Acknowledgement of Country:
Marrugeku acknowledges and pays its respects to the first nations people and their ancestors and sentient beings across our broad country. We acknowledge the past, present and future custodians on whose lands we have been privileged to develop our work and to share stories, above all the Kunwinjku, Yawuru, Bunuba and Gadigal. We acknowledge the generosity of the custodial elders and community on which Marrugeku’s offices are located—Yawuru buru in Broome and the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation in Sydney.
“Marrugeku is at the global forefront of cultural expressive integrity. Their work transcends romantic representation, to represent the complex social reality of contemporary Indigenous society in a manner that confronts ever increasing audiences of both Indigenous and non- Indigenous people. Marrugeku’s artistic integrity is also demonstrating their inclusiveness of Indigenous voices, advice and guidance. As cultural advisor I can strongly attest to that.”
Patrick Dodson Patron/Cultural Advisor
Marrugeku is an unparalleled presence in Australia today, dedicated to Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians working together to develop new dance languages that are restless, transformative and unwavering.
Marrugeku builds bridges and breaks down walls between urban and remote dance communities, between Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists and between local and global situations. Our works are created out of urgent reciprocities between Peoples, Country and custodians, understanding that telling stories together is one of the simplest and hardest things we can do.
Marrugeku is led by co-artistic directors: choreographer/dancer Dalisa Pigram and director/dramaturg Rachael Swain. Working together for nearly three decades, they co-conceive and facilitate Marrugeku’s productions and research laboratories, introducing audiences to the unique and potent structures of Indigenous knowledge systems and the compelling experience of intercultural performance. Marrugeku’s performers come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, collaborating to co-create each production. Marrugeku’s patron is Yawuru cultural leader and national reconciliation advocate Senator Patrick Dodson.
Working from our bicoastal operations in the remote town of Broome Western Australia and the urban Centre of Carriageworks, Sydney, Marrugeku harnesses the dynamic of performance exchange drawn from remote, urban, intercultural and trans-Indigenous approaches to expand the possibilities of contemporary dance. Our productions tour throughout urban and remote Australia, to other Indigenous contexts internationally and throughout the world.
