Our Story
Burrundi Theatre for Performing Arts Ltd
Burrundi Theatre for Performing Arts is an Aboriginal/First Nations company grounded in grassroots cultural survival. Guided by Wiradjuri philosophy and Yindyamarra — respect, humility, and honour — we create, develop, and present work that preserves and strengthens cultural knowledge, stories, and artistic practice.
The future walks with us
Founder and Artistic Director Kerry Johnson (Yiradyuri, Gadigal & Yorta Yorta) is a graduate of Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern and NAISDA. Her journey began on Gadigal Country in 1986, grounded in the enduring values of sovereignty and self-determination.
With over three decades in the arts sector, Founder and Artistic Director Kerry Johnson has built a strong foundation as a performer, choreographer, and cultural leader. Her journey has shaped a vision for an authentic, community-led organisation that uses culture and the arts as a pathway for healing, connection, and change.
Through specialised cultural and performing arts programs, we create spaces for learning and connection, nurturing grassroots communities and guiding the next generation of cultural custodians with identity, strength, and belonging. By drawing on cultural systems, we extend our reach across diverse sectors, creating meaningful pathways in training, employment, and creative development, while advocating for strong and authentic cultural representation.
We carry our cultural responsibilities and obligations through every program, event, and enterprise we deliver, with people and community at the centre of all we do.
Our work continues a legacy of cultural strength and advocacy — honouring the voices, stories, and living legacy of our families and communities across New South Wales.
Pictured above
1990 NAISDA First Year Students — Kerry Johnson, Tasmin Petit (deceased), Samuel Barsah, and Shane Matthers — performed as part of the Djumba Women production, choreographed by Artistic Director Raymond Blanco.
Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre-NAISDA
The Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre (AIDT). The St James Hall 153 Bridge Rd Glebe served as the early home of the organisation.
Three Ways Bridge Reserve Griffith NSW
Located at Thee-Ways, this sign acknowledges and honours the significant sites across Griffith, the Riverina, and New South Wales where Aboriginal camps, missions, and reserves were historically established. These places hold deep cultural and historical meaning, reflecting the lived experiences, resilience, and strength of Aboriginal communities, and serve as an important reminder of our shared history.
Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern
Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern is located at its original home at 88 Renwick Street, Redfern. This site of the Black Theatre.
Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern-Redfern
Founded in 1979 by Christine Donnelly, Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern grew from the National Black Theatre and later established its home on Renwick Street. It became a vital space for accredited dance training, community connection, and cultural expression, using performance as a powerful tool for self-determination and change.
Burrundi Theatre for Performing Arts Ltd
Founded in 2020, Artistic Director Kerry Johnson (Yiradyuri, Gadigal & Yorta Yorta) is a graduate of Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern and NAISDA. Her career journey began on Gadigal Country in 1986 — anchored in the enduring values of sovereignty and self-determination. Burrundi Theatre services Regional NSW and Sydney.
Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre - NAISDA
Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre, founded in 1975 by Carole Johnson, was Australia’s first full-time training program for Indigenous dancers. Based in Glebe, it nurtured a generation of leading performers and later evolved into NAISDA Dance College.
Leadership & Governance
Leadership & Governance
Burrundi Theatre for Performing Arts is an Aboriginal / First Nations not-for-profit organisation governed by a dedicated Board of Directors and a registered member of Supply Nation.
Our Board provides strong governance and strategic leadership, supporting the organisation’s vision, growth, and long-term sustainability. The Board is responsible for governance, strategic direction, and organisational oversight, ensuring Burrundi Theatre operates with transparency, accountability, and integrity.
Working alongside the Artistic Director, the Board offers thoughtful guidance in decision-making, ensuring our work remains grounded in cultural integrity, community connection, and responsibility.
Operating with transparency, integrity, and responsibility, with clear governance processes and accountable decision-making aligned to not-for-profit standards.
We are further strengthened by the wisdom and guidance of Elders and cultural advisors, whose leadership ensures our work is respectful, culturally safe, and accountable to the community.
