Impact

2025

2024

Blue Roo Theatre Company Inc. is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities, and the Arts.

2025

Productions

TBA (June):
School Tours:
- TBA
- TBA
TBA (November):
Holiday Workshops: TBA

Stronger Connections

Key production and performance collaborations:
Key disability advocacy and research collaborations:
Key work experience and internships:
Volunteers: .

Reach

Live Reach
- TBA

Digital Reach
- TBA

Innovations

New Access, Learn and Lead (ALL) Framework creating an artistic access, skills development and leadership pathway for aspiring creatives with disability in the performing arts industry. Creatives with disability can choose to have it ALL in a practical ‘on the job’, supported and socially safe environment.
New Blue Roo Regional Outreach Program: The launch of our Regional Outreach Program (South Burnett), led by our Kingaroy creative with disability who travels a round trip to Brisbane to participate, supported by the Committee of Management.

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2024

Productions

A Small Day Out (June): An original story devised and performed by the Blue Roo small ensemble, original and adapted music and original movement. Brisbane performance season. Six Brisbane performers and one performer from Kingaroy to take to the stage. One employed mentored arts worker (Production Assistant, Step 2)
School Tours:
- Logan Special School: Thursday, July 11th
- Narbethong State Special School (for the visually impaired): Thursday, July 18th
Midnight at the Cemetery(November): The main production season with an original story devised and performed by the full Blue Roo company, original music and original choreography. Six Brisbane performers and one performer from Kingaroy with disability take to the stage. Two employed mentored artists with disability – Co-Director (Step 2) and Assistant Director (Step 1). The third artistic leadership success stories of the Blue Roo Access, Learn and Lead Framework.
A Small Day Out at the Rodeo (November): An original story devised and performed by the Blue Roo small ensemble, original and adapted music and original movement. Kingaroy performance season. One employed mentored arts worker (Production Assistant, Step 2)
Holiday Workshops
We delivered 140 creative workshops, skill-building activities, and mentoring sessions for participants, enhancing health, well-being, and community engagement in the disability and arts sectors.

Stronger Connections

Key production and performance collaborations:
In 2023/2024 we finalised our ongoing partnership with the Queensland Multicultural Centre venue and BEMAC and reaffirmed our ongoing partnership with Forvis Mazars (Queensland).
In 2024, we piloted the Empowering Disability in Performing Art Productions Audit Consultancy Service, set to launch in early 2025. This rollout will include an interactive two-hour workshop for producers, ensembles, school performing arts departments, and community theatres, accompanied by the later 2025 release of a comprehensive supporting eBook for sale.
Key disability advocacy and research collaborations: Blue Roo made significant contributions to national disability and arts research and policy agendas during this period:
- Evolution of Disability Arts Archive Project, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland;
- Audience Diversification in the Arts – Deakin University, Victoria;
- Leading Change – Deakin University, Victoria;
- Elevate Arts and Disability Roundtable – Arts Queensland;
- Olympics Cultural Legacy Arts and Disability Discussion – Arts Queensland.
Key work experience and internships: The Artistic Success of our Mentorship Program Blue Roo has excelled in providing skills development and leadership opportunities for people with disabilities, significantly enhancing ensemble participant growth and production quality. Notably, Oriel Halpin and James Loakes debuted as Co-Director and Creative Assistant in Bridges, A Small Day Out and Midnight at the Cemetery and Cherie Watson debuted as Co-Director in South Burnett’s A Small Day Out at the Rodeo, all delivering standout contributions. Their roles have contributed to strong audience and stakeholder feedback for recent productions, reinforcing Blue Roo’s unique model as an incubator for future artistic leaders with disability.
Volunteers: TBA
The Friends of Blue Roo, a dedicated sponsorship and donor group supporting our mission to empower artists with disabilities and promote inclusive arts. This group unites individuals, businesses, and organisations passionate about fostering creativity and social impact. Through financial support, in-kind contributions, and advocacy, Friends of Blue Roo helps sustain our programs, productions, and community outreach, ensuring a lasting legacy of artistic excellence and empowerment. Refer to our Friends of Blue Roo website page.

