About

ILBIJERRI is one of Australia’s leading theatre companies creating innovative works by First Nations artists.

ILBIJERRI creates, presents and tours powerful and engaging theatre, creatively controlled by Indigenous artists. Our stories are provocative and affecting and give voice to our unique and diverse cultures.

Each year we travel to national, regional and remote locations across Australia and the world. Since 2010 we have presented 18 new works, performed 609 times in 308 venues to 97,849 people.

ILBIJERRI is an advocate and leader for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Australia. In this role we deliver a broad program of Artist Development for new and emerging Indigenous writers, directors, actors and creatives.

Born from community ILBIJERRI has become a spearhead for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in telling our stories of what it means to be Indigenous in Australia today.

We promote discussion and raise awareness of key issues facing the community through the development and touring of issue-based works.

ILBIJERRI is committed to developing our audience and a strong national profile.

Our work possesses the power to reach out and remind audiences of every person’s need for family, history and heritage. Our collaborative relationships with communities and artists are at the heart of our creative process and all our work empowers and enlightens our audiences.

"ILBIJERRI exudes a defiant sense of honesty and a clear determination to create change through story"

Broadsheet Melbourne

Companies we work with

MISSION

ILBIJERRI Theatre Company creates challenging and inspiring theatre by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists that gives voice to our cultures.

VISION

Our voices are powerful in determining the future of Australia. Our cultures are respected, celebrated and embraced.

HISTORY

ILBIJERRI (pronounced ‘il BIDGE er ree) is a Woiwurrung word meaning ‘Coming Together for Ceremony’.

ILBIJERRI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Cooperative (ILBIJERRI Theatre Company) was formed in 1990 when a group of Melbourne Indigenous artists and community members came together to form a professional theatre company for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Victoria.

Since the company’s inception we have been initiating and developing performances in collaboration with our community and artists. Our plays explore a range of complex and controversial issues from a uniquely Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective. Our work possesses the power to reach out and remind audiences of every person’s need for family, history and heritage.

Awards

2017 Melbourne Award

Contribution to Community by a Community Organisation
2017 Drover Award

Rachael Maza - Touring Legend
2016 Green Room Award

BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR - Best Independent Theatre Production
2015 VicHealth Award

Building Health Through Arts
2015 Drama Victoria Award

Best Peformance by a Theatre Company for VCE Drama - BEAUTIFUL ONE DAY
2014 Helpmann Award

Best Regional Tour for 2013 National Tour of JACK CHARLES V THE CROWN
2014 APACA Drover Award

Tour of the Year for the 2013 National Tour of JACK CHARLES V THE CROWN
2014 Green Room Association Award

For Industry Contribution
2014 Melbourne Awards Finalist

For Contribution to Profile by a Community Organisation
2013 Creative Partnerships Australia Awards

Creative Partnerships Arts & Health Award - ILBIJERRI Theatre & Department of Health and Hepatitis Victoria
2012 Helpmann Award Nomination

Rachael Maza – Best Director Nominee for JACK CHARLES V CROWN
2012 Helpmann Award Nomination

Jack Charles – Best Actor Nominee for JACK CHARLES V CROWN
2012 The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards

Group Winner
2011 The Woor-Dungin Awards

Celebrating partnerships between Indigenous organisations and philanthropy
2008 Public Healthcare Awards

Department of Services Secretary’s award for CHOPPED LIVER
2008 Indigenous Community Justice Awards

Enforcement Initiative - CHOPPED LIVER
2006 Deadly Awards

Outstanding achievement in literature - Gary Foley, Kylie Belling and John Harding for DIRTY MILE