NIPAIR aims to bring together Indigenous scholars, research students, and professional artists in the field of Indigenous theatre and performing arts in Australia for the mutual benefit and aim of supporting excellence in research and innovation.
Led by Dr Liza-Mare Syron - UNSW Senior Indigenous Scientia Fellow and Akala Newman - Indigenous Research Assistant, the network seeks to, build an environment for knowledge sharing and inquiry into research, practice, and innovation. Build a collegiate community that supports and celebrates Indigenous cultural expression, heritage, and performance practice. Create research and practice collaboration opportunities that are driven by sector needs and aspirations. Privilege the Indigenous voice in leading discussions about Indigenous theatre and performance practice.
This symposium is a way forward to have open discussions regarding ways of making theatre: Defining sovereignty, diversity, and practice. It will incorporate sector research priorities and discuss approaches to supporting these needs within an academic environment.
We also want to support Indigenous HDRs and Early Career Researchers in building relationships with the sector, and offer support for their studies through the academy. In saying that we invite First Nation’s HDRs and Early Career Researchers in Theatre and Performance Studies who would like to present their work at the symposium to email their interest to: akala.newman@unsw.edu.au and l.syron@unsw.edu.au.
Indigenous Research Ideas in Practise: To discuss their research ideas and to receive feedback aligning sector and research interests.
Afternoon Session 1: 1pm – 2pm
Sector Panel Discussion and Strategic Thinking: Ways of making theatre.
Defining sovereignty, diversity and practice.
Afternoon Session 2: 2-3pm
National Theatre Network for sector strategic thinking and priority planning: What was said then and what we need now.
How do I attend online?
Join the event on zoom here: https://unsw.zoom.us/j/85826512060 (click the link or copy and paste into your browser)
If attending in person, how do I get to UNSW?
Click here for information on getting to UNSW including maps and public transport details.
What food is available around the venue?
We're right across the road from a range of food and drink outlets, including an IGA Supermarket. Click here for more on what's available.
Studio One is wheelchair accessible. Please contact us if you have any access requirements.
Download an accessibility parking and toilets map here (PDF).
Akala Newman // akala.newman@unsw.edu.au
Dr Liza-Mare Syron // l.syron@unsw.edu.au
Angela is a Tiwi, Larrakia and Chinese woman, with a wealth of leadership experience across local, national and international arts and culture.
Angela is a highly credentialed arts manager having held pivotal roles at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute and Tarnanthi – Art Gallery of South Australia; Adelaide Festival Centre; and producer for the First Nations Dialogues New York, USA (a First Nations-led gathering of artists, presenters, curators and producers held across various locations). She also has intimate experience within the sector working as an independent producer with First Nations artists and communities to develop and tour new work.
She most recently was at Arts South Australia where she planned, developed and created the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Strategy for South Australia.
Angela is currently the Chair of Vitalstatistix and sits on the boards of Carclew and Performing Arts Connections (PAC) Australia.
Eva Grace Mullaley is a Widi/Yamatji nyarlu from the Midwest Region of Western Australia. Eva has worn many hats in the Theatre industry including Development Producer in the beginnings of a Peak Body for First Nations Theatre in from 2015 to 2018 and Artistic Director of Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company in Perth from 2019 and into the future.
Murrawarri/Ngemba woman Lily Shearer celebrates 40+ years in Cultural Arts & Community Development, Performance and Theatre making, Producing and Arts Administration in 2021. A land-based storyteller on the unceded lands of Ngemba & Gadigal peoples, Lily collaborates with communities, emerging and established artists of all genres, enabling stories for the stage, festivals, music, installation and film. Lily’s practice of enabling First Peoples leadership and ownership initiatives is at the core of all her works, including the establishment of Moogahlin Performing Arts (2007). A process outlined in Protocols of Engagement: 'Community Cultural Development' Encounters an Urban Aboriginal Experience (2009). This process provided leadership opportunities for local First Peoples Australian performance practitioners and provided new opportunities for emerging local First Peoples Australian theatre makers and practitioners.
Lily’s practice is deeply embedded in Cultural Values and beliefs of Murrawarri/Ngemba peoples, instilled to her by her Grandparents, Parents and community of Brewarrina where she was born and raised. Commencing in Cultural Arts as a Dancer, Lily also attributes her diverse knowledge and Cultural Arts practice to the University of Elders that she has so fortunately worked with over the past 40 years in Brewarrina, Redfern, Glebe, Blacktown (Mt Druitt) and Sydney’s Greater West. These collective wisdoms inform Lily’s practice looking at the holistic self of First Peoples and PLACE Making to include physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual well-being in relationship with Mother Earth, who sustains all life with food, shelter and clothing.
Lily is a co-founder and Artistic Director of Moogahlin Performing Arts, a CreateNSW Senior Performing Arts Fellow (18/19), Ros Bower Award recipient (2016) and alumni of the British council’s Accelerate Program (2012).
Dr. Alethea Beetson is a Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi and Wiradjuri artist and producer. Alethea has worked as the Indigenous Engagement Coordinator at the Queensland Museum, Curator of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program at Festival 2018 Brisbane, and as First Nations Producer at BIGSOUND and Horizon Festival. She is also the founder of Digi Youth Arts.
Amy Sole is a proud Wiradjuri/Worimi person. Amy is a playwright, director, activist, actor, and producer. They completed their Master of Theatre (Playwriting) at VCA (Victorian College of the Arts) in 2020 and are currently undertaking their Master of Fine Arts (Directing) at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Arts).
Rachael Maza is a Yidinji and Meriam woman and the current Artistic Director for ILBIJERRI Theatre Company (2008 – present). Both born into a movement and carving her own legacy, Rachael stands strong for First Nations theatre making as a powerful tool for social justice and brings a wealth of acting, directing, dramaturgical experience and profile to black theatre in Australia.
