As an award-winning performer and writer, Kathryn Hall has been making waves in the theatre world since 2009. Her latest solo performance, Sheltered, has been debuting across Australia in 2023, from Adelaide Fringe to the Melbourne Fringe and now Undercover Artist Festival in Queensland. During this time, Sheltered has been awarded the Best Theatre Weekly Award and Access Award at the Adelaide Fringe 2023.
But who is Kathryn Hall, and what motivates her to share her deeply personal story of growing up in a youth shelter, while managing cerebral palsy?
Kathryn’s identity has profoundly influenced her artistic journey as a disabled artist. She has been part of No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability since 2009, participating in major productions that graced numerous stages and touched countless hearts. Her notable achievements include co-creating and performing Of Two Minds, during the 2016 Adelaide Fringe Festival. Marking a pivotal moment in her career, she continued to shine in roles such as ‘Wendy’ in Tutti Arts and her film role as ‘Tattooed Girl’ in Rabbit in 2017.
Now, Kathryn is gearing up for disability-led festival, Undercover Artist Festival 2023 where she will premiere Sheltered to Queensland audiences.
Image: Kathryn sitting on a stage with a puppet’s in either hand sitting on her lap. She is looking down at the puppet with her mouth wide open. There is a patchwork quilt in the background.
Image: Kathryn sitting on the floor outside with a patchwork quilt over her head. She’s holding a sign which says, “Disabled beggars can’t be choosers”.
For Kathryn, disability-led arts are not just a creative outlet, but a platform to amplify her unique experiences.
Sheltered invites audiences to share a glimpse of Kathryn’s experiences with homelessness as a person with disability. While the narrative delves into her past, it remains relevant, offering both laughter and tears in a heart-warming and light-hearted way. Sheltered is a rollercoaster ride through Kathryn’s life, blