first nations dance

first nations dance, public program

First Nations Choreographic Lab: Kaine Sultan-Babij, Lines

Photo: Bri Hammond

Showing and Q&A

When: Friday, June 27, 6-7pm

Where: The Breakout at The Mill, 154 Angas St, Kaurna Yarta

Cost: $10 (+ booking fee)

Note: Please arrive 15 minutes early to grab a drink. This event will be 1 hour (including a Q&A)

  • Getting to the showing

    This showing and Q&A will be held in The Mill Breakout. Please come to the Exhibition Space at 154 Angas Street, the bar will be open to grab a drink before we take you through to The Breakout.

    Please arrive at 5:45pm arrival for a 6pm sharp start.

    This event will be 1 hour (including the Q&A).

    Accessibility

    Disability access is available via our Angas St entrance, access the pedestrian ramp on the corner of Gunson St to get to our front door, which will be open.

    The Mill has concrete flooring throughout with no internal steps and a disability toilet on site.

    Read more in-depth information on our accessibility web page.

    If you have questions or would like to talk to one of The Mill team contact info@themilladelaide.com

Join us for a work-in-progress showing of Lines by choreographer Kaine Sultan-Babij, developed through The Mill’s First Nations Choreographic Lab in 2025.

This new work will explore movement based on cultural understandings and use of Aboriginal artefacts.

Over one week, Kaine will co-facilitate the lab with Caleena Sansbury, The Mill’s First Nations Dance Program Coordinator, working with dancers Kirsty Williams, Melanie Koolmatrie and Tiarna Power.

The Mill’s First Nations Choreographic Lab is a program designed to create performance outcomes while supporting emerging and mid-career First Nations dancers in South Australia.

About the Facilitators:

  • Arrernte and Gurindji Contemporary Dance Artist, Kaine Sultan-Babij, is making a lasting impact on the world of dance and drag.

    With a background that includes performing with Leigh Warren and Dancers, Bangarra Dance Theatre, and the Australian Dance Theatre, Kaine has skilfully blended Contemporary Dance and Contemporary Indigenous Dance. Based in Kaurna Country, Kaine stands as an Independent Dancer and Choreographer, contributing to the vibrant Australian performing arts scene.

    Beyond Kaine's achievements in the dance world, the emergence of Estelle, a captivating Drag Performer and Persona, has added another layer to their artistic repertoire. Estelle quickly gained recognition, establishing herself as a standout performer in the Adelaide Drag Scene. Through electrifying performances, Estelle has earned a respected place in the realm of drag.

    Together, Kaine and Estelle embody a powerful fusion of Tradition, creativity, and contemporary expression, making a lasting impression on the dance and drag communities in Australia.

  • Caleena Sansbury is a prominent First Nations artist whose diverse background and extensive experience have established her as a leading figure in the arts. Her heritage, encompassing Ngarrindjeri, Narungga, and Kaurna cultures, deeply influences her work and perspective.

    A graduate of NAISDA Dance College, Caleena’s career spans various disciplines including performance, choreography, and program coordination. She has showcased her talents on both national and international stages, working with respected artists and companies.

    Her notable collaborations include:

    • Vicki Van Hout on productions like Long Grass and Les Festivities Lubrufier.

    • Thomas E. S. Kelly on the performance work [MIS]CONCEIVE.

    • Karul Projects on the piece SSHIFT.

    Caleena’s experience extends to children's theatre, where she has performed in shows produced by InSite Arts such as Saltbush and Our Corka Bubs, and with Polyglot Theatre in Tangled. Her work demonstrates a deep understanding of both dance and theatre, particularly in contexts involving young audiences.

    In addition to her performance career, she has contributed to theatre as an actor in Legs On the Wall’s The Man With The Iron Neck and has showcased her organizational skills as a producer for the Melbourne Fringe in 2018. She has also toured South Australia with Taree Sansbury’s Mi:wi 2019, and performed in Jacob Boheme’s dance work Gurranda in 2024. Caleena continues to perform and practice dance in and throughout South Australia. 

    Currently, Caleena is a Program Coordinator at The Mill, an award-winning multi-disciplinary arts organisation. Her role at The Mill continues to reflect her commitment to fostering a vibrant and dynamic First Nations arts community.


