What Defines Queensland Arts?
Over the past few months, I've had the opportunity to attend performing arts meetings both in Australia and overseas. First was the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) 2026 Congress in Singapore, where conversations centred on the opportunities and challenges facing the global performing arts sector, and how we can work together across borders to strengthen it. Then it was back closer to home for QShowcase in Logan, where I pitched Back to Bilo and discussed the practicalities—and possibilities—of getting work on the road across Queensland, a state nearly seven times the size of the UK.
Those conversations left me reflecting on the question: what defines Queensland arts?
As our wonderful QShowcase host David Burton observed, Queensland is the home of Bluey, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. But it's also the home of Shock Therapy, Circa, Phluxus2 Dance Collective, White Rabbit Theatre, Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre, Shake & Stir, Little Red Company—and, of course, Belloo.
We create work that resonates with audiences from Jundah to Penrith, Taipei and New York. We make intimate children's theatre exploring shifting sands and connection to country, alongside large-scale spectacles with taiko drumming, dance and immersive projection. We champion connection, community, sustainability, and stories from voices that need to be heard. And we never lose sight of the fact that buying a theatre ticket is an investment of both money and time. We want audiences to leave feeling that investment was worthwhile.
So, what defines Queensland arts? I'm not sure there's a single answer. But what these recent travels reinforced for me is the extraordinary depth of talent, generosity and ambition that exists here. It was a privilege to spend time talking about Belloo's work and how we can continue showcasing Queensland artists on stages across Australia and internationally.
If you'd like to connect—whether in person, online (we've all become rather good at Google Meet), or at the Australian Performing Arts Exchange (APAX) in Brisbane, the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HK PAX), or SALON in Sydney—I'd love to chat.
With gratitude,
Kristen
Image: Managing Producer Kristen Maloney at Belloo's ProEx table as part of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) 2026 Congress in Singapore.
