Blakademia

Behind the walls of the tower of higher education scuttle the creepy crawlies. Up the exterior grow the vines, slowly and organically finding footing in the grout. And beneath the foundations the whole edifice rests upon the living earth and the embodied human knowledge systems of our Ancestors.

Blakademia invites you into an intimate, powerful encounter with Truth-telling.

Developed by Wailwan scholar Dr Blayne Welsh, this work explores an applied Indigenised verbatim performance practice (Winanga-li / Baliya-li). Created for future delivery in secondary schools, it offers a culturally safe, inclusive method for sharing First Nations knowledges.

In this debut presentation, non-Indigenous students carry the responsibility of portraying the spoken words of First Nations scholars and community members. These stories are not read from ‘slices of dead trees’ or ‘sparkles on screens’ – they are held, honoured and shared through human connection.

For audiences, the experience is a close, considered, and at times confronting ceremony of listening. You will be guided through a series of accessible academic spaces on this promenade performance journey.

Following the performance, audiences are invited into a short debrief to reflect, respond and contribute to the ongoing development of this work as it moves towards a pilot program in schools in 2027.

A river that began its flow at New York University’s Verbatim Performance Lab in 2019, Blakademia is 21st‑century orality, decolonial doing and Indigenisation in action.

Kindred People is an Indigenous‑led gathering held on Boonwurrung Country, guided by Elders and an Indigenous Steering Committee. Each event sits within a broader program of ceremony, performance and knowledge exchange, grounded in respect for Country and the sharing of living Indigenous knowledges. These works invite audiences to listen deeply, learn together and come to the gathering with care.