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Artwork for Emu in the Sun
Artwork for Emu in the Sun
Artwork for Emu in the Sun
Artwork for Emu in the Sun
Emu in the Sun

27 November — 7 December 2024

Southbank Theatre, The Lawler

A story about overcoming the darkness and reminding us of what we are really made of.

Approx. 1 hour with no interval

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This is rated 0 out of 5 stars

‘Wildly inventive and unconventional, whimsical and free, this is a gloom-dispelling odyssey.’

The Age
This is rated 0 out of 5 stars

‘A breathtaking exploration of resilience and hope.’

ArtsHub

“I heard a story once of a woman who turned into an Emu and ran into the sun…”

Emu in the Sun is a dance, a song, a story that is written in the sky. Etta is spiraling. Gripped by melancholy. She is glued to her bed, she hasn’t moved for days. Her bleakness is interrupted when the universe comes knocking. All the things that feel too big to face come rushing into Etta's small bedroom. 

A story about overcoming the darkness and reminding us of what we are really made of.

 

 

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible

Artwork for Phoebe Grainer

Phoebe Grainer

Writer / Performer

Phoebe Grainer is a Kuku Djungan, Muluridji, Wakaman, Tagalaka, Kunjen, Warrgamay and Yindinji woman from Far North Queensland. Phoebe is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). As an actor, her credits include Black Cockatoo (Ensemble Theatre); Tiddas (La Boite Theatre); Saltbush (Insite Arts); Two Hearts, Serpent’s Teeth, Doing (Kings Cross Theatre); Rainbow’s End (Darlinghurst Theatre). Her screen credits include While the Men are Away (SBS). Phoebe is a Creative Producer at Sweatshop Literacy Movement. Her writing credits include Racism: Stories on Fear, Hate & Bigotry and Blacklight: Ten Years of First Nations Storytelling.  Phoebe is currently a part of ILBIJERRI Theatre Company’s BlackWrights program. She was part of Darlinghurst Theatre’s Next in Line program in 2020 and 2021, as well as Griffin Theatre Studio in 2021. Phoebe was a 2022 finalist for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award with her play, Sugar Cane. In 2024 she won the Australia Council for the Arts prestigious Dreaming Award. 

Artwork for Amy Sole

Amy Sole

Director

Amy Sole is a proud Wiradjuri/Worimi person. Amy is an award-winning playwright, director, actor, dramaturg and advocate. They are Creative Associate at ILBIJERRI Theatre Company and a graduate of MFA (Directing) at NIDA and hold a Master of Theatre (Playwriting) from VCA. Recent directorial works for theatre include Scar Trees, Whitefella Yella Tree (ILBIJERRI Theatre Company); Forgetting Tim Minchin (25a, Downstairs Belvoir); Benched (Darlinghurst Theatre Company) and Burning (NIDA), which they also co-wrote. Amy regularly directs and dramaturgs developments of new works, some include Phoebe Grainer’s Sugarcane for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award and Dylan Ven Den Berg’s waybackwhen at Darlinghurst Theatre Company and Big Name No Blankets at ILBIJERRI Theatre Company. They have worked as assistant director on God's Country (NIDA, 2022), Metamorphoses (NIDA, 2021), and RENT (Sydney Opera House, 2021). They are a part of Melbourne Theatre Company's Artistic Associate Advisory Council, and a sitting Co-Chair of the Equity Diversity Committee. 

Artwork for Teresa Moore

Teresa Moore

Performer

Teresa Moore is a proud Noongar and Yamitji woman who graduated from Western Australia Academy Performing Art’s Bachelor of Arts (Acting) in 2018, during which she has had the pleasure of performing roles such as Tituba in The Crucible, ‘Eunice’ in A Streetcar Named Desire and Condoleezza Rice in Stuff Happens. Theatre and Stage credits include Sista Girl and Panawathi Girl (Yirra Yaakin Theatre); Wundig Wer Wilura (Western Australian Opera) and Bran Nue Dae (Opera Australia). Television credits include Mystery Road (season 1), Black Comedy (season 5), Doctor Doctor (season 5) and Play School. Teresa was previously an Associate Artist at Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, for which she had the pleasure to be the creative producer and writer of the Ngalaka Daa Ensemble 2023 program. Teresa also produced the WOOLAH! exhibition for Yirra Yaakin’s 30th anniversary and was a part of Yirra Yaakin Writing Festival as a narrator. 

