Deborah Brown
Deborah is a dancer, choreographer and director. She was a Senior Artist and choreographer for Bangarra Dance Theatre for 15 years.
During her time there, she was awarded the 2013 Helpmann Award for Best Female Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production, Terrain. That same year, she was named one of Arts Queensland’s Culture Champion’s for her contribution to the Queensland Arts and Culture sector, as well as, making her choreographic and directorial debut at Bangarra creating a short dance film titled dive, leading her to co-create IBIS as part of the Lore national season in 2015. Her career highlights with Bangarra were Returning to Country – including Mer Island and Yirrkala – performing at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s (BAM) Harvey Theatre and partnering with The Australian Ballet at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
She recently directed the critically acclaimed Blue by Thomas Weatherall at Belvoir St Theatre as part of The Sydney Festival as well as choreograph for La Boite and Sydney Theatre Company’s collaboration Poison of Polygamy directed by Courtney Stewart. Deborah has also choreographed independently, The Wave for Project Animo’s inaugural season, hide for Campbelltown Arts Centre and Spinifex Gum for Marliya of Gondwana Choirs. In 2019, she was Associate Director on Winyanboga Yurringa and participated in Belvoir’s Artists At Work in 2020. She has been Assistant Director for STC for The Long Forgotten Dream, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and Wonnangatta.
Deborah received her Masters in Screen Directing from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS). Her capstone project, Bala, has made the official selection for various film festivals including ImagineNATIVE Film Festival, Toronto, Flickerfest, Sydney and the Brisbane International Film Festival. Bala is currently screening on ABC iView. She recently directed for NITV’S Children’s Series, Barrumbi Kids, which can be seen both on Netflix and SBS On Demand.
Deborah Brown is not only an esteemed former Senior Artist of the world renowned Bangarra Dance Theatre, but a sought after choreographer, actor, and director. Her vast knowledge across a broad array of disciplines makes her masterclasses at this year’s Repertoire Intensive an absolute must. Deborah has precious insights as both a dancer and choreographer and will be sharing some of her own choreography with Queensland dancers from I.B.I.S and Project Animos, Waves. I cannot wait for dancers to share this beautiful experience and learn from such a treasured artist – Clare Morehen, BTQ Artistic Director
The initial concept for the work I.B.I.S came from Bangarra’s Artistic Director Stephen Page. Stephen invited senior artists, Deborah Brown and Waangenga Blanco to create a new work that focused on Torres Strait Island culture – both traditional and contemporary.
We wanted to create a work that puts a smile on the face and gives you an insight into life on the islands – a place where despite challenges of displacement and climate change, the culture remains strong and the people optimistic. — Deborah Brown & Waangenga Blanco, Choreographers, I.B.I.S, 2015