In Conversation with Shontae Wright – CORE
In this edition of In Conversation, we shine a light on CORE, a new work by Shontae Wright, premiering at The Blue Room Theatre from 26 May – 6 June. CORE is a theatrical collage that explores what it means to be an Indigenous person in modern Australia and navigate life and identity through two worlds: Country and colony. A multi-modal work, CORE weaves together an array of images and moments that are poetic, truthful and raw: an evocation for Country, and a re-imagining of the systems that exist upon it. Break down the walls. Hold on to spirit. Connect. Reclaim. Embrace. We caught up with Shontae Wright to dive into the creative process behind the work and what audiences can expect from this thrilling new production.
What motivated you to apply to be part of The Blue Room Theatre’s 2026 season, and what drew you to this project?
The first version of CORE was performed at The Blue Room Theatre in 2024 as part of the TILT project. We were fortunate enough to be awarded the TILT Industry Award which allowed us to have a one-week residency back at The Blue Room Theatre, from this residency we wanted to keep the momentum going and we felt The Blue Room Theatre and their support was the perfect place to bring a more layered and in-depth life of CORE. This project is one that came from my own lived experiences from being an Indigenous woman living in modern Australia, and the feeling of walking in two worlds – colonial and Country. Walking through life trying to shift and dismantle the colonial and racist systems that First Nations people face, whilst always trying to stay connected and strong in spirit and Culture.
How has the creative journey been so far, from concept development to rehearsals?
CORE has been in the making for a few years…since 2024 where we developed and showed a 15-minute version as part of the TILT project. For this version of CORE, the team came together in early April, and we started with discussions and questions we wanted to keep exploring in the work and what was important to us as a team to share with audiences. We don’t work in the traditional theatre sense, we devise the story we are making which can take many forms. Some days, we work on movement and how it feels to be in the Institution of Australia and where that feels in the body, other days we write down our lived experiences and share with each other, which then leads to more yarning and connecting, and then we always make an effort to go outside and explore the environment around us, what speaks to us, what do we see and what art is being shown. We bring this all back in the room and we work, play, and try to bring to the life the feelings and emotions we have experienced.
What has stood out to you during the rehearsal process, any unexpected discoveries or moments of growth?
The beautiful process of devising and having this amazing team (my besties) around me is having the ability to be free, bold, and truthful with my fellow collaborators. When we get to a sticky or difficult patch of the process, we go deeper and we go down different pathways and to be open to the answers that we might come across and discover something that we might not have seen before. That is when its exciting, finding those unexpected discoveries and happy accidents. We are a bunch of dreamers, and to make a work like CORE we need to be bold and be confident in ourselves as young emerging makers and trust in our choices because they come from us and our truth.
How has the collaboration with your cast, crew, and creatives shaped the work and your vision for it?
My wonderful friend and collaborator Laura said this process is like being on a tandem bicycle… we are all peddling and putting the work and effort however we each take turns steering and finding a direction. We all have to be in balance with each other so we can keep moving forward. But honestly, I could not have done this without each of my dear friends being in the room with me…Kurtis who has brought the room to life with movement and specificity and being our ‘supportive force’ always uplifting and creating space for us to grow, rock and shake, Kurtis is someone I can always rely on. Anna who has the tough job of being the manifestation of colonialism, she can bring the joy back into the room when we go into the darker themes/conversations and make us laugh. Laura has a way of getting the dream and vision that is in my head into the space and making it a reality, she has a huge heart and i’m always so grateful to have her in the room with me. Isla, the brain of the production, when I cannot think anymore, she is already two thoughts ahead of me and is getting it sorted, a much needed and appreciated presence in the room.
What does having your show programmed in The Blue Room Season mean to you as a lead creative?
I’m very grateful to have CORE be programmed in The Blue Room season. I feel fortunate to be able to grow as an artist and storyteller. These last couple of months have given me cherished memories, and I’m excited to share with Boorloo audiences our special work we have created and hopefully leave a lasting, meaningful impression.
As you move closer to opening, what are you most excited, or even nervous, about sharing with audiences?
We are most excited about the responses and reactions from audience members to CORE. We are curious on what people will walk away with from the show and what discussions will follow. We have two very contrasting (no spoilers) parts, and it will be interesting to see how audiences will take each of them on and how they feel about it. I think I’m nervous and excited about the response to CORE, there is a lot of truth-telling and exposure to the ugly, colonial walls that Australia has built on Sacred Country. For Non-Indigenous audiences, this is an invitation to understand of what life can look like for an Aboriginal person and pose the question ‘“what are you doing to dismantle the colonial system?” And for Mob, I hope they feel seen and heard, that through all this nonsense, we still have this unbroken, resilient spirit that is rooted in our Culture and in Country and when we hold Country, Country will hold us.
What is your show bringing to the Perth arts scene, and what do you think would help strengthen the local arts ecosystem?
We are bringing realness and truth-telling. This is the type of theatre that we like to see: bold & heartfelt. Racism and colonial systems still exist in this country, and CORE gives an Indigenous voice and lived experience to what that looks like in today’s Australian society. It is a reflection on the issues today, but also how these issues have continued for First Nations people since generations before, and we explore what they look like now and how do we dismantle it today?
Image by Stephen Heath Photography