{{short description|Australian choreographer and dancer}} {{use Australian English|date=May 2020}} {{use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
'''Michael Leslie''' is an Indigenous Australian dancer and choreographer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/dance/television-ad-inspired-welder-from-the-bush-to-a-lifelong-love-of-dance-20100527-whuz.html|title=Television ad inspired welder from the bush to a lifelong love of dance|last=Fulton|first=Adam|date=2010-05-27|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>
== Career and achievements== Leslie was part of a team which created the following organisations:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ymac.org.au/tag/michael-leslie-foundation-for-the-performing-arts/|title=Michael Leslie Foundation for the Performing Arts|website=YMAC|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref> the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts;<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.seesawmag.com.au/news/reclaiming-language-through-dance/ |title=Reclaiming language through dance |date=23 May 2018 |language=en-AU|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref> the Black Swan Theatre Company;<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.deadlyvibe.com.au/uploads/files/class-activities/2010/ActivityVibe_JUNE10_7-8.pdf|title=The Quiet Achiever - Michael Leslie|last=|first=|date=|website=Deadly Vibe|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> Marrugeku Physical Theatre; and the NAISDA Dance College. He also created the Michael Leslie Pilbara Performing Arts Program to expose local children to the performing arts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/05/14/2244317.htm|title=Michael Leslie Pilbara Performing Arts Program|last=Paterson|first=Sharna|date=2008-05-14|website=abc.net.au|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>
In 1993, he choreographed the first Aboriginal Australian musical, ''Bran Nue Dae''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A146571|title=Michael Leslie: |website = AustLit |access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>
In 2018, he performed at the Ochre Contemporary Dance Company's Australian Premiere Season of ''3 point 3.''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://artsreview.com.au/on-the-couch-with-michael-leslie/|title=On the Couch with Michael Leslie|date=2018-05-28|website=Australian Arts Review|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>
== Recognition == In 1979 Leslie was awarded the Churchill Fellowship to further his studies,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qP9TnFRaxjcC&pg=PA24 |title=Media Ethics, an Aboriginal Film and the Australian Film Commission|last1=Donovan|first1=Thomas|last2=Lorraine|first2=Brody T.|date=2002|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=9780595252664|language=en}}</ref> which he used in 1981.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.communitynews.com.au/eastern-reporter/lifestyle/michael-leslie-returns-to-stage-for-3-3-rite-of-passage-with-ochre|title=Ochre 3.3 and Beyond|date=2018-05-21|website=Community News Group|language=en|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>
In 2010<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellows/detail/1050/Michael+LESLIE|title=Leslie, Michael's Fellowship Profile | website =Winston Churchill Memorial Trust |access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref> he received the Red Ochre Award from the Australia Council for the Arts, receiving {{AUD|50,000}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/news/media-centre/media-releases/thorpe-gives-red-ochre-to-leading-dancer/|title=Thorpe gives Red Ochre to leading dancer {{!}} Australia Council|website=www.australiacouncil.gov.au|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leslie, Michael}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Australian choreographers Category:Australian male dancers Category:Indigenous Australian dancers Category:21st-century Indigenous Australian people Category:21st-century Australian dancers