Kirli Saunders (OAM) is a proud Gunai Woman who rarely stays in her lane. She’s an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist, writer, singer-songwriter and consultant. 

Kirli creates to connect, to make change. Kirli’s eight celebrated books, among others, include Eclipse (Allen & Unwin, 2025), Returning (Magabala, 2023) and Bindi (Magabala, 2020). She was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to the arts (2022).  

“Yandha Djanbay (Go Slowly) combines elements of my creative practice that I haven’t fully explored in my poetry or music. My relationship with Leland Kean as Dramaturg and Director of the work has helped me step into the theatre world in a way that feels both profound and personal. Theatre offers me a way to be vulnerable in front of an audience, providing a unique environment where I can communicate experiences that are difficult to convey in other mediums.  

This work is still evolving, and for me, it’s an ongoing process of refining my craft on stage. I’m grateful for the chance to unite different forms of expression and performance, weaving them into a cohesive narrative that reflects the power of land, identity, and belonging. At its heart, this piece explores the practice of returning to Country during times of complexity, drawing on the land, sea, and sky as sources of healing.  

Ultimately, the performance invites the audience into a meditative space, where they can engage with the transformative potential of connection—to self, to others, and to the environment. I’m eager to share this experience and offer insight into life as a queer Blak woman, using theatre as a platform for both personal and collective growth.”