Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that the following program may contain images and voices of people who have died.
Lillian Crombie is a proud woman from the Pitjintjara/Yungkunjara Nation. She is one of Australia’s leading actors and studied acting, dance and drama at the Port Pirie Ballet School, NIDA, NAISDA, the EORA Centre and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, NY. Crombie has trained in classical, modern, jazz ballet and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island dance.
News clipping image Lillian Crombie with Roslyn Watson
She has had feature roles in numerous films including in Baz Luhrmann’s highly acclaimed Australia. She has extensive credits in television including the “Secret Life of Us” and most recently, 13 episodes of the children’s drama series Double Trouble produced by the Nine Network, Disney and Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association. Crombie has played leading roles in many successful theatre productions including Mereki the Peacemaker, Conversations with The Dead, Black Mary - Festival of Dreaming, Gunjies, Capricornia and recently Rainbow’s End.
In this interview Jacob Boehme takes on an extensive journey through Lillian’s life, from when she started dance, through to her journey to Sydney and across to New York. Lillian has worked extensively with community and schools, and has a passion for teaching. She has just opened Lillian Crombie's School of Dance and Drama, to inspire the next generation of dancers and performers.
‘For the kids, I want them to have the same experiences I had.’
The interview touches on the AIDS epidemic and sexual assault, but simultaneously brings hope, light and optimism for where we find ourselves as a society now
‘Don’t worry about it, it’s going to pass through, just take care of yourself it will be okay’
Film and Television credits include:
Double Trouble (2008). TV Series, Milly (13 episodes)
Australia (2008). Feature Film. Director Baz Luhman. Character: Bandy Legs
Days Like These (2007). TV. Mum
Lucky Miles (2007). Evie
The Secret Life of Us (2003)
Deadly (1991). Sally
Ring of Scorpio (1990). TV
Theatre credits include:
Rainbow’s End (2009), Riverside Theatre
Conversations with The Dead (2004), Belvoir Street Theatre
Sydney Stories, Sydney Theatre Company
The Cherry Pickers, Sydney Theatre Company
Black-ed Up, Sydney Theatre Company
Clan, Bangarra Dance Theatre
La Dispute, Sydney Theatre Company
Black Mary, Festival of Dreaming, Company B, Belvoir Street Theatre
Capricornia, Company B, Belvoir Street Theatre
Up the Road, Company B, Belvoir Street Theatre
Gunjies, Belvoir Street Theatre
The Lillian Crombie Foundation
The focus of the Lillian Crombie Foundation is to support travel needs for Sorry Business and prevent Sorry Business related debt. It starts with TLC, tender loving care, respect and acknowledgement that the need to travel is real and the financial cost often prohibitive.
For Aboriginal people, attending the funeral of a family member is culturally appropriate — something we must do — as well as a starting point for grieving, healing and moving on.
Yet many Indigenous Australians are getting into crippling financial debt, just dealing with Sorry Business, paying for the funerals of family and community members (who had no provision to do so) and often travelling lengthy and expensive journeys to home Country to say goodbye. Find out more here.
You can find a written transcript of this episode here.
This interview was conducted by Jacob Boehme. Jacob is a Melbourne born and raised artist of the Narangga and Kaurna Nations, South Australia. He is a multi-disciplinary theatre maker and choreographer, creating work for the stage, screen and festivals.
DELVING INTO DANCE IS SUPPORTED BY THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH CREATIVE VICTORIA AND THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL, ITS ARTS FUNDING AND ADVISORY BODY. IF YOU ENJOY DELVING INTO DANCE PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING A CONTRIBUTION. CONTRIBUTE HERE.