Russell Page

Russell Page grew up in Brisbane as the youngest of 12 siblings in a worker class family. When he was 15 years old, he had to decide between Rugby (Queensland State Rugby) and dancing; in difference to the rest of the family his father wanted him to choose the rugby career ... until he saw him dancing. Russell was educated at the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre in Sydney and graduated in 1989. He was the first artist with a performance in the Prime Minister's private courtyard (Parliament House in Canberra). In 2001 he joined 'Bangarra Dance Theater' (where 2 brothers are still choreographer and composer respectively), where he became a star. There he also performed with Rayma Johnson, later his wife. Kick (1999) was the only "long" film he acted a lead, although he was engaged in several short films and video-clips. When he died, he left a son and two daughters. his oldest child, son Rhimi, is a guest performer at Bangarra Dance Theatre.