An Act of Being

Frances Rings is the Artistic Director and co-CEO of Bangarra Dance Theatre. A celebrated choreographer and dancer, she has created critically acclaimed works such as Terrain, Sheoak and SandSong. Frances has also collaborated with leading dance companies in Australia and internationally. She was Head of Creative Studies at NAISDA Dance College and is a champion for First Nations storytelling through dance. Her work is deeply rooted in Country, culture, and connection. 

Cass Mortimer Eipper is an award-winning director, filmmaker and choreographer, renowned for his fusion of dance and cinematic storytelling. His work has been featured by Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Dance Company, and Sydney Opera House. Cass has choreographed for companies including Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and West Australian Ballet. His critically acclaimed work Grey Rhino was widely praised for its bold artistic innovation. Cass’s expertise in visual storytelling and movement continues to push creative boundaries. 

Leon Rodgers is a Melbourne-based composer and sound designer, creating scores for film, documentaries and the commercial sector. A recipient of the David Page Music Fellowship (2021), Leon has collaborated with First Nations filmmaker John Harvey and composed for Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Yuldea. With a background in music production, songwriting and performance, his work blends atmospheric soundscapes with rich storytelling, bringing emotional depth and cultural resonance to every project. 

Karen Mundine, a proud Bundjalung woman, is the CEO of Reconciliation Australia, leading national advocacy and engagement for First Nations rights. She played a pivotal role in historic events, including the Apology to the Stolen Generations and Corroboree 2000. A key architect of the Australian Reconciliation Barometer, she works across government, business and civil society to drive meaningful change. Karen sits on the boards of Sydney Festival and the National Museum of Australia and is a champion of reconciliation and equity.

Bangarra Dance Theatre is Australia’s leading First Nations performing arts company drawing on over 65,000 years of culture embodied in contemporary movement. Bangarra’s dancers are professionally trained, dynamic artists with a proud Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background. Together, they represent the pinnacle of Australian talent.

Reconciliation Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation and the lead body for reconciliation in Australia. It promotes and facilitates reconciliation by building relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.