Bangarra Dance Theatre Australia Limited

ABN 96 003 814 006

Pier 4/5 Hickson Road,
Walsh Bay, NSW, 2000
Australia

web: www.bangarra.com.au

Ph: 61 2 9251 5333
Fax: 61 2 9251 5266

email:
bangarra@bangarra.com.au

MEDIA RELEASE 4TH JUNE, 2003 - 137 /2003

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES CONTACT
EMMA COLLISON, Emma Collison Publicity
TEL 02 9699 5199 or 0418 584 795, mmsemmac@bigpond.net.au

Telstra and Bangarra Dance Theatre launch CD ROM

To coincide with Bangarra Dance Theatre's new production Bush, Telstra and Bangarra Dance Theatre today announced the release of a CD ROM rich with video clips of dance performances and detailed study notes for Australian primary and high school teachers of dance, performance and Aboriginal studies.

Bangarra Artistic Director, Stephen Page, said Bangarra's principal sponsor Telstra had funded the CD ROM enabling Bangarra to use new technology to increase the community's access to Indigenous culture and art.

"Telstra has helped us communicate Bangarra's work to a wide range of audiences, particularly people in communities who may not see one of Bangarra's main stage city performances," he said.

The CD ROM is an educational tool, which gives users a greater understanding of Bangarra and its work. Each section contains helpful study questions and topics including information about Bangarra productions - Walkabout, Corroboree, Skin - and the company's involvement in the Awakening section of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

The CD ROM contains extensive details about each production including notes from choreographers, set designers and composers as well as suggested study topics. Users also have the ability to play a wide selection of musical tracks used in the productions while looking through the CD ROM.
Telstra Group Managing Director Consumer and Marketing, Ted Pretty, said Telstra was committed to increasing the Australian community's access to the arts.

"By supporting this important initiative, we are helping Bangarra in its efforts to increase community understanding and respect for Indigenous culture," Mr Pretty said.

"The use of communication technologies has enabled greater access to a wider theatre of information than ever before, especially for those people living in rural and remote areas."

The CD ROM contains images and audiovisual footage of persons now deceased so care should be taken when viewied by members of the Indigenous community.

Bangarra's CD ROM is not for sale - copies are available for educational institutions and Indigenous organisations only on request. Requests should be made by contacting Sonia Tsai at Bangarra Dance Theatre on 02 9251 5333 or faxing a request on letterhead to 02 9251 5266.

Telstra Media Contact:
Chris Newlan 0427 263 851

Bangarra Contact:
Clare McGregor - Marketing and Communications Manager
Pier 4/5, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, Sydney 2000
Direct: 61 2 9258 5103, Switch: 61 2 9251 5333, Fax: 61 2 9251 5266
EMAIL: clare@bangarra.com.au
http://www.bangarra.com.au

Telstra's national media inquiry line is 13 1639 and the Telstra Newsroom is located at: www.telstra.com.au/newsroom.