What’s happening?
A new musical called inSTAR will land at BEMAC in Brisbane on Saturday, 20 December.
The show brings together more performers with disabilities from Multicap’s Centre for Creative Arts program.
They have created an original story that pulls apart corruption and fakery in the media and entertainment world and asks the audience to rethink what being a star really means.
The foyer will also feature a 2025 retrospective exhibition with work from more than 30 COCA visual artists.
Why it matters
COCA Program Lead Alicia Jones said the show was designed to uplift artists with disabilities and give them the space they deserve. She said many remain shut out of the creative sector and face limited opportunities.
Jones said the timing also matters, with Brisbane gearing up for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and a likely rise in demand for skilled creative workers.
Local impact
Brisbane still has very few accessible venues for disability artists to practise and perform. COCA created inSTAR to help break that barrier and provide performers with a genuine platform to develop their craft, expand their networks, and have their work taken seriously.
By the numbers
What this really means is that the production is big, busy and built by many hands.
-
More than 50 performers have helped shape the musical, showing the reach of the project.
-
More than 30 visual artists will exhibit in the foyer, adding a strong visual showcase.
-
Tickets cost $10, which keeps the event within reach for the community.
Zoom in
Alicia Jones said the need for a project like this has been clear for a long time.
“Artists with a disability are under-represented and under-employed in the creative sector,” she said.
“With so few accessible theatres and opportunities for artists with disability in Brisbane to hone their craft, we knew it was vital to create a space where their talent could truly develop and shine.”
Jones said the event offers a complete creative experience. “From the pre-show guest musicians, engaging visual art exhibition, through to the stage spectacular, inSTAR is a feast for the senses and the soul.”
Zoom out
The show arrives at a moment when Queensland is preparing for major international events. With the 2032 Games on the horizon, creative talent will be in strong demand. Productions like inSTAR help build that pipeline by giving disability artists training, exposure and experience.
What to look for next?
Audience turnout and community response will guide the future of COCA’s performance work. It may also prompt broader conversations around funding, space and long-term support for disability-led arts.
