Tara Jade Samaya

Tara, is a queer eco-feminist and a multidisciplinary artist that, teaches, creates and performs dance.

She joins Dancenorth's ensemble from 2024 for their Australian Wayfinder tour. She was recently rehearsal director at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and danced with the Staatsballett Berlin under the directorship of Sasha Waltz and Johannes Ohman. Performing in Europe with Jefta Van Dinter, Emmanual Gat, Dasniya Summer & created the production ‘I’m here now’ with filmmaker Pippa Samaya for the Komische Oper Berlin.

In 2019, Tara won Helpmann and Greenroom Award for Best Female Dancer in Australia for her work in Chunky Move's Common Ground (Anouk Van Dijk). Previously nominated for Greenroom/Helpmann Awards in 2017, 2012 & 2010. Over the course of her career she has worked with many companies, organisations and independent creators including Chunky Move, Australian Dance Theatre, Douglas Wright, Prue Lang, Lina Limosani and was appointed Chunky Move’s Artistic Associate 2016.

Her film collaborative ‘The Samaya Wives’ with partner Pippa has national and international acclaim for their short experimental movement films, screening across festivals, galleries and independent cinemas worldwide.