes no interval

Next Event

About

Photo Credit: © Jonathan VDK

In one of his first works as Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre, Wiradjuri director-choreographer Daniel Riley evokes an immensely powerful and personal story of his Great-Great Uncle, Alec “Tracker” Riley.

Alec, a Wiradjuri Elder and tracker, served the New South Wales Police Force for 40 years, leading numerous high-profile cases. As an Elder of his community he forged a path between the enforced colonial system in which he worked and his Wiradjuri lore. Tracker takes inspiration from his legacy and examines the battles First Nations people have shared for generations.

Weaving together dance, music and text, Tracker invites the audience into an open and transformative ceremonial space. This remarkable story is brought to life by a team of celebrated First Nations creatives, including award-winning playwright Ursula Yovich, co-director Rachael Maza AM, composers James Henry and Gary Watling, visual artist Jonathan Jones, lighting designer Chloe Ogilvie and an all-First Nations cast.

Culturally rich and ambitiously original, this multidisciplinary work rethinks how we engage with and experience First Nations storytelling.

View the Tracker Program here

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Acknowledgements

This project was initiated by Daniel Riley and initially commissioned by ILBIJERRI Theatre Company. Produced by Bureau of Works and Australian Dance Theatre.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc., commissioned by Sydney Festival, Perth Festival, Adelaide Festival, Rising and Brisbane Festival.

We thank and pay our deep respects to members of the Riley family, for their generosity and support in the creation of this work. We acknowledge Wiradjuri people, and their social, spiritual and cultural connection to their traditional land and stories. We extend that respect to Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia where this work has been created over its many stages.

Tracker has also been supported by the Australian Government through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund and the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria; the City of Melbourne through Arts House; Besen Family Foundation; Dubbo Regional Council; Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre; Annamila Foundation; and the University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Knowledge Institute.

Australian Dance Theatre is supported by the Government of South Australia through the Department of the Premier and cabinet, and the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body; Tanja Liedtke Foundation; SA Power Networks; Boileau Business Technology; Enoki; Novatech; Quest Apartment Hotels and Schwartz Media.

Credits

Co-Director and Choreographer
Daniel Riley (Wiradjuri)

Co-Director
Rachael Maza AM (Yidinji, Meriam Mer)

Writer
Ursula Yovich (An-Burra)

Set Designer
Jonathan Jones (Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi)

Composer and Sound Designer
James Henry (Yuwaalaraay, Yorta Yorta)

Composer and Live Musician
Gary Watling (Wiradjuri)

Lighting Designer
Chloë Ogilvie (Yamatji)

Costume Designer
Ailsa Paterson

Scenic Artist
Merindah Funnel (Wiradjuri)

Performers
Tyrel Dulvarie (Yirrganydji, Djirrabul, Kalkadoon and Umpila), Rika Hamaguchi (Yawuru), Ari Maza-Long (Yidinji, Meriam Mer), Kaine Sultan-Babij (Arrente)

Dramaturgs
Amy Sole (Wiradjuri) and Jennifer Medway

Project Elders
Aunty Shirley Mathews, Aunty Ann Cribb

Wiradjuri Language Translator
Aunty Dianne Riley McNaboe

Producer
Erin Milne

Production Manager
Simon Greer

Stage Manager
Lyndie Li Wan Po