Ilbijerri Theatre Company

Ilbijerri was created almost 20 years ago by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in Melbourne, in response to seeing non-Indigenous theatre companies telling Indigenous stories. 

The creaters of Ilbijerri wanted to see Indigenous stories – reflecting Indigenous experiences – told by Indigenous people. 

It’s this belief in “the power of black voices telling black stories” that has seen Ilbijerri become the longest surviving Indigenous theatre company in Australia. The company has toured nationally and internationally, finding critical acclaim and resonance with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences.

Ilbijerri ensures that their stories are being brought to life both authentically and with respect, whether it’s on the streets of Fitzroy (The Dirty Mile); in a remote Aboriginal health clinic (Chopped Liver); in a theatre in Japan (Stolen); or with a Reconciliation Week show that reminds us of every person’s need for a connection to family, history and heritage (Songlines of a Mutti Mutti Man).

In 2008, Ilbijerri gained the added impetus of a new Artistic Director in the vibrant form of Rachael Maza Long – a move which has seen such conversation generating sights as: a cast of Indigenous performers encased in museum cabinets in Federation Square (Jacky Jacky in the Box); a tent full of the state’s sexiest and most talented Blackfellas (the VIPA Awards @ The Famous Spiegeltent); and Australia’s first Black Prime Minister (A Black Sheep Walks into a Baa, Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2009).

Ilbijerri is poised on the brink of an immensely exciting new era of Indigenous theatre – where a Spade is a Spade, and Black is The New Black.  Ilbijerri's journey is one of discovery, where the rules are simple:  be bold, black and brilliant

Ilbijerri is seeking to develop philanthropic partnerships that will enable us to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers to tell our stories through theatre.  

www.ilbijerri.com.au