Guanajuato and Mexico City dates follow Venice performances

Bangarra Dance Theatre will take FuturesPast to Mexico in September and October, with the international premiere set for the 54th Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato.

After Guanajuato, the company will perform at the Teatro Julio Castillo of the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura, or INBAL, in Mexico City.

This Mexico tour builds on Bangarra’s three-decade history of international touring. It also aims to forge new cultural exchange links with First Nations artists and cultural institutions across Latin America.

Mirning woman Frances Rings, Bangarra’s Artistic Director and Co-CEO, drew FuturesPast from her choreographic career. The work reflects the spirit, artistry and strength that have shaped Bangarra for 37 years.

Structured in three acts, FuturesPast moves from the dawn of time through a cycle of belonging across generations. Those acts are Old World, People and Country.

Across the three parts, the production traces the impacts that have challenged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It also honours the resilience that has shaped survival.

The Mexico performances will strengthen cultural understanding and expand Bangarra’s global First Nations creative network. As a result, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices will feature more strongly in international conversations across cultures and borders.

La Biennale di Venezia and Golden Lion

Before Mexico, Bangarra will perform Terrain at La Biennale di Venezia in July.

Biennale Danza 2026 has awarded Bangarra the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Dance. That makes Bangarra the first Australians and the first company to receive the honour since the award began.

Meanwhile, the Venice appearance will mark the company’s global impact over 37 years. Following those July performances, Bangarra will head to Mexico for its September and October season.

Creative Australia assisted the project through the Australian Government. Support also came through the Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants programme.

Australia’s pre-eminent First Nations performing arts company will appear at a major festival in Guanajuato and at a national arts venue in Mexico City. Those dates extend a 2026 international run that starts in Venice and continues in Latin America.