Bangarra Dance Theatre is proud to announce the appointment of Kokatha woman, Frances Rings as the company’s incoming Artistic Director. Rings will take on the role as Stephen Page announces that he will step down as Bangarra Artistic Director in early 2023.
Announcing the appointment, Bangarra Dance Theatre Chair Phillipa McDermott said, “Whilst this marks the end of an era, Frances Rings is an incredible artist and the perfect choice to carry the extraordinary legacy of Stephen Page into Bangarra’s next cycle. We are thrilled to welcome such a major talent with a deep connection to Bangarra. Stephen is a national treasure and his legacy cannot be underestimated, he has done so much for this nation. On behalf of the board I thank him for his unfailing dedication to his people and his work in bringing cultures together through art, which will be honoured forever more.”
Page’s resignation marks the end of an incredible 32-year tenure as Bangarra’s Artistic Director. A descendant of the Nunukul people and the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh Nation from SE Queensland, Page was appointed Artistic Director in 1991. Over this time, he has developed an unsurpassed signature body of works that have become milestones in Australian performing arts history, setting a benchmark for storytelling not only across Australia, but internationally, and firmly establishing Bangarra as a critical part of the Australian cultural ecosystem. Continue reading FRANCES RINGS APPOINTED ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF BANGARRA DANCE THEATRE