Ilbijerri Theatre Company

ILBIJERRI is one of Australia’s leading theatre companies creating innovative works by First Nations artists. The longest established First Nations theatre company in Australia, ILBIJERRI creates, presents and tours powerful and engaging theatre by First Nations artists that gives voice to First Nations Cultures.

ILBIJERRI is one of Australia’s leading theatre companies creating innovative works by First Nations artists. The longest established First Nations theatre company in Australia, ILBIJERRI creates, presents and tours powerful and engaging theatre by First Nations artists that gives voice to First Nations Cultures.

In 2024, The Balnaves Foundation supported IBIJERRI to redevelop and adapt their rock’n’roll mainstage show; Big Name, No Blankets to a condensed, 1-hour production which toured the prison system in the Northern Territory and Victoria.

The Prison Tour performances were accompanied by yarning circles, providing a marked impact on struggling First Nations inmates’ wellbeing and sense of connection, which was reflected in their ebullient feedback. The band and performers were almost exclusively Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, offering mentoring and attachment opportunities and addressing the skill shortage in the First Nations performing arts sector.

Big Name, No Blankets  celebrates the phenomenal journey and impact of Australian music icons, Warumpi Band, inspired by stories from founding member Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher. This live show provided inmates with an empowering and inclusive theatre experience they may otherwise not have had access to. The production encouragesaudience members to sing and participate in a generous and enjoyable celebration of Aboriginal cultures and Australian music – perfect for engaging with incarcerated First People, who make-up 84% of people incarcerated in Northern Territory prisons.