ABC Arts reports on dance.

The topic is dance.

It is Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 4:30 am.

Dancer Carly Sheppard and Alisdair Macindoe created a new show called The Shepherds.

Carly met Alisdair in a field.

They met at a golf course event. The event was to mark the 100th Sidney Myer Fellowship. Carly and Alisdair decided to work together.

Alisdair said, 'Let's work together.' Carly agreed.

Alisdair said, 'I'm also a Sheppard.' They decided to explore this coincidence.

Carly and Alisdair made a dance show about lost sheep. The show is called The Shepherds.

Carly is happy to work with Alisdair. It reminds her of being on someone else's land.

Carly grew up without her traditional language and dances. She feels like an 'orphan of the colony'.

Carly is exploring this feeling in her work.

Alisdair is also exploring his place in the world. They are both settlers in Melbourne.

Their dance show is about being a 'shepherd'. For Carly, it's linked to her past.

Carly grew up in a cult. The idea of a shepherd is connected to her past trauma.

The idea of a shepherd is also about what happened to her people. It's about missions and missionaries.

Carly and Alisdair found a way to make their show work. They created a cult and a ceremony.

The ceremony is the show itself. It's a special event.

Carly is finding her way back to dance.

The Shepherds is a homecoming for Carly.

Carly is happy to be working with Alisdair. It's in line with her goal to start dancing again.

Carly trained in dance, but she stopped dancing. She started doing other things like acting.

Carly works with other artists. She likes to build her own sets and do sculpture.

Carly had the urge to dance again. Working with Alisdair helped her.

Carly is getting back into dance. She's building her skills again.

Having a collaborator is helpful. Carly can bounce ideas off Alisdair.

Carly and Alisdair have a similar sense of humor. They can follow ideas through laughter.

Beyond this biennale

Carly is programmed in the first Australian Dance Biennale. She's returning to dance after years.

Carly feels lucky. She's grateful to be programmed.

Carly is sensitive to the fact that she's a visitor to the Kulin Nations.

Carly values talking about her First Nations-ness. It's a hybrid experience.

Carly hopes to see more First Nations artists in future dance biennales.

Carly is excited for the future of the Dance Biennale.

Carly is really excited.

The Shepherds is at Arts House, Melbourne, from June 5-7.

It is Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 4:30 am.

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