Major production

Photo credit: Jim Cullen Photography

Unfamiliar Ground

How do we explore new ground when our feet cannot lead us? How do we find hope in unchartered times? Join us on an adventure and imagine a universe of unlimited possibilities - one where we can be the hero and shape the way of the future where no-one is left behind.   

Introducing The Player: a person who finds comfort and safety in the loneliness of home. Even though they are sheltered from danger, they still seek connection to the vastness of the world. With the gift of a VR headset, The Player is transported to a holographic space where they are requested to choose their virtual identity. This is the birth of The Traveller. 

Unfamiliar Ground invites audiences to walk alongside The Traveller as they traverse through virtual realties. Woven throughout the immersive performance, Unfamiliar Ground explores the polarity and tensions between nature and the complexities of our digital age. 

Audiences will be immersed in large scale projections that mirror a video game featuring whimsical realms and mythical characters as The Traveller pursues the quest of a lifetime and learns how to coexist with their fears and dreams of the future. 

How does this play out when The Player removes their headset and the game is over? Has The Traveller transformed The Player forever?

Unfamiliar Ground is a site specific, disability-led work directed and devised by core Crossroad Arts performers and their lived experiences as we head into unchartered territory and urge for safe passage. 

Dates: Wednesday 15 July - Saturday 18 July 2026


Cost:  Adult $35 / Concession $30 / Children under 15 yrs $15                Companion cards accepted. 


Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm


Venue: Mackay Regional Council Front Lawns
73 Gordon Street, Mackay


Access: Wheelchair accessible. Please keep an eye on our
website for audio described and Auslan interpreted
performances. 

• Cast

  The Traveller
  Matt Deane

  The Player / Disco Snail
  Seb Cali

  The Great Orator of Blah Blah Blah
  Tony Moore

  Fire Kiss -Fire Element
  Georgia Knoll

  Fire Horse - Fire Element
  Olivia Thomsett

  Gust - Wind Element
  Sara Butler

  Gale - Wind Element
  Stacey Whiting

  Cyrstal Current - Water Element
  Charlee Presland

  Tsunyria Tides - Water Element
  Annalise Mawer

  Earth Mama - Earth Element
  Hannah Izard

  Stone Blue - Earth Element
  Tash Tomlinson

• Creatives

  DIRECTORS COLLECTIVE
  Hannah Izard
  Tony Moore
  Charlee Presland
  Annalise Mawer
  Autumn Skuthorpe

  Visual arts coordinator, costumes and props
  Hannah Izard

  Dramaturgy
  Tony Moore

  Choreographer
  Charlee Presland

  Choreography Artist Support
  Annalise Mawer

  Directing Support
  Autumn Skuthorpe

  Multimedia Designer
  Freddy Komp

  Set Designer
  Josh McIntosh

  Sound Designer
  Mitch Fenlon

  Visual Artist
  Isabella Plant

  Visual Artist
  Cynthia Gregg

  Director - Creative Development (2025)
  Sacha Lagaluga

• Production

  Producer
  Autumn Skuthorpe

  Producer and Front of House
  Lesa Walker

  Sponsorship / Development and Front of House
  Melissa Broadhurst

  Marketing / BTS Documentation
  Brenden Hayles

  Construction, Props, Visual Artist and BTS
  Muddy Grimes

  Auslan Interpreter
  Holly Menzies

  Auslan Interpreter
  Chiquita Cole

  The Great Orator Voiceover
  Freddy Komp

  Computer Game Voiceover
  Kathy Yeoman-Owens

  Audio Description
  Annalise Mawer

  Production Crew
  Stephen Rowan

  Videographer and Photographer
  KR Photography & Videography

  Hero Image
  Jim Cullen

  Front of House
  Shanna Souvlis

  Front of House
  Billie Little

Check out our show program!