Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Arts

Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts Company is a theatre troupe centered in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was founded as an outlet for aboriginal Australians to perform folk tales and stories that are important to their cultural traditions. They also perform modern stories about the life of the present-day aboriginals. This company was founded in 1993 and is a great way for aboriginal Australian aspiring theatre actors or playwrights to get their start. Through Kooemba Jdarra, these young artists are able to reveal the truth of their history, legends, culture, and contributions, and express themselves with honesty and openness.

One of the examples of their recent performances is The Mack, a piece written by Sam Watson. This stage performance depicts an aboriginal family in turmoil, and weaves elements of aboriginal spirituality and beliefs, including evil spirits, into the story. The audience is not only able to see the way that aboriginals struggle in daily life but also learn about how their mythology plays an important role in their identity.

Another example of one of their performances is Whispers of This Wik Woman, based on the book written by Fiona Doyle. The play tells the story of a woman who feels caught between aboriginal culture and white Australian culture.