Reach

Live Reach
- Brisbane and surrounds: community productions at Queensland Multicultural Centre (main production)
- South Burnett and surrounds: community production at Kingaroy Town Hall (main production)

Digital Reach
- Videos of performances produced and made available through YouTube, FaceBook and the website.
- Filmed performances expanded the visibility, reach, and impact of inclusive productions, showcasing the talents of Queensland artists and arts workers in Melbourne, Sydney, the Gold Coast, Beaudesert, Cairns, and internationally in the UK, Canada, the USA, Germany, Argentina, the Philippines, and South Africa.
- During this period, we grew our social media presence to 1,628 Facebook followers and YouTube subscribers and our national brand recognition by 296,000 household and community views, and significantly expanded our promotional channel collaborations to include, Creative Futures, Backstreet Brisbane, Blue Curtains: Stories from the Stalls, Art from the Margins, Burnett Today, Crow FM 90.7, and the Queensland Association of Special Education Leaders (QASEL).

Innovations

New Access, Learn and Lead (ALL) Framework creating an artistic access, skills development and leadership pathway for aspiring creatives with disability in the performing arts industry. Creatives with disability can choose to have it ALL in a practical ‘on the job’, supported and socially safe environment. This framework positions us to make a lasting impact at the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics celebrating the artistic leadership and ensemble successes of Queensland’s disability performing arts.
New Blue Roo Regional Outreach Program: The launch of our Regional Outreach Program (South Burnett), led by our Kingaroy creative with disability who travels a round trip to Brisbane to participate, supported by the Committee of Management.

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2023

Productions

Chased by Rainbows (June): Queensland Schools and communities and Brisbane, with an original story devised and performed by the Blue Roo small ensemble with live band, original and adapted music and original movement. Brisbane performance season and regional tour. Eight Brisbane performers and one performer from Kingaroy to take to the stage. One employed mentored arts worker (Production Assistant, Step 2)
Chased by Rainbows Regional Tour (July): Scenic Rim, Moreton and Brisbane schools and surrounding communities. Seven Brisbane performers and one performer from Kingaroy to take to the stage. Two employed mentored creatives with disability (Production Assistant Step 2 and Assistant Director Step 1)
Bridges (November): The main production season with an original story devised and performed by the full Blue Roo company, original music and original choreography. Eleven Brisbane performers and one performer from Kingaroy with disability take to the stage. Two employed mentored artists with disability – Co-Director (Step 2) and Assistant Director (Step 1). The first artistic leadership success stories of the Blue Roo Access, Learn and Lead Framework.
Roving Reporter Podcast and Vodcast: Two employed, mentored artists with disability (Interviewing Step 1 and Interviewing Step 2) on a pathway to using their skills at the Queensland Olympics.
Holiday Workshops: January (Look! It’s my first video podcast), April (Look! It’s my first Theatre Sports)

Stronger Connections

Key production and performance collaborations: Channel 9 (My Way), Variety Queensland Kids Choir, Simone de Haas, Queensland schools, NDIS providers, the Baking Bunch.
The paid Mentorship Program, tailored to the interests and career goals of ensemble members. A core element of the ALL Framework, this program has elevated artistic quality and enhanced brand recognition through partnerships and collaborations with respected Queensland artists and arts workers, including Simone de Hass (Queensland Gold Matilda recipient and internationally renowned speaker), Clint Bolster (internationally recognised teaching artist), Luke Scott (composer, musician, and disability support worker), Lachlan Driscoll (Blue Roo Artistic Director) and Blue Roo producers.
We launched the innovative Rehearsal Roving Reporter vodcast project in 2022/2023 with two ensemble members and in 2023/2024 introduced audience Q&A sessions after performances, enabling ensemble members to strengthen their public presence and develop independent advocacy skills while fostering positive perceptions of the abilities of people with disability.
Key disability advocacy and research collaborations: Access Arts, Deakin University, Radio Voice Disability, Crossroad Arts C.R.U.S.H (Mackay)
Key work experience and internships: Two school work experience students (general production, directing support)- Redlands College, Moreton.
We facilitated employment opportunities for five ensemble members as extras in two additional Queensland My Way episodes.
Volunteers: A 60% increase in production and artistic volunteer hours.
The Friends of Blue Roo, a dedicated sponsorship and donor group supporting our mission to empower artists with disabilities and promote inclusive arts. This group unites individuals, businesses, and organisations passionate about fostering creativity and social impact. Through financial support, in-kind contributions, and advocacy, Friends of Blue Roo helps sustain our programs, productions, and community outreach, ensuring a lasting legacy of artistic excellence and empowerment. Refer to our Friends of Blue Roo website page.

