Recognised as a renowned dancer, choreographer and educator, Michael Leslie will step onto the stage to tell his own remarkable story in the world premiere of Beyond the Tracks.
Presented at Carriageworks across July 8-11, the powerful new multidisciplinary work combines dance, movement, poetry and immersive audiovisual storytelling.
Beyond the Tracks traces Leslie's extraordinary life and his central role in the rise of Aboriginal contemporary performance in Australia.
Raised in a tent by the railway tracks in Moree, the Kamilaroi / Mandandanji man's early life was shaped by hardship, resilience and the constant sound of trains passing metres from the family home; a memory that became the foundation for Beyond the Tracks.
After discovering dance as a young man, Leslie became part of Redfern's groundbreaking Black arts movement of the 1970s, training under African American choreographer Carole Johnson and helping shape the foundation of NAISDA and contemporary Aboriginal dance in Australia.
Awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship, Leslie graduated from New York's Alvin Ailey American Dance Centre, where the intensity and discipline of the city's dance culture left an indelible mark on his career.
Across the decades that followed, Leslie became one of the country's most influential Aboriginal arts leaders, helping establish institutions including the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA), contributing to landmark works including Bran Nue Dae, and mentoring generations of Aboriginal artists.
Now approaching 70, Leslie takes to the stage to tell his story in his own words and movement, revisiting dance, activism, memory and ageing in a deeply personal work presented inside Carriageworks' historic rail yards.
A powerful living portrait of an Aboriginal artist, Beyond the Tracks explores the pain, resilience and triumph of a visionary who has created pathways for generations.
This is both a celebration of a singular artist and a living archive of Aboriginal performing arts history.
Beyond The Tracks is co-created with leading Australian artist Ursula Yovich and director Nicholas Flanagan.
Located on Gadigal Land in Redfern, Carriageworks is a place of enduring significance for Aboriginal communities.
Carriageworks is proud to present this work during NAIDOC Week 2026 (5th-12th of July), which is celebrating 50 years of Deadly - a milestone moment for the community.
Beyond the Tracks forms part of Carriageworks Bay 20 program, showcasing outstanding works from leading Australian artists and companies across theatre, dance, opera, live music, and family works.
Beyond the Tracks will run from the 8th to the 11th of July at Carriageworks, Bay 20, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh, NSW.
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