Locale | STRUT Dance

Three dance projects for the community, in the community, by the community.

Locale brought the tried and tested methodologies of leading regional arts practitioner and award-winning WA choreographer Annette Carmichael to Boorloo. This time, STRUT stepped out of the CBD and brought dance to local communities.

In 2025, three artists developed unique projects in their areas of habitation: Stirling, Belmont and Fremantle. Working alongside local collaborators who were generally not practicing artists, and mentored by Annette, each artist led workshops and developed a dance performance that was presented in their locale.

The projects

Mudh – Sonya Stephen

Mudh (Moo-th) meaning ‘Home’ in the language of Kala Lagaw Ya - Mabuyaagi dialect of the Western cluster of the Torres Strait Islands, which is situated in the far north part of Queensland, Australia. A community dance project that created a space for women from all backgrounds to reconnect with themselves, and to tell their stories about what makes their home now and the journey of overcoming fear and displacement to create a sense of belonging.

River Road – Giorgia Schijf

A community dance project that involved women and children aged between 10-66 years of age and celebrated female strength, addressed issues like climate care and hope, and facilitated a space to gather through dance and connect with likeminded people in the local community.

Home Is Where The Heart Is – Mackenzie Brown

A pilot program, creative research and consultation on the praxis of collaboration with the community surrounding the St Patrick’s Community Support Centre, who provide community housing and specialist support services for people facing homelessness.

The artists

Sonya Stephen

Giorgia Schijf

Mackenzie Brown

STRUT’s Locale Program was supported by Minderoo Foundation, the WA Government, the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body and STRUT Movers who are our generous and supportive donors.