Burrundi Theatre is guided by the knowledge of the Bulangumbaay Murruway Gulaay Yiradyuri Elders Council and the Gadigal Cultural & Arts Centre Advisory Panel. Their guidance grounds our work in culture, community, and Country — ensuring our stories are carried with integrity, and our practice continues in the right way.
Governance Commitments
Our governance approach is grounded in both cultural responsibility and best-practice standards. We are committed to:
Cultural Safety
Community Accountability
Child Safety & Rights
Ethical Governance
Advocacy & Representation
Together, we uphold Yindyamarra — respect, humility, and honour — our governance approach ensures that Burrundi Theatre remains community-led, culturally safe, and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.
Financial Reports
In accordance with ACNC reporting requirements, our financial reports for 2023, 2024, and 2025 are available to view here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DIRECTOR
Kerry Johnson
Kerry Johnson (Yiradyuri, Gadigal & Yorta Yorta) is the Founder and Artistic Director of Burrundi Theatre for Performing Arts, bringing over three decades of experience as a dancer, choreographer, and cultural leader.
A graduate of Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern and NAISDA, Kerry’s practice is deeply connected to the legacy of Black Theatre and grounded in the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and cultural continuity. Her work spans major festivals, productions, and cultural events across Australia and internationally, including Yabun Festival, the Deadly Awards, and the Dreaming Festival, where she has worked alongside leading First Nations creatives.
Kerry is a recognised leader in community-driven arts practice and currently sits on the City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel and the Brand X Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel, contributing to cultural leadership, advocacy, and sector development.
DIRECTOR
Calita Murray
Calita Murray is a respected cultural practitioner, educator, and performer with strong ancestral connections to the Gadigal, Boorooberongal, Kamaygal, and Dharawal peoples, and kinship ties across multiple Nations. Her work is deeply grounded in connection to Country, culture, and community.
A graduate of NAISDA, Aunty Calita has performed at major cultural and community events across Australia and internationally. With over 25 years’ experience in education and cultural practice, she has dedicated her life to teaching and sharing cultural dance, guiding young people to stay connected to culture, identity, and community.
Through her leadership, mentorship, and cultural knowledge, Aunty Calita brings invaluable wisdom to Burrundi Theatre’s governance, supporting intergenerational learning and the continuation of cultural practice.
DIRECTOR
Maya Sheridan-Martinez
Maya Sheridan is an experienced educator and arts practitioner with a strong background in teaching, creative arts, and student wellbeing. She has worked across primary and secondary education, delivering programs in literacy, numeracy, dance, drama, and cultural learning.
Maya brings a deep commitment to inclusive education and culturally responsive practice, with experience supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through creative arts and language programs. Her work focuses on fostering confidence, engagement, and positive learning outcomes for young people.
With extensive experience in curriculum development, community engagement, and mentoring, Maya contributes valuable insight to Burrundi Theatre’s governance, supporting youth development, education pathways, and culturally grounded practice.
ELDERS IN RESIDENCE
Bulangumbaay Murruway Gulaay Yiradyuri Council
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters across New South Wales. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people today. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
We honour the apical ancestors of the Johnson/Naden and Goolagong/Charles Family Clan Groups. Sarah Gibson & Henry Naden, Judy & Major Johnson, James & Elizabeth Charles, Patricia & Thomas Goolagong — whose legacy grounds us in truth, culture, and sovereignty.
The BMG Yiradyuri Elders Council represents the sovereign interests of two kinship groups connected to Three Ways Bridge Reserve and the broader Yiradyuri Nation. Rooted in our unbroken cultural authority as Yiradyuri Traditional Owners, we affirm that sovereignty over our lands, waters, skies, and sacred sites has never been ceded.
We are a self-determined, First Nations-led organisation established to uphold the responsibilities and obligations handed down by our Elders. Our purpose is to protect, govern, and lead on behalf of our people — with a clear mandate to act in the best interests of our families, communities, and Country.
Bulangumbaay Murruway Gulaay Yiradyuri Council-Three Ways Bridge Reserve Griffith NSW
Pictured above: Gloria Goolagong, Beverley Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Josephine Charles & Douglas Johnson.