This project has support from

 
 

first nations dance, public program

First Nations Dance Program: BlakDance workshops

Photo: Luke Currie-Richardson and Tjarutja Dance Collective.

The Mill is facilitating a series of professional development workshops at The Mill, Adelaide, with dance industry leaders from BlakDance QLD.


Workshop 1: Intro Yarn, April 21

Getting to know each other, discussing each others practice/creative goals, about BlakDance, the organisations history, programs, how we operate and work with artists.

Workshop 2: Business Basics for Independent Artists, April 28

Business Basics for Independent Artists - the decision to set up as a business, minimum things needed to apply for funding, enter contracts etc, auspicing vs self-managed.

Workshop 3: The First Nations Dance Ecology, July 28, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

A workshop on how new work is funded and developed, overview of the sector, who is making work, where is it being produced, the different business models/structures in which artists are making work e.g. independents, companies and collectives presented. BlakDance will be delivering this workshop online from Brisbane.

Workshop 4: Managing Cultural Protocols, September 8, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Merindah Donnelly (Wiradjuri) Co-CEO & Executive Producer and Kate Eltham Co-CEO & Business Director from BlakDance will be facilitating the workshop and will have guest speaker Olivia Adams (Wulli Wulli) who is Associate Producer and Associate Artist at Blakdance.

Workshop 5: Grant Writing/Producing skills, November 3, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Co-CEO & Business Director Kate Eltham from BlakDance will be leading this workshop about grant writing and producing skills.


This project has support from

 
 

first nations dance, public program

First Nations Dance Program: Supported by Australian Dance Theatre

Photo: Supplied by Tjarutja Dance Collective

As part of The Mill's First Nations Dance program, Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) is offering the following programs including; dance technique classes, choreographic workshops and secondments at ADT.


ADT Secondment week

Two dancers to join ADT for their upcoming secondment week. Learn ADT’s repertoire, and enhance and refine your dance technique alongside ADT’s First Nations Artistic Director Daniel Riley, Company Artists and both emerging and professional dancers. Level of dance experience required.

Details

When: July 3-7, 9:30am-5:30pm

Where: The Odeon, Australian Dance Theatre, 57A Queen St, Norwood

Ages: 18+

Cost: Free


TREAD

Tread is ADT’s artist program giving two First Nation dancers exposure to the company’s range and training methods, aiming to further develop their creative dance skills. Artists will be learning alongside other young dancers as part of the program. Tread offers a three-term program of training and performance opportunities to motivated First Nation dancers. Tread artists train at ADT’s home The Odeon and are led by ADT’s teaching artists, alumni and professional dancers to develop and advance their dance technique and skills.

Details

When: July 27 - September 28

Where: The Odeon, Australian Dance Theatre, 57A Queen St, Norwood

Ages: 16-18

Cost: Free


Tuesday night classes

A 6-week block of contemporary dance classes led by Australian Dance Theatre Artistic Director Daniel Riley and company dancers. Offering the opportunity to learn a wide range of dance skills/technique. All levels of dance experience welcome, an interest in contemporary dance preferable.

Dance class facilitators:

September 5: Daniel Riley

September 12: Adrianne Semmens

September 19: Karra Nam

September 26: Kaine Sultan Babij

October 3: Adrianne Semmens

October 10: Daniel Riley

Details

When: September 5 - October 10, 6:30pm-8pm (dancers can arrive from 6pm to warm up)

Where: The Odeon, Australian Dance Theatre, 57A Queen St, Norwood

Ages: 18+

Cost: Free


Groundswell

Groundswell is ADT’s First Nations and Diverse Choreographic Development Program. This year we will have a Torres Strait Islander artist in residence at ADT developing new work and sharing their choreographic practise with the ADT Company Artists. This will be a wonderful opportunity for a First Nations dancer/choreographer to be part of their creative process working alongside and observing the company in the development of new work and ideas. The chosen artist would spend a week with ADT within the period September 25-October 20. Dance experience required.

Details

When: September 25 - October 20

Where: The Odeon, Australian Dance Theatre, 57A Queen St, Norwood

Ages: 18+

Cost: Free


This program has support from