Local disability performing arts groups, Sunshine Troupe and The Outsiders Band, will take the stage in Queen Street Mall on 18 October as part of the INAS Global Games 2019 Arts and Cultural Program.
The INAS Global Games will see more than 1000 athletes from almost 50 countries competing across 10 sports from 12-9 October in Brisbane. It is a world-class sporting competition for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment that represents the peak of sporting achievement.
The Arts and Cultural Program will be hosted by Performing Artist Nadia Sundie and will run alongside the competitive events, showcasing a diverse array of talent.
The Sunshine Troupe and The Outsiders have been developing their work and line-ups for the day this year and taken advantage of local festivals and corporate events in recent months to ensure they are performance-ready.
Creative director Florence Teillet is delighted to see the Sunshine Troupe having the opportunity to showcase their talents further afield.
“We’ve taken some time to develop a short piece incorporating dance and text to both celebrate the Global Games and the Athletes and share the messages of inclusion that weave within our work,” she said.
Michael Cheetham, The Outsiders’ music director, is thrilled as well.
“This is a great opportunity for the band, following their latest gig at the Maleny Music Festival,’ he said.
The support of the Sunshine Coast community has been critical to the groups’ development and continued success within mainstream events including The Sunshine Coast Theatre Festival, Horizon Festival and The Maleny Music Festival.
Allycia Staples works with both groups and is a young woman who lives with intellectual disability.
“We’ve had a really exciting year and performing for the Games and celebatrating the athletes’ achievements is awesome,” she said.
The Sunshine Troupe’s performance development has been proudly supported by The Sunshine Coast Council and the Regional Arts Development Fund in 2019.