Reach

Live Reach
- Blue Roo Regional Outreach Program: The launch of our Regional Outreach Program (South Burnett), led by our Kingaroy creative with disability who travels a round trip to Brisbane to participate, supported by the Committee of Management.
- Chased by Rainbows was nominated as a finalist in the 2023 Brisbane and Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival, Comedy category.

Digital Reach
- Videos of performances produced and made available through YouTube, FaceBook and the website.

Innovations

New Access, Learn and Lead (ALL) Framework creating an artistic access, skills development and leadership pathway for aspiring creatives with disability in the performing arts industry. Creatives with disability can choose to have it ALL in a practical ‘on the job’, supported and socially safe environment. This framework positions us to make a lasting impact at the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics celebrating the artistic leadership and ensemble successes of Queensland’s disability performing arts.
New Blue Roo Regional Outreach Program: The launch of our Regional Outreach Program (South Burnett), led by our Kingaroy creative with disability who travels a round trip to Brisbane to participate, supported by the Committee of Management.

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2022

Productions

Chasing Rainbows: Queensland Schools and communities and Brisbane, with an original story devised and performed by the Blue Roo small ensemble with live band, original and adapted music and original movement. Brisbane performance season (full house) and regional tour (postponed to 2023). Five Brisbane performers and one performer from Kingaroy took to the stage. Two employed mentored costume assistants with disability.
‘Tis the Season: main production season with an original story devised and performed by the full Blue Roo company with orchestra, Variety Queensland’s Kids choir, original music and original choreography (80% house). Thirteen Brisbane performers and one performer from Kingaroy with disability took to the stage. Two employed mentored arts workers with disability (Scripting, Step 1 and Production Assistant, Step 1)

Stronger Connections

Key production and performance collaborations:, Variety Queensland Kids Choir, Simone de Haas, Queensland schools, NDIS providers, the Baking Bunch and Channel 9 (My Way).
Key disability advocacy and research collaborations: Access Arts, Deakin University, Radio Voice Disability podcast Crossroad Arts C.R.U.S.H (Mackay)
Arts Queensland Grow 2022-2026 Ministerial Round Table invitation. Grow is the second action plan for Queensland Government’s Creative Together 2020-2030: A 10-Year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland, outlining a clear plan to realise Creative Together’s vision for a state renewed and transformed by arts, culture and creativity.

Reach

Live reach:
- Brisbane and surrounds: community productions at Lavalla Hall, Paddington and Upper Mt. Gravatt Progress Hall (main production)
- Queensland Schools and surrounding communities Regional tour (July): Postponed to 2023 due to cast COVID.
- Key organisational and community performances: Aspley Special School, Aspley Disability Expo, Reclink Queensland Gateway Festival of Sport and Art.
Digital reach:
- Expansion of the Blue Roo Digital Hub to include our YouTube Legacy Archive.
- Knowledge Series eBooks: Creating authentically inclusive productions, The social and cultural benefits of inclusive theatre.
- Over 1,220 Facebook domestic and international followers and building. Eight hundred and sixty YouTube views.
- New Media, film and employment alliances: onradio@radiovoice, Mc Gregor Casting, Casting Guild of Australia (Deaf and Disability),

Innovations

New program of holiday workshops for all abilities (focussing on a range of production, performance skills): Look! It’s My First Song and Film Clip (musical parody) and Your Next Step as a Professional Actor (CGA registration),
New Blue Roo Costume and Props Department employed two mentored, inclusive arts workers.
New Blue Roo mentorship program accelerating skills development and providing employment for two inclusive creatives in script development and production skills.
New Vodcast Roving Reporter program hosted by inclusive creatives, developing interviewing skills for the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympics in 2032.
Inaugral Blue Roo Charity Raffle: Eleven sponsors.

