Belvoir has announced Gumbaynggirr and Wiradjuri actor and creative Dalara Williams as the 2022 Balnaves Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellow.
The induction of Balnaves Fellowships newest member will provide the opportunity to work at Belvoir as a resident artist to create a work for the stage, and this year, has increased to $45,000 paid residency over an 18-month period.
Through Belvoir's creative development and programming, the collaborations will offer a voice in Belvoir's artistic decision-making processes and the opportunity to support other Indigenous artists.
The fellowship has long been recognised as one of the most Prestigious play-writing awards in Australia, attracting entrants of the highest calibre.
Some of Balnaves Fellowships previous recipients includes talented Indigenous writer Leah Purcell, Nakkiah Lui, Kodie Bedford and Nathan Maynard.
All who have submitted exceptional works that consistently affirm the depth of talent amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theatre-makers.
Born and raised in Sydney on Gadigal country, Williams graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2017.
She made her feature film debut in Top End Wedding, along with being a main cast member for ABC'S Black Comedy.
Her first play, The Lookout was selected by Moogahlin Theatre Company as a part of Yellamundie Festival and she has since been selected as part of Ilbijerri Theatre Company's Black Wright's writing program.
Williams prides herself on her strong ties to her culture and her passion for writing, she bridges the gap between those two worlds, by showcasing the importance of own voices, language, culture and stories to the stage and screen.
Her new work, 'As I Was Walking Down Eveleigh Street', follows a family residing in the community of Redfern streets, better known as 'The Block'.
Living on Eveleigh Street, the family learn the ups and downs of being Blackfullas in the city, although they can't control what happens outside of those four streets. The family knows that they'll always be safe at home, that is, until the anger and tension from the outside world begins to seep into their safe space.
Hamish Balnaves, chief executive of The Balnaves Foundation said the Foundation "believes in supporting the next generation of artists and the creative development of new Australian work".
"Philanthropic support provides the opportunity to bring new Indigenous works to new audiences; engaging, challenging and educating them, these stories play a pivotal role in truth telling, treaty and reconciliation," he said.
"Congratulations to Dalara on being awarded the Balnaves Fellowship, we are truly excited to see how she will use the fellowship to further develop her creative work as a talented artist in the industry."
