Karul Projects Dance Theatre will launch its inaugural First Nations dance ensemble on Monday, July 6, coinciding with NAIDOC Week and its 2026 theme, 50 Years of Deadly.

Four First Nations artists - Glory Tuohy-Daniell, Keia McGrady, Olivia Adams and Brooklyn Bond - join the Gold Coast based performing arts company as founding members of a permanent ensemble; a first for First Nations dance artists outside a major performing arts organisation in Australia.

Under the direction of artistic director, Thomas E.S. Kelly (Minjungbal, Wiradjuri, Ni-Vanuatu) and Associate Artistic Director Taree Sansbury (Kaurna, Narrunga, Ngarrindjeri), the artists will develop a growing program of new work creation, touring and cultural collaboration.

The ensemble represents a rare employment model within Australia's small-to-medium arts sector. To Karul's knowledge, it is the first resident ensemble of First Nations dance artists established outside one of Australia's major performing arts organisations.

Karul Projects Dance Theatre was founded on a clear belief: First Nations stories belong at the centre of Australian contemporary dance, and that First Nations artists deserve real careers in the sector that celebrates them.

Mr Kelly said the ensemble delivered on a vision he and Ms Sansbury had held since establishing Karul in 2017.

"Taree and I built Karul Projects Dance Theatre because we wanted to provide opportunities for First Nations artists both on and off the stage," he said.

"When we graduated and embarked on our professional careers, these opportunities were rare and difficult to secure.

"Now, we can support artists to perform at the highest level, telling more First Nations stories, and supporting First Nations artistry and individual development."

The launch comes during a significant year for First Nations dance and cultural leadership. In 2026, both NAIDOC Week and NAISDA Dance College, where Mr Kelly and Ms Sansbury trained, are celebrating 50-year milestones.

The establishment of Karul's salaried ensemble is one of the most significant milestones for First Nations contemporary dance in Australia in a generation.

Since the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre wound up in 1998, we have not seen another First Nations contemporary dance ensemble providing sustained paid employment for dancers at this scale.

This achievement is a testament to Thomas E.S. Kelly and Taree Sansbury's extraordinary vision, persistence and leadership. Their belief that regional First Nations communities can be home to world-class contemporary dance has never wavered, and this ensemble is the result of that long-term vision becoming reality.

"It's also deeply significant that this milestone is happening on Tom's Country," said Merindah Donnelly, co-chief executive officer and executive producer, BlakDance.

"Too often we assume major cultural infrastructure can only exist in our capital cities. Karul is showing that regional communities can be powerful centres of artistic leadership."

NAISDA chief executive Kim Walker AM commended Karul's achievements.

"NAISDA would like to congratulate Karul on the establishment of the Karul ensemble," he said.

"It is so wonderful to see the birth of a new ensemble, which gives our students a great opportunity to further their careers after completing their studies at NAISDA.

"This is an important milestone for Karul, its dancers and the sector."

This opportunity is made possible through a combination of a private philanthropic donor and other grant support. The philanthropic contribution is vital - without it, the ensemble would not be able to exist.

Thomas and Taree chose to direct funding to establish the ensemble due to their commitment to First Nations career pathways that the sector has not seen at this scale.

Karul provides First Nations dance artists within the small-medium arts ecology an opportunity to build their careers with the stability experienced at other larger organisations.

The ensemble's first program will include new dance-film work, the development of major new productions and a trans-Tasman collaboration with Atamira Dance Company, a leading Māori contemporary dance company based in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The artists will also present work at Karul's studio on Minjungbal Country in Coolangatta, strengthening connections with the local community and building new audiences for First Nations contemporary dance.

"It's very exciting to be part of the beginning of something, especially surrounded by a company that feels like family," said Olivia Adams of Karul Ensemble.

"We have a rare opportunity to contribute to building the arts scene we want to see, one that celebrates First Nations people and stories."

Olivia Adams (Wulli Wulli) has performed internationally, including in Richard Bell's Tent Embassy at Documenta 15 in Germany, and has her own full-length work in development. (Image: supplied)

Karul Projects Dance Theatre is a First Nations-led contemporary dance-theatre company based on Minjungbal Country on the Gold Coast, founded in 2017 by artistic director Thomas E.S. Kelly (Minjungbal, Wiradjuri, Ni-Vanuatu) and associate artistic director Taree Sansbury (Kaurna, Narrunga, Ngarrindjeri).

The company creates bold, culturally grounded work for stages across Australia and beyond, with works presented at Sydney Opera House, Brisbane Festival, Darwin Festival, and more.

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