Tamara Bouman, Edan Porter, and Zeak Tass Join BANGARRA in 2025

Australia’s acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre is welcoming three new ensemble members in 2025, and the dance world couldn’t be more excited. Tamara Bouman, Edan Porter, and Zeak Tass—all emerging talents with rich, diverse experiences—are stepping into full-time positions with this trailblazing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts company. From the busy mid-New South Wales Coast to Mackay in North Queensland, these three artists epitomise the breadth of stories, backgrounds, and influences that make Bangarra an enduring national treasure. When Artistic Director Frances Rings announced their appointments, she emphasised the dynamic energy each dancer will bring to the company. If you’re keen on seeing the future of Australian contemporary dance, take note: 2025 might just be one of Bangarra’s most vibrant years yet.

A New Chapter For Bangarra Dance Theatre

Founded in 1989, Bangarra Dance Theatre has spent over three decades carving out an unrivalled position in the Australian arts scene. The company’s work is known for its fusion of contemporary movement with Indigenous cultural narratives—giving voice to stories that have often been silenced or overlooked in mainstream theatre. This distinctive artistic identity is something that resonates far beyond the stage: Bangarra is equally lauded for its dedication to mentorship, cultural connections, and social impact. According to various arts and tourism reports, Bangarra’s tours consistently draw strong audiences both domestically and internationally, underscoring a worldwide thirst for its unique brand of storytelling.

When it comes to new artists, Bangarra doesn’t simply hire for talent alone. Rather, the company looks for dancers whose personal journeys align with Bangarra’s ethos, emphasising community engagement, cultural respect, and artistic expression as vehicles for social change. The most recent auditions in September reflect this holistic approach—over 30 dancers threw their hats in the ring, each eager to be part of a dance collective that’s more than a performance troupe: it’s a cultural institution.

Meet The New Ensemble Members

Tamara Bouman: From Ballet To Puppetry

A proud descendant of the Biripi Peoples of the mid-New South Wales Coast, Tamara Bouman has carved out an impressive dance career spanning everything from performance art to physical theatre. She’s only 26, but her CV includes a roll-call of stage credits that some dancers twice her age would envy. After studying at the Victorian College of the Arts, she explored a multitude of genres—ballet, circus, contact improvisation, and more. Highlights include performing in The Ring Cycle with Dance North and Opera Australia, gracing the stage in Bangarra’s Horizon at the Sydney Opera House, and travelling overseas for an international tour with THAW by Legs on the Wall.

For Bouman, who joins Bangarra in March for the national tour of ILLUME, the opportunity seems like a homecoming. She’s already had a taste of Bangarra’s world while working with them, and her artistic values align with the company’s mission to celebrate and evolve Indigenous storytelling. Audiences can expect her to bring a fluid versatility—think theatrical flair mixed with contemporary rigour. At Bangarra, Bouman will be part of a team known for pushing boundaries, so her cross-disciplinary background could spark thrilling new directions in movement and production design.

Edan Porter: A Tradition Of Storytelling

The path to professional dance can look different for every artist, and Edan Porter’s experience exemplifies that diversity. A proud Gomeroi man, he began dancing at the tender age of 7, absorbing Traditional Aboriginal dance from Elders in North-West New South Wales. This early immersion in cultural dance forms a crucial anchor for him—one that resonates seamlessly with Bangarra’s ethos of honouring Indigenous heritage through art.

Professionally trained at NAISDA Dance College, Porter graduated in 2019 and has since been busy amassing experience with top-tier companies and artists: from Marrugeku to Opera Australia, Sydney Dance Company to the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Canada. That kind of exposure to various global dance and theatrical styles can only enrich what he brings to Bangarra. Given that he’s already started performing with the company on the 2025 regional tour of THE LIGHT INSIDE, early feedback suggests he’s sliding into the ensemble with remarkable ease. Watching him integrate Gomeroi traditions into Bangarra’s unique aesthetic might be one of the most anticipated aspects of the coming season.

Zeak Tass: From Moulin Rouge To Mackay’s North Queensland

Zeak Tass hails from Mackay, proud of both his South Sea Islander and Yuwibara heritage. While his journey started in mainstream dance forms—Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, and Ballet—his subsequent path might surprise you. A Diploma in Elite Performance at the National College of Dance gave him the foundation to pursue gigs across Europe, including dancing at Disneyland Paris and performing as a soloist at the Moulin Rouge. He even founded his own Contemporary Ballet Youth Company in North Queensland, reflecting a penchant for leadership and choreographic ambition.

