“It is the beginning of a new chapter for us”: In conversation with rising star Maddison Paluch

This month, Bangarra will present Illume, its first-ever visual arts collaboration – led by artistic director Frances Rings and Goolarrgon Bard visual artist Darrell Sibosado.

Inspired by the north-western coast of Western Australia, Illume merges dance, music and visual art to explore the cultural and spiritual significance of light for First Nations peoples, and the environmental impact of artificial light pollution.

In a major move, the production also marks Bangarra’s shift to the Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre, and will premiere in June before embarking on a national tour, including a return to Western Australia.

The collaboration also features rising star Maddison Paluch, a proud Wiradjuri woman born and raised on Darug Country. We caught up with Maddison ahead of the run at the Sydney Opera House on Gadigal Country – and to say she’s incredible is an understatement. We can’t wait to watch Illume – see you there?

Can you share a little about your journey to dance? And what was it like doing the residencies in the Torres Strait and North East Arnhem?

My journey to dance started when I was just three years old. I joined the local dance studio in Western Sydney alongside my older sister who was my biggest inspiration. I absolutely fell in love with dance and from a young age trained four to five nights a week. My passion continued to grow even more when I watched Bangarra Dance Theatre at five years old, and at 11 years old I told my mum, “I want to dance for that company when I grow up.” From that point on my passion became a dream and a goal.

In 2011 I was accepted into Newtown High School of the Performing Arts for dance and auditioned for the NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company (a partnership between Bangarra and NSW Arts Unit) where I worked alongside Bangarra alumni for five years. Finishing Year 12 I decided to get a full-time job which happened to be a Production Trainee at Bangarra where I spent 12 months behind the scenes. Again it reignited my passion and drive. With the guidance and support of Stephen Page and Anton, I headed to NAISDA Dance College.

Whilst at NAISDA I was able to attend two cultural residencies to both North East Arnhem Land and Moa Island. This experience was like no other. I was able to connect with community and be completely immersed in culture. Spending these days with the cultural tutors taught me even more about the strength of my culture and how important continuing my connection is for my family.

After graduation, I was lucky enough to gain a scholarship through Bangarra and Sydney Dance Company to attend the Pre Professional Year for 10 weeks and a five-week internship with the company. Later that year (2020) I received a call from Frances Rings and was offered a contract under the Russell Page Graduate Program and continue to live out my dream job today.

Illume marks Bangarra’s first-ever visual arts collaboration – what does it mean to you to be a part of this landmark piece of work?

Illume has been so special to create and to work alongside a highly respected visual artist, Darrell Sibosado. It’s been such a beautiful experience to watch our worlds merge together and become one. Darrell has told us that we dancers are a part of his art and without us it feels as though the rhythm of the work is incomplete, which is felt by us when we step on stage. It almost feels like we are in one of his artworks and experiencing the story in a four-dimensional world.

For me personally, this work has really connected to me as I enjoy painting in my off time from the stage. To hear and see Darrell’s thought process, his creative inspirations and how that connects to his mob through visual arts has been inspiring to hear from such a successful artist. I feel so extremely grateful to have been a part of this collaboration and witness the magic that comes from both Darrell and Fran’s creative minds. It feels as though we enter this beautiful, sacred realm every night on stage and I am so excited to see and hear how this story translates to the world of audiences.

Illume explores the impact of artificial light pollution on First Nations connections to sky Country. How did you and the company approach telling this story through movement?

We had many discussions in the studio about the portrayal of light in this show, how it can be used metaphorically in many ways and the themes that directly correlate in this story. It is strongly represented through Darrell’s artworks which embody cultural significance, lore and symbolism. We use light in a way of healing through fire which represents the regeneration of our mob, Country and sacred knowledge.

However, a section called ‘Light Pollution’ juxtaposes this through the disruption and pain of the Catholic Church’s and colonisation’s impact. Us dancers along with Fran used these themes to cultivate different movement languages, patterns and rhythms that signify the different emotional states of the work. We use our connection to Sky Country as a navigation system, our stories are outlined by the stars and sit within the darkness.

This is another theme we explored through a section called ‘Shadow Spirits’ where the space is filled with constellations and the dancers move through the stage creating a rhythm that fits into the environment that is already created for us, which is explained by Darrell as ‘Ngarradigd Morr’ meaning a proper way of being in the Bard language. The theme of light has heavily influenced this work and the stories shared in and amongst the studio.

What have you learned through Illume about skylore, connection to Country, and your own identity?

Working with Darrell and the Lombadina community has reminded me of the importance of the passing down of knowledge from our Elders, how we care for Country and our reconnection to continue our regeneration as mob. It has allowed me to view dance in a new light through Darrell’s lens and has been a privilege to hear his experience and how it has informed his artwork.

What does it mean to you for Bangarra to move to the Joan Sutherland Theatre?

It is the beginning of a new chapter for us at Bangarra. A massive achievement and an acknowledgement of the legacy behind us. To be representing our communities and mob on the largest stage is so exciting and all of the creatives, dancers and company are counting down the days to the big opening night.

What do you hope audiences take away from this piece?

I hope the audience feels the incredible world that’s been created on the stage, that they feel the impact of this collaboration as one of healing and connection. It highlights both the challenges and the beauty of our mob’s strength and resilience. This work will make people consider how they fit into the rhythm of Country, and how they care for it. It will elevate First Nations people and the rich history and strength of our mob.

Illume will be running at the Sydney Opera House from 4–14 June 2025.