Biw a Githalay

While the project is still in development it is the strategic ambition of the community that the work tours widely following the development. The final part will culminate in workshop presentations within the Saibai Island communities, and based on anticipated successful outcomes, ILBIJERRI already has interest from significant cultural institutions nationally and internationally.

Stage 1: February 2019 – Project planning – completed
Stage 2: February 2021 – Community engagement – completed
Stage 3: August 2021 onwards - Creative development on Country on Saibai Island – in progress via zoom and on Country, focused on Community engagement, writing and linguistics, puppetry workshops, Cultural Protocol and Engagement training, design meetings and script development
Stage 4: 2025 – Creative development and workshop presentations with four Saibai Communities in Cairns, Brisbane, Bamaga and Thursday Island
Stage 5: 2025 - Rehearsal, premiere and national tour, followed by an international tour

BIW A GITHALAY has gone through an extensive period of cultural consultation and creative development with cultural mentors, linguists, community and the professional creative team to establish cultural protocols, process development, concept, design and script structure. A culturally safe, deep listening process is integral to the work.  Creative development and consultation is currently underway via zoom and on country, focused on community engagement, writing and linguistics, puppetry workshops, Cultural Protocol and Engagement training, design meetings and script development.

During the next development process, the creative and cultural team will spend a week with each of the Saibai communities in Cairns, Brisbane, Bamaga, and Thursday Island. They will work with teachers, children and community members to workshop and present a performance of BIW A GITHALAY. This process will include supporting the teaching staff to assist in curriculum engagement to integrate the school learning process with cultural learnings and creative expression. The resulting workshop performance will be presented publicly for the local community. 

This project will have a lasting and tangible impact on communities leaving a legacy of language, skills and true pride within the Saibai community. There is an unmet and growing demand for First Nations work for children. ILBIJERRI productions often tour for a decade or more regionally, nationally and internationally.

This project will:

• Bring a remote cultural story to life and create a platform for knowledge sharing using traditional methods of storytelling through art, weaving, song, dance, puppetry and music
• Create a multi-disciplinary creative experience that maintains, preserves and celebrates Saibai Island culture and language, leaving a lasting impact on audiences
• Share this dynamic work broadly to audiences from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  communities across Queensland and Torres Strait, and following this, to international arts audiences in major cities across Australia
• Support teachers to adapt and enrich their teaching practice with protocol appropriate First Nations content
• Offer mentoring and attachment opportunities for First Nations artists, teaching practical theatre skills, building confidence and expanding arts connections, and addressing the skill shortage in the First Nations performing arts sector 
• Offer an opportunity for trans-generational knowledge sharing through the experience of creating theatre