Artwork for Luke Currie-Richardson

Luke Currie-Richardson

Performer

Luke Currie-Richardson, a proud descendant of the Kuku Yalanji, Djabugay, Mununjali, Butchulla, and Meriam peoples, has dedicated over 14 years to sharing powerful Indigenous stories through dance, film, photography, spoken word and fashion. Touring with Bangarra Dance Theatre and Marrugeku, he’s collaborated with artists like Ghenoa Gela and Wesley Enoch. In 2023, Luke debuted his choreography GEDOVAIT in the Stephanie Lake Escalator program. His photography, featured in Vogue and Marie Claire, won the People’s Choice Award in the 2024 National Photographic Portrait Prize. In 2022, he made his theatre acting debut in Kalanga Atu at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. As a poet, his work has been showcased at Sydney Festival’s The Vigil and published by Red Room Poetry. Through his multidisciplinary practice, Luke amplifies Indigenous culture, challenging perceptions of identity and belonging in contemporary Australia.

Artwork for Trevor Jamieson

Trevor Jamieson

Performer

Trevor Jamieson, a proud Pitjantjatjara and Nyungar man, is a veteran of stage and screen with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He is known as an actor, dancer, musician and storyteller. Stage credits include the Australian tour of The Season, Sydney Theatre Company’s Secret River and Namatjira at Southbank, London in front of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. His feature film credits include Run Rabbit Run, Frank & Frank, The Furnace, Storm Boy, Thalu: Dreamtime is Now and Boys in the Trees.  On television he has been seen in Black Comedy, My Place, Secret River and Cleverman as Uncle Max. Trevor was announced as a Permanent Ambassador for the Revelation Perth International Film Festival in 2017.  The same year his portrait, taken by Brett Canet-Gibson, took out the People’s Choice Award at the National Portrait Gallery exhibition in Canberra. Trevor was also the face for the compelling campaign, History is Calling: The Uluru Statement. 

Katie Sfetkidis

Katie Sfetkidis

Lighting Designer

Katie Sfetkidis is a lighting designer and contemporary artist based in Naarm/Melbourne. She has worked extensively in theatre, dance and experimental performance for over 15 years both in Australia and internationally. Working broadly across the sector, Katie has collaborated with a range of companies and artists. For Melbourne Theatre Company this includes Touching the Void,  Come Rain or Come Shine and Abigail’s Party.  Other credits include Homo Pentecostus (Malthouse Theatre/Joel Bray Dance); Loaded (Malthouse Theatre); Looking for Alibrandi (Malthouse Theatre); Garabari (Joel Bray Dance with Chunky Move); Considerable Sexual License (Joel Bray Dance); Daddy (Joel Bray Dance); Chase (A Daylight Connection/Malthouse Theatre).  She has received two Green Room Awards and is the current co-chair of the Theatre Companies Panel. 

Artwork for Dann Barber

Dann Barber

Set Designer

Dann Barber is an award-winning set and costume designer whose work is influenced by his study of drawing and fine art at RMIT. He is also a graduate of theatre design from NIDA. Recent work includes A Very Jewish Christmas Carol (Melbourne Theatre Company); Melbourne, Cheryomushki (Victorian Opera); The Crocodile (Spinning Plates); Wittenoom, The Amateurs (Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre); Rent (LPD Productions); Barnum the Musical and Chess (Storeyboard Entertainment). He has been the associate costume designer for Gabriela Tylesova for the Australian Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty and again for Melbourne Theatre Company’s Shakespeare in Love. Dann has received and been nominated for numerous awards including Green Room Awards for Best Design in Cabaret for The Ghetto Cabaret (Kadimah Yiddish Theatre), Best Independent Set and Costume Design for The Mermaid (La Mama Theatre) and Best Set Design for Yentl (Kadimah Yiddish Theatre). Dann is a guest lecturer and tutor at VCA and Melbourne University.

Artwork for Emma Salmon

Emma Salmon

Set & Costume Design Secondment

Artwork for Stone Turner

Stone Turner

Set & Costume Design Secondment

Artwork for James Henry

James Henry

Sound Designer / Composer

James has worked as a composer and sound designer on various productions, including 37, Admissions, Jacky (Melbourne Theatre Company); An Octaroon (Queensland Theatre). He received a Green Room Award in 2023 for Sound Design of Heart is a Wasteland (ILBIJERRI Theatre), in collaboration with Gary Watling and Lidia Fairhall. His versatile skill set extends to composing for renowned ensembles, such as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and others. As a cultural advocate, he plays a vital role in revitalising indigenous languages through music. His recent fellowship deepened his understanding of traditional Aboriginal music, enabling seamless integration into contemporary contexts. James earned recognition, receiving a nomination for Best Documentary Score at the 2022 AACTA Awards. James Henry's contributions extend beyond the stage, making him a significant figure in the cultural tapestry, bridging traditions and contemporary expressions. 

Artwork for Todd J. Bennett

Todd J. Bennett

Sound Design Secondment

Artwork for Emma Holgate

Emma Holgate

Design Associate

Artwork for Jules Orcullo

Jules Orcullo

Dramaturg

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The Lawler

140 Southbank Boulevard

Southbank, Victoria 3006