Rachael Maza – Australia Council Award for Theatre

Rachael Maza is a Yidinji and Meriam woman and the current Artistic Director for ILBIJERRI Theatre Company (2008 – present). Both born into a movement and carving her own legacy, Rachael stands strong for First Nations theatre making as a powerful tool for social justice and brings a wealth of acting, directing, dramaturgical experience and profile to black theatre in Australia. During her time as Artistic Director she has furthered lbijerri’s vision of creating Indigenous theatre that is both universal and uniquely Indigenous in its themes, resonating with local, national and international audiences.

As a performer, Rachael has contributed to several milestone productions, including Radiance for Belvoir St Theatre, The Aboriginal Protesters (directed by Noel Tovey), The Dreamers (written by Jack Davis and directed by Wesley Enoch), The Sapphires for MTC, Playbox Theatre & Belvoir St Theatre, and Beautiful One Day with Ilbijerri Theatre & Version 1.0 as a co-devisor and performer.

Rachael’s directing credits are equally impressive, including Stolen (Ilbijerri Theatre): Chopped Liver (Ilbijerri); YANDY (Black Swan Theatre Co); SHOW US YOUR TIDDA’s (Melbourne Workers Theatre); Jack Charles V the Crown (Ilbijerri); FOLEY (Ilbijerri); Which Way Home (Ilbijerri) and My URRWAI (Performing Lines/Belvoir/Ilbijerri).

Rachael contributes to arts leadership in her many advisory roles, and currently sits on the Board of ACMI, as well as the Circus OZ Indigenous Advisory Panel and Australian Opera’s Indigenous Advisory panel. She has previously been a panellist for the Balnaves Indigenous Playwrights Award and is currently on the Greenroom Award ‘Theatre Company’ Panel.