Thomas E.S. Kelly

Co-Artistic Director, Karul Projects

Thomas is a proud Minjungbal-Yugambeh, Wiradjuri, Ni-Vanuatu man.

Thomas graduated in 2012 from NAISDA Dance College and has since worked with Vicki Van Hout, Shaun Parker and Company, Branch Nebula, ERTH, Chunky Move, Dancenorth, The FARM, Tasdance, Outer Urban Projects, GUTS and Urban Theatre Projects.

His choreographic credits include his Green Room Award winning work [MIS]CONCEIVE, CO_EX_EN and SILENCE. VESSEL for Outer Urban Projects, MASS for Chunky Move, Junjeiri Ballun – Gurul Gaureima for Tasdance and Communal Table for Dancenorth.

Thomas creates work that explores high intensity physical works stemming from a cultural practice fused with contemporary, which incorporates voice and physical percussion. Creating work that ebbs and flows whilst mimicking nature. Thomas creates work that reveals subject matters that offers an opportunity to learn and develop. Remembering the past to better understand the present so we can move forward into the future.

In 2017 Thomas co-created Karul Projects. A new company led by new First Nation voices telling new stories. Karul Projects is situated in South East Qld and Northern NSW.

Thomas is the 2018 Dreaming Award Recipient, a 2019 American Australian Association Alumni and the 2020 Mcknight Institute International Choreographer Fellow.

For more information about Thomas and the projects he is working on and go to www.thomaseskelly.com or www.karulprojects.com