Bangarra Dance Theatre has announced that one of its most loved and recognised dancers, Patrick Thaiday, will perform with the company for the last time on April 25 this year. Patrick’s final performance with Bangarra will be in Stephen Page’s Warumuk-in the dark night at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Australian Ballet’s Infinity Program.
Patrick’s retirement comes as he celebrates a long and successful decade with Bangarra. Since joining Bangarra in 2002, Patrick’s face has become synonymous with the company and critics and audiences alike have lauded him for his extraordinary featured performances across Bangarra’s repertoire.
Bangarra’s artistic director Stephen Page said: "Patrick has been a core member of the company for the past ten years and his work deserves to be celebrated. His passion for and commitment to Indigenous dance has been a driving force within the company and he is a point of inspiration for the younger dancers. I hope that after a well deserved break Patrick will return to Bangarra in a different role.”
Patrick was born in Biloela, Queensland and grew up in Mackay - his parents come from Iama and Erub in the Torres Strait Islands. He believes that his in-built desire to dance is derived from his parents' ancestors who originated from Lifu, South Sea Islands and Jamaica.