HotHouse Theatre presents Mission Songs Project in Wodonga

HotHouse Theatre will present Mission Songs Project, which was originally programmed in the 2020 HotHouse Season.

Lloyd's profoundly moving and important Mission Songs Project is an initiative to revive contemporary Australian indigenous songs from 1900 to 1999.

The show reveals what daily life was like for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on Christian missions and state-run settlements.

Lloyd will also be supported onstage by Border performers Racheal Oak Butler, Bobby Whybrow, Aaron Perkins-Kemp-Berger, Aunty Valda Murray and a choir, presenting two original songs reflecting local identity and stories.

Searching for the secular songs that were sung after church, Mission Songs Project looks to explore the day-to-day life of the mission days, from cultural identity to love and loss.

These songs performed by an extraordinary group of indigenous musicians consist of almost forgotten stories that illuminate the history of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders, families and communities.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Presented as an acoustic trio, Lloyd takes audiences on a musical journey across Australia; she engages through intimate storytelling, moving harmonies and historical insights.

Using humour and truth, Lloyd shares the voices of elders as they would around a campfire or kitchen table.

She connects the traditional with the contemporary, revealing the continuation of cultural practice and song traditions.

HotHouse Theatre's artistic director Karla Conway welcomed the anticipated show.

"Mission Songs Project provides a beautiful connection between the history and stories of our mixed mob community in Albury-Wodonga within the broader songs and stories from the missions over the last century," she said.

"We can't wait to see our local performers celebrated on stage with Jessie Lloyd; it will be a special night in the theatre."

Aside from the evening shows, there will be a community performance on Saturday, May 15, at 2pm. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members can get complimentary tickets at AWAHS and Mungabareena.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: