The Karul Projects' dance show is called SILENCE and its message is loud and clear.

"I wanted to add to the political conversation in Australia, to add Karul’s voice to an ongoing call for Treaty," writer and choreographer Thomas E.S. Kelly said.

Thomas is a proud Minjungbal-Yugambeh, Wiradjuri and Ni-Vanuatu man and the artistic director at Karul Projects, a First Nations contemporary dance company based on the Gold Coast. He spent four years writing and choreographing SILENCE.

With the YES23 campaign gathering strength in Wollongong, Thomas's work is being promoted as a timely commentary on Australian nationhood, exploring what more than 250 years of denial of meaningful listening to First Nations people has done to the psyche of the people and land.

SILENCE opens at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre tonight, August 9. Aunty Joyce Donovan will give a Welcome to Country, to be followed by a Smoking Ceremony performed by Ivan Morris with the Yidiki (Dideridoo) from 7pm in the Arts Precinct in Wollongong.

Thanks to Thomas for taking the time to answer our questions.

Where did you grow up and what inspired your love of dance?

I grew up doing traditional dance, on the Tweed Coast/Gold Coast. I put my own cultural elements into the contemporary work I now make. 

I grew up playing footy and aspiring to go into acting, then I pivoted and went to study at NAISDA Dance College and never looked back. I graduated and danced for other people before starting my own company, Karul Projects (with my partner Taree Sansbury) in 2017. 

Dancing and storytelling is in my history, not just my parents and grandparents but my people for tens of thousands of years. That’s why I love it.

What have you loved most about your career so far?

Being a young company, that has been able to take our largest work to date on tour – a regional Queensland [tour] in 2022 and now nationally over 2023.

I started Karul because as a First Nations artist, I didn't see many companies telling the stories of my people, there weren't enough Blak companies telling Blak stories. When Taree and I left NAISDA, we performed with many different companies but there wasn't an opportunity with other Blak dance artists so we made our own. As well as bringing up other young ones to not only perform but also make their own work or their own companies.

What can audiences expect to see, hear and feel at SILENCE?

SILENCE is not silent. We are breaking the silence. Even when you think the conversation is not being spoken about, people are still fighting for and talking about these issues for First Nations people.

We have a full drum kit and rock star drummer on stage, seven performers – it is loud, powerful, it's got humour but also quiet, tender moments to connect to. The power in the space in the theatre is amplified on this tour with an all-First Nations cast. 

What do you hope people will take away from a performance?

I spent four years creating this work because I wanted to add to the political conversation in Australia, to add Karul’s voice to an ongoing call for Treaty.

Conversations that have been had for 20, 30, 40 years. So SILENCE is still just as relevant today as it was when the first ships arrived 253 years ago. We still don't have an agreement with the government. We're still the only Commonwealth country that has never had one. 

We hope audiences will start their own conversations, bringing Treaty to the forefront of their discussions. Creating a world that showcases our First Nations stories, songs and strength.

SILENCE will be at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre's Bruce Gordon Theatre from August 9 to Saturday, August 12. The show is for ages 12+, runs for an hour, tickets from $39, book here