Keeping stories and history alive, Bundjalung-Yugambeh, Wiradjuri, Ni-Vanuatu man Thomas E.S. Kelly is ready to develop his first full length solo work, YARN (working title) at Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA).

Thomas will begin a three week residency with NORPA this October as part of the theatre company’s Indigenous Makers Studio initiative.

YARN (working title) is a collection of Aboriginal stories to be shared through a physical and theatrical performance. 

The new solo work choreographed and performed by Thomas – who is also Karul Projects artistic director - will use his evolving, movement vocabulary, fused with stories of humour, happiness, triumph, tragedy and creation. 

“Aboriginal culture is an oral culture,” Thomas said.

“Our stories were not written down but were documented through the passing down of our stories verbally.

“As the world moves forward we risk losing these stories, these histories, especially with our knowledge keepers getting older.”

“In developing this work I will be connecting with community members of specifically Bundjalung-Yugambeh to learn more stories about the animals, plants and country. 

“Through this process we will also identify which stories are allowed to be told in a public setting.”

Thomas graduated in 2012 from NAISDA Dance College and has since worked with Vicki Van Hout, Shaun Parker and Company, Branch Nebula, ERTH, Chunky Move, Dancenorth, The FARM, Tasdance, Outer Urban Projects and Urban Theatre Projects.

His Green Room winning work [MIS]CONCEIVE was presented at NORPA in 2018. 

Thomas is the 2018 Dreaming Award Recipient and a 2019 American Australian Association Alumni. In 2017 Thomas created Karul Projects an indigenous led theatre company, now based in South East Queensland.

“I have been fortunate to spend some time at NORPA over the past few years and the opportunity of growing a relationship with NORPA and the Indigenous Makers Studio was a key element in my decision to relocate north after 11 years in Sydney,” he said.

“I love the vibe of NORPA and the safety that the organisation has in regards to cultural knowledge and protocol. As this will be my first full length solo work I believe NORPA is the best place for me to explore what this means for my practice.”

NORPA’s Indigenous Makers Studio supports emerging and mid-career Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island artists originating from or based in NSW to deepen their performing arts practice, hone their professional skills and develop ideas for new works. 

The initiative was developed in collaboration with the country’s leading Indigenous performing arts education centres, NAISDA and ACPA and is made possible by a grant from Creative Koori, the NSW Government's Arts and Cultural Development Program.

So far in 2019 NORPA’s Indigenous Makers Studio has hosted a two-week intensive residency for five emerging artists across regional NSW with Frances Rings and Kirk Page and a two week residency for Bundjalung Yaegl performer Mitch King to research and develop a new work Flow. 

Thomas E.S. Kelly’s residency to develop YARN is the final component of NORPA’s Indigenous Makers Studio initiative for 2019.

Thomas will present an informal work-in-progress showing of YARN at the NORPA Studio on Thursday, September 17 at 5:30pm. All are welcome. 

For more information about the showing or Indigenous Makers Studio contact Valley Lipcer at creativeprograms@norpa.org.au