The Key Performers

Bud Kelly

Bud was born and raised in Newcastle, began dancing at the age of 4 years old with father Ray Kelly and the Awabakal dance group.

Introduced to acting from a young age it has been Bud's driving passion to perform and entertain. With a unique style of theatre, dance Bud captivates his audience and takes them on an energetic, interactive and personal journey into his connection with his people and the land.

Australian Performances:

  • Sydney Opera House.
  • Sydney Powerhouse Museum.
  • Cultural Stomp {Newcastle}
  • School Institutions throughout metro and rural N.S.W.
  • Brisbane and Adelaide Arts Festival
  • Western Australian Arts Festival

International Performances:

  • Kenya
  • Uganda
  • Tanzania
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Dubai

Bud is also an established underground Rap and Hip Hop artist performing under the title of free.b. His social and political message is one of power, humanity and inspiration. free.b has performed and operated workshops throughout New Zealand and Australia.

In 2006 Bud became the proud Father of Daughter Aliah Jade Kelly, who is now the youngest performer of the Burrgati Performance Group.


Ray Kelly

Ray Kelly has a long and distinguished career in Aboriginal advancement and arts.

"For the past 25 years I have dedicated my working career to Indigenous Community enhancement at Regional, State and National levels, I am resolute in my belief that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have an inherent right to maintain, preserve and manage all aspects of our unique cultures, to do this effectively we must commit to an ongoing process of engagement, communication and negotiation with our fellow Australians for all aspects of our future planning and development of our country."

In his artistic endeavours

  • Chairperson Ngoroe-kah Aboriginal Theatre and Performing Arts Company
  • Foundation member of the Awabakal Traditional Dance Group established 1980
  • Member Buragudini Aboriginal performance Company.
  • Writer\performer Birabahn Festival Newcastle University
  • Received a CONDA (Community of Newcastle Dramatic Arts Award) for the best new play with the first production of ‘Get Up and Dance’ 1985
  • The first and only Indigenous playwright to have had their work produced by the Sydney Theatre Company. ‘Somewhere in the Darkness’
  • ‘Somewhere in the Darkness’ selected for performance for the Oceania Indigenous Playwrights Conference in New Zealand. 1985
  • Artistic Director Awabakal Community Awards
  • Writer/researcher Black Heart Productions to communities in the North West of New South Wales ‘ Beyond the Gate ‘showcased Belvior Theatre Surry Hills Sydney 1984
  • Co-convenor NSW Aboriginal ‘Corroboree ‘Newcastle Year of the Indigenous Person. 1988
  • Performance leader and Artistic Director of ‘Corroboree’ Newcastle University 199O
  • Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University Of Newcastle

Matt Henry

information to come

 

 

  • Entertainment Performances
  • Education
  • The Key Performers