For Tass, returning to Australia to join Bangarra in 2025 merges two loves: the refined discipline of ballet and jazz with the cultural depth of Indigenous storytelling. Like Porter, he jumped straight into a regional tour, set to perform in THE LIGHT INSIDE in Wollongong, Newcastle, and Adelaide. How will his background in international showmanship marry with Bangarra’s earthy, narrative-driven repertoire? The result is likely to be a spectacle—bold, technically sharp, yet deeply grounded in cultural identity.

The 2025 Tours: THE LIGHT INSIDE And ILLUME

Bangarra’s 2025 programme offers several touchpoints for dance enthusiasts. First up, THE LIGHT INSIDE will embark on a regional tour in February and March, hitting Wollongong, Newcastle, and Adelaide. It’s the perfect chance to see Porter and Tass make their official debut under Bangarra’s spotlight. If you’re interested in witnessing these new members cut their teeth on stage, these early performances are not to be missed.

Then there’s ILLUME, a national tour set to launch later in the year, and that’s where Bouman steps into the mix. Though details about ILLUME remain somewhat guarded, it’s safe to assume the production will continue Bangarra’s tradition of merging contemporary dance with centuries-old cultural narratives. Historically, Bangarra’s tours attract a mix of local fans, national audiences, and, increasingly, international visitors. So if you’ve been scouting for an opportunity to catch some of the best in Australian theatre and dance—particularly if you’re overseas—this might be the perfect impetus to plan a cultural trip.

A Legacy Of Nurturing Talent

Since its inception, Bangarra has been a shining example of how Australian theatre can—and should—embrace inclusivity. The organisation’s structure creates a pipeline for emerging Indigenous dancers to refine their skills, connect with cultural advisors, and channel ancestral knowledge into contemporary performance. The result is a repertoire that’s as innovative as it is respectful, forging a lineage that resonates strongly with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences.

According to various arts industry reports, Bangarra’s approach has had tangible impacts on audience development. People who may not typically attend dance performances find themselves drawn to the company’s authenticity, storytelling power, and the sense of community that pervades each show. This audience diversity often translates to robust box office returns, enabling Bangarra to tour extensively. The new additions—Bouman, Porter, and Tass—will likely help expand that reach even further, especially among younger demographics who admire the dancers’ personal journeys.

Connecting Elders And Artists

One aspect that sets Bangarra apart from many other contemporary dance companies—even on a global scale—is its deep integration with Indigenous Elders and community knowledge holders. When performers like Porter speak about learning Traditional Aboriginal dance “on Country,” it underscores that these movements are not merely aesthetic choices: they’re cultural transmissions. For dancers who enter the Bangarra fold, there’s an ongoing dialogue between Elders, choreographers, and dancers to ensure respectful and accurate portrayals of stories and practices. This results in choreographies that maintain an unbroken link between past and present—an attribute that resonates strongly on an emotional level, both for the performers and for the audiences watching them.

Within the realm of Australian theatre, the notion of actively involving Elders in creative development is increasingly regarded as best practice for works that explore or incorporate Indigenous themes. It ensures that the stories told on stage remain truthful to the communities from which they originate. As the new members settle in, they will no doubt be part of these collaborative processes, contributing their own experiences while learning from cultural custodians.

Dancing Toward The Future

Between the enthralling tours lined up for 2025 and the infusion of fresh talents, Bangarra Dance Theatre finds itself at an exciting juncture. Under Frances Rings’ artistic leadership, the company continues to evolve while retaining the core values that have made it a national icon. Bouman, Porter, and Tass bring different training backgrounds and personal narratives to the table, each adding new threads to an already rich tapestry of artistic expression.

Ultimately, the arrival of Tamara Bouman, Edan Porter, and Zeak Tass signals more than just a cast change; it represents the dynamic growth of a company dedicated to reflecting Indigenous cultures in contemporary dance. Their presence on stage offers a window into Australia’s diverse artistic talent, bridging generational knowledge with fresh creative impulses. If you’ve ever thought about delving into Bangarra’s extraordinary fusion of tradition and innovation, 2025 promises to be a prime year to experience the magic—on stage and in the hearts of those who witness it. So keep an eye on tour schedules, book your tickets, and prepare to be moved by the new faces lighting up Australia’s most inspiring dance ensemble.