Bangarra Welcomes Stellar New Dancers for 2025

Australia’s premier Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, has announced the addition of three exceptional new dancers to its ensemble for 2025.

Tamara Bouman, Edan Porter, and Zeak Tass will join the company as full-time members, bringing a wealth of talent, cultural heritage, and diverse artistic experiences to the stage.The trio was selected from over 30 applicants following auditions held in September 2024. Edan Porter and Zeak Tass commenced their roles in January and will debut with Bangarra during the regional tour of The Light Inside, visiting Wollongong, Newcastle, and Adelaide in February and March. Tamara Bouman will join the company in March for the national tour of Illume.

Artistic Director Frances Rings expressed her excitement about the new additions, stating, “I am delighted to announce that we are growing the Bangarra community in 2025 with the addition of three incredibly talented dancers—Tamara, Edan, and Zeak. The trio bring a diverse set of skills and experience to the table, and I can’t wait to share their artistry with audiences across the country.”

Meet the New Dancers

Tamara Bouman
A proud Biripi woman from the mid-New South Wales Coast, 26-year-old Tamara Bouman is a versatile contemporary dance artist. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts, her practice spans ballet, performance art, children’s theatre, circus, puppeteering, and physical theatre. Bouman’s career highlights include performing in The Ring Cycle with Dance North and Opera Australia, joining Bangarra’s Horizon season at the Sydney Opera House, and making her international touring debut with THAW by Legs on the Wall.

Edan Porter
A Gomeroi man from North-West NSW, Edan Porter began his dance journey at age 7, learning Traditional Aboriginal dance from his Elders on Country. He trained professionally at NAISDA Dance College, graduating in 2019. Porter has worked with renowned companies and creatives, including Jacob Boehme, Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Marrugeku, Opera Australia, and Circa. His international experience includes residencies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Canada.

Zeak Tass
A proud South Sea Islander and Yuwibara man from Mackay, Zeak Tass began dancing at age 12, training in Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, and Ballet. He furthered his studies at the National College of Dance, earning a Diploma in Elite Performance. Tass’s career highlights include performing at Disneyland Paris, dancing as a soloist at the Moulin Rouge, and founding the Contemporary Ballet Youth Company Z in North Queensland.

A Bright Future for Bangarra

The addition of Bouman, Porter, and Tass underscores Bangarra’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing the talents of First Nations artists. Their unique backgrounds and artistic prowess will undoubtedly enrich the company’s storytelling and cultural expression.Audiences can look forward to seeing the trio in action during Bangarra’s 2025 tours. The Light Inside will visit Wollongong, Newcastle, and Adelaide, while Illume will embark on a national tour.

For more information about Bangarra Dance Theatre and its dancers, visit the Bangarra website.