thomas e.s kelly

Thomas E.S. Kelly is a proud Minjungbal, Wiradjuri and Ni-Vanuatu man and an award-winning choreographer, performer, and director. He looks forward to hosting an Open Contemporary Indigienous Technique class to open VDF 2026.

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A graduate of NAISDA Dance College, Thomas is a dynamic storyteller working across dance, theatre, and sound, with a practice grounded in sharing First Nations knowledge, culture, and connection to Country.

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He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Karul Projects, where he has created acclaimed works including [MIS]CONCEIVE, CO_EX_EN, and SAND CIRCLE. His work invites audiences to reflect on the past, engage with the present, and imagine stronger futures through cultural understanding and exchange.

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Thomas has performed with leading companies including Shaun Parker & Company, Chunky Move, The Farm, Tasdance, Dancenorth, and Circa, with credits spanning Am I, Trolleys, Dinosaur Zoo, and Accumulation.

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Expanding his storytelling to screen, Thomas is the host and creative force behind "Dance With Tom", a hit series on ABC Kids. The movement-based children’s program blends dance, storytelling, and animation to introduce young audiences to First Nations culture, language, and connection to Country in an engaging and accessible way. Don't miss his "Dance with Tom" MINI MOVERS class on Saturday May 23 at 11am for kids aged 3-6! Info at VDF.com.au/minis

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His work has received significant recognition, including a Green Room Award for Outstanding Emerging Choreographer for [MIS]CONCEIVE, which also won Best Dance at Adelaide Fringe. He has received multiple Green Room nominations, as well as a Shirley McKechnie Award nomination for CO_EX_EN. Thomas is also a recipient of The Dreaming Award (National Indigenous Arts Awards), a 2019 American Australian Association alumnus, and a 2020 McKnight International Choreographer Fellow.