Bangarra Dance Theatre will return to Dharawal Country this month for the exclusive Australian premiere of 'FuturesPast', before the production travels to Mexico.
Dharawal and Gadigal dancer Chantelle Lee Lockart will perform in the work, which brings together sections from Artistic Director Frances Rings' earlier productions 'Artefact', 'Terrain' and 'Yuldea'.
For Ms Lockart, 'FuturesPast' is an opportunity to revisit stories that have helped shape her identity and growth as a performer.
"Futures Past is a chance to reconnect with stories and works that hold personal and cultural significance," she said.
"Revisiting these works feels nostalgic, while also opening space for new perspectives and deeper self-reflection on how they have shaped my identity and growth as a performer."
'Terrain' holds particular significance as the first work Ms Lockart performed with Bangarra after joining the company in 2022.
The work was originally created in 2012 and is among the three productions being revisited for 'FuturesPast', alongside 'Artefact' from 2010 and 'Yuldea' from 2023.
Ms Lockart said performing 'Terrain' has also allowed her to learn from former Bangarra dancers and deepen her connection to the work.
"Terrain was the first piece I worked on with Bangarra in 2022, and it had a big impact," she said.
"Having been part of previous remounts, I have been given the opportunity to learn from inspiring alums such as Deborah Brown, Yolande Brown, and Rikki Mason, whose knowledge of Terrain encourages me to find deeper connection and artistry beyond what I thought I could achieve."
'Yuldea' also holds a strong place in Ms Lockart's journey with Bangarra after becoming her first experience of the company's full creative process.
She was involved with the work from its development through to its return to Country, including sharing the story with community in Ceduna and Yalata.
Ms Lockart said that experience reinforced the relationship between Bangarra's performances, Country and community.
"Sharing the story with the Community in Ceduna and Yalata was meaningful, as it affirmed the importance of Bangarra's work and deepened my appreciation for the reciprocal relationship between performance and community," she said.
"It also highlighted how Bangarra's work contributes to the preservation and revitalisation of First Nations cultural traditions."
That connection will continue when 'FuturesPast' is first performed on Dharawal Country before travelling internationally.
Ms Lockart said giving community the first opportunity to see the work is part of the cultural cycle behind Bangarra's storytelling.
"Mob must see the show first because the community always comes first," she said.
"Community is the source of life and the reason Bangarra does what it does."
The production will then travel to the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato, Mexico, on October 3 and 4, with further performances planned in Mexico City.
Ms Lockart hopes audiences leave 'FuturesPast' with a stronger understanding of First Nations culture, Country and storytelling.
"I hope audiences walk away with a deeper respect for the strength, power, and resilience of First Nations culture in Australia, and understand the significance of our connection to land, kinship, and stories," she said.
"By engaging with these stories, I hope audiences of all backgrounds feel inspired to reflect, learn, and keep connecting with First Nations culture in Australia and throughout the world."
'FuturesPast' will be performed at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre on Dharawal Country from September 17 to 19, with tickets available through Merrigong Theatre Company.
