We’re thrilled to welcome contemporary artist Zachary O’Donnell as our first Artist in Residence of 2026.

Zachary will rehearse with Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub for Acquist 2026 at Civic Park, Newcastle, supported by The Lock-Up and its 2026 Artist in Residence program.

Zachary James O’Donnell is a proud Gamilaroi man with his family belonging to Coonabarabran and Burra Bee Dee New South Wales. Zachary was raised in Tennant Creek, a remote community in the Central Desert in the Northern Territory on Warumungu Country. In Warlpiri kinship, his skinname is Jampijinpa. Tennant Creek is where he was instilled with the importance of culture, because of its strong presence within the community. 

In 2023, Zachary joined the Australian Dance Theatre’s TREAD and First Nations Dance Programs, learning from ADT’s Artistic Director Daniel Riley, Adrienne Semmens, Caleena Sansbury and other ADT company artists. He also participated in Lilla Berry’s ‘Thirteen Sisters Development’ at the Adelaide Festival Centre with Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Karul Projects, Thomas ES Kelly.

Zachary performed at Carriageworks in Henrietta Baird’s, ‘Fire’ and ‘Smoke’ as part of NAISDA’S end of year show ‘The Trees have Voices, the Feet have Ears’ directed by Vicki Van Hout. He has since gone on to work with Garwoiedhamin Mayan, Brolga Dance Academy and Burundi Dance Theatre, performing and developing both his Contemporary Indigenous and Cultural Dance practice further.