Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai playwright Andrea James has been announced as ILBIJERRI Theatre Company's new artistic director and co-CEO, taking over from renowned actress Rachael Maza after nearly twenty years.
Ms James said she was honoured to step into the role for an organisation she'd watch grow for decades.
"I remember ILBIJERRI when it used to be a little room in the Aboriginal Housing Board," she said.
"This is a company that is testament to the power of community and its that spirit and community that speaks to this company to this very day."
Founded in Naarm Melbourne in 1991, ILBIJERRI is the longest established Indigenous theatre company in Australia.
If we've ever needed a company that celebrates boldness, Blackness and brilliance ... it is now
Ilbijerri is a Woiwurrung word that means "Coming together for Ceremony".
Ms James said she was thrilled to take over the reigns of such a highly respected theatre company, and emphasised the importance of Aboriginal storytelling and theatre in bringing people together.
"In these very troubling times if we've ever needed a company that celebrates boldness, Blackness and brilliance in all its full power it is now," she said.
"There's some people in our society that don't want Welcomes to Country, that don't want us to celebrate who we are, and that's why its really important for companies like us to be in existence."
"Our stories are actually the life blood of this country, that cannot be denied and should never be disrespected."
Ms James is a renowned director, producer and playwright and has worked for several major theatre companies - including the Melbourne Theatre Company.
Some of her more recent works include Sunshine Super Girl, about Wiradjuri tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley, and Big Name, No Blankets, about the NT rock group Warumpi Band.
Outgoing artistic director honoured
Ms James also paid tribute to Rachael Maza, the woman who has led the company as artistic director and co-CEO for the past 18 years.
A Yidinji, Meriam and Dutch woman, Ms Maza said she felt it was the right time to step down from her role.
"I'm just so humbled and so deeply excited for the future of this company, and more importantly for the stories that get told about this country under the new leadership of Andrea James," Ms Maza said.
Andrea James (left) has directed and written plays for the Melbourne Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre Company, and Urban Theatre Projects.
The daughter of actor and activist Bob Maza, she also reflected on the legacy of those before her.
"I come from such a long legacy of Black theatre makers, with my father - along with Uncle Jack [Charles] - starting the very first Black theatre companies and I continued to pick up the baton and run with it," she said.
"Basically that's all we do as Black theatre makers, you pick up the baton and do your bit.
"I want to acknowledge all those people who founded the company ... the blood sweat and tears of those artists and community members who believed staunchly in the importance of being able to tell our stories our way for our mob."
Ms Maza also acknowledged the work of First Nations storytellers, particularly after the failed Voice to Parliament referendum in 2023.
"The referendum was such a disaster, and speaks so loudly to the work that's still to be done," she said.
"So I just want to shout out and acknowledge the role that storytellers and artists play in continuing to drive those conversations that still need to be had."
