SUDS Fundraiser: Commissioning a First Nations Storytelling Mural Outside the Cellar Theatre

Sunday 30 July
6pm-9pm
The Forest Lodge Hotel
Tickets $15 https://bit.ly/3OgvEbZ

On Sunday July 30 at 6pm, come join us for free pizza, chicken wings and salad at the Forest Lodge Hotel to raise funds, talk about upcoming SUDS events and celebrate the fast-approaching second semester (full to the brim with awesome SUDS-happenings) together!

The Cellar Theatre on the University of Sydney campus is located on stolen Gadigal Land, belonging to the traditional custodians of the Eora Nation. This August, the SUDS Executive team is commissioning a very talented Warlpiri/Gamilaraay artist, Jessie Waratah, to paint a mural outside the doors of the Cellar Theatre inspired by the theme of Storytelling. This mural, which will climb wall-to-ceiling outside the doors of the theatre, will remind anyone who passes through (be it auditionee, SUDSian, student, staff, or audience member) that storytelling has been happening on this soil for thousands of years before British invasion.

As a society all about stories and how we choose to tell them, we recognise that we are part of a long canon of oral tradition, Dreaming, and storytelling. In 2023, our Dramatic Society and its many productions exist at the pointy-end of that Australian canon. We acknowledge those who came before us and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. The land on which our theatre stands has, for thousands of years, been a place of learning, knowledge exchange and wellbeing for First Nations people. To celebrate these practices that began on this land thousands of years ago, we would like to welcome everyone into the theatre beneath a mural-painted archway that pays tribute to the traditions of First Nations communities, the custodians of this land. Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, and always will be Aboriginal Land.

On Sunday 30 July, we’d love for you to join us at the Forest Lodge Hotel for a night of fun before the semester begins. Tickets are $15, and please consider donating via the humanitix link to our mural! We’ll be showcasing Free pizza, salad and chicken wings!

Please email us about any dietary requirements, concerns or questions at sudsthewash@gmail.com