Patrick Gunasekera (he/him) is a theatre-maker, dancer-choreographer, writer, musician, and producer of Sri Lankan migrant heritage, living on Noongar Boodjar. His theatre, dance and award-winning written works explore the nature of violence, agency, solidarity and transformation in fractured communities, offering tender and self-defined narratives of intersectional cultural experiences. As an actor, dancer, pianist and singer, his performance practices seek to understand the embodied and communal knowledges of marginalised people, and recover emotional integrity in policed bodies.

Patrick grew up dancing through studios and community theatre in Mandjoogoordap (Mandurah), and has been choreographing since 2014 using ritual performance methodologies, and since 2023 developing ballet works through a narrative theatre lens. He also has a public improvising dance practice which began in 2014, informed by twentieth-century art movements and non-violent direct action. He developed a professional dance practice through West Australian Ballet and STRUT Dance classes, and was a member of the WA Youth Theatre Company 2018 Ensemble.

His previous works include “After Lili” (creator/pianist/composer, Audible Edge Festival 2024), “Risk pas de deux” (choreographer/dancer/designer, The Blue Room Theatre MOVES 2024), “recital.” (deviser/performer, perhaps. a theatre company 2023 & 2024), “On Silence (After John Cage)” (choreographer/dancer, Outcome Unknown 2023), and “Unapologetic” (deviser/actor/co-producer, commissioned for People with Disabilities WA Inaugural State Conference 2020).