A New Stage Bangarra moves to the Joan Sutherland Theatre

A bold change for our resident company Bangarra Dance Theatre begins in 2025. Australia’s beloved First Nations cultural and dance powerhouse is moving to the world-renowned Joan Sutherland Theatre at Sydney Opera House. After 20 years of captivating audiences in the Drama Theatre, Bangarra will now make fire in this grand space; an illuminating new chapter. 

To celebrate, we’ve collaborated with Bangarra to release a beautiful new film titled A New Stage.

In the film, Artistic Director Frances Rings reflects on Bangarra’s journey at the Sydney Opera House. She revisits her earliest performance in the Drama Theatre, Fish, and the many acclaimed works that followed, including Unaipon and the iconic Bennelong. Frances, a proud descendant of the Kokatha people and former dancer and choreographer, now passes songlines and traditions to the next generation of dancers.

A New Stage exists as both a reality and a metaphor. For 20 years, Bangarra has made fire in the Drama Theatre — entertaining, empowering, educating, and inspiring. The company is now ready to illuminate the Joan Sutherland Theatre, the second-largest theatre at the Opera House, also home to The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia.

Bangarra became a resident company at the Opera House in 2004, a significant moment for both the company and the site itself. Bennelong Point, where the Opera House stands, is known as Tubowgule and is a place of deep cultural importance to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. For generations, the Gadigal have gathered here to share stories, dance, sing, and feast. Today, Bangarra continues this powerful tradition, connecting with their ancestors on this harbourside land and sharing that connection with the world.

Bangarra is one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies, dedicated to bringing First Nations culture and art to local and global audiences. Through theatre, dance, music, poetry, and design, their work brings 65,000 years of stories to life.

Founding Artistic Director Stephen Page led Bangarra to critical acclaim over his 32-year tenure, creating many iconic productions. Bangarra’s journey at the Opera House began with Fish in 1997—a celebration of Earth and the power of the elements, exploring bodies of water from swamps to seas.

In 2004, the company’s first production as a resident company was Unaipon, an enchanting retelling of the life of David Unaipon, a Ngarrindjeri man celebrated on Australia’s $50 note for his contributions as a scientist, inventor, philosopher, writer, storyteller, and Christian preacher. The show was choreographed by Frances Rings, now Bangarra’s Artistic Director.

Most recently in 2024, Bangarra’s Horizon graced the stage, a cross-cultural collaboration between Australia and Aotearoa that explores a place between sea and sky — a sacred realm serving as a compass guiding people home. This production was the last to be performed by Bangarra in the Drama Theatre before their big move.

Now from 2025, Bangarra will proudly illuminate the Joan Sutherland Theatre with works that continue their mission to celebrate and preserve First Nations culture.

A New Stage was conceived and filmed on Tubowgule. We acknowledge and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, on whose Country these powerful stories continue to be shared.

Sydney Opera House
Katie Hryce, Marketing Specialist, Resident Companies
Julia Kenny, Senior Creative
Eleanor Rout, Production Manager
Makala Moore, Marketing Coordinator, Presenters

Bangarra Dance Theatre 
John Quertermous, Marketing & Communication Director
Sophie Raper, Brand & Pathways Manager
Gisella Mandaglio, Marketing Coordinator

Frances Rings, Artistic Director and Co-CEO
Daniel Roberts, A/Director of Artistic Operations
Rikki Mason, Rehearsal Associate

Dancers: Lillian Banks, Bradley Smith, Courtney Radford, Kallum Goolagong, Kassidy Waters, Jye Uren, Kiarn Doyle, Maddison Paluch, Daniel Mateo, Emily Flannery, Janaya Lamb, James Boyd, Chantelle Lee Lockhart, Amberlilly Gordon, Lucy May, Donta Whitham

Collider and Crew 
Chloe de Brito, Director
Emily Budd, Producer
David Lethem, First Assistant Director
Sean Ryan, Director of Photography
Rhys Nicholson, First Assistant Camera
Miles Jones, Gaffer
Alex Murray, ELX 
Jason Weekes, Grip
Kane Grosvenor, Grip
Britt Spencer, Grip Assistant
Ester Rosenberg, Production Designer
Eugenie Oh, Standby Props 
Aleisa Jelbart, Wardrobe 
Mehham Malhi, Runner 
Ray Anthony, Safety Officer

Daniel Boud, Photographer
Amelia Jang, Videographer

Brenton Cassidy, Editor
Billy Wychgel, Colourist

Leon Rogers, Composer
Luke Fuller, Sound Designer