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2021

Productions

World Premiere, My Life, My Story: Blue Roo’s first digital production, devised and artistically led by Simone de Haas (Queensland Gold Matilda recipient) featuring the personal stories of four inclusive artists’ journeys to public recognition.
A Midsummer Night Dream: main house production (QPAC Cremorne Theatre), adapted and performed by the full Blue Roo company with a professional orchestra, a small performers’ orchestra and introducing Variety Queensland’s Kids Choir.

Stronger Connections

Key production and performance collaborations: Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Centacare Queensland, new partnership with the Variety Queensland Kids Choir and auspicing arrangement for BOSS creators Brian Lucas and Laura Solomon.
Key disability advocacy and research collaborations: National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), Access Arts, the University of Queensland (Education Faculty) and QPAC Archives.Media, film and inclusive employment connections.

Reach

Live reach:
- Brisbane and surrounds: QPAC main house season attendees (COVID restricted), local school performances.
Digital reach:
- Over 1,170 domestic and international Facebook followers and over 1,270 domestic and international YouTube views.

Innovations

New Artistic Leadership Team model (creative vision and production leadership).
New YouTube Channel Legacy Archive.
Digital QR Code production programs.

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2020 (during COVID)

Productions

Postponement of A Midsummer Night Dream live main house production.
Creative development of My Life, My Story, (first digital production).

Stronger Connections

Key production and performance collaborations: Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Cre8ive, Centacare Queensland and Access Arts Queensland.
Key disability advocacy and research collaborations: University of Queensland (Education Faculty), National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) Diversity Officer, Theatre Network Australia, Arts Queensland.

Reach

Live reach
- Scheduled public performances postponed (COVID restricted).
Digital reach
- 1,129 local and regional Facebook followers.

Innovations

New hybrid creative development model (stage to the screen and screen to stage).
Creative development of first digital production: My Life, My Story.
Introduction of ZOOM rehearsals.

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2019

Productions

Around: main house production season with an original story devised and performed by the full Blue Roo company with a live orchestra, original music and original choreography.
Hotel Pantelone II – the Musical: Commedia del Arte street theatre production with original music.

Stronger Connections

Key production and performance collaborations: Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Centacare Queensland, Red Chair.
Key disability advocacy and research collaborations: University of Queensland (Education Faculty), Australia Council.

Reach

Live Reach:
- Brisbane and surrounds Queensland Regional tour: Far North Queensland and Cape York Aboriginal Communities.
- 10th Year Celebration Ball (Our Big Night of Smiles) Brisbane Entertainment and Convention Centre.
- Key corporate and community performances: INAS Games, Paddington Christmas Fair.
Digital Reach:
- 880 Facebook followers.

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2018

Productions

Time to Go: main house production season with an original story devised and performed by the full Blue Roo company with a live orchestra, original music and original choreography.
Hotel Pantelone: Traditional Commedia del Arte street theatre production.

Reach

Live Reach
- Brisbane and surrounds.
- Queensland regional tour: North Queensland.
- Key corporate and community performances: Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Cultural Program performance.
Digital Reach
- 768 Facebook followers.

Innovations

New Melodrama ensemble.

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2017

Productions

Main house production season with an original story devised and performed by the full Blue Roo company with a live orchestra, original music and original choreography.
Street Theatre: Hotel Pantelone.

Stronger Connections

Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts.

Reach

LiveReach
- Brisbane and surrounds.
DigitalReach
- 483 Facebook followers.

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2016

Productions

Main house production: Orpheus and Eurydice in partnership with Opera Queensland.
Street Theatre: Hotel Pantelone.

Stronger Connections

Opera Queensland.

Reach

Brisbane and surrounds.

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2015

Productions

Bulimba Opera in collaboration with Opera Queensland main house production season with an original story devised and performed by the full Blue Roo company with a live orchestra, original music and original choreography.
Street theatre: Capitano Pretends Again, Waddle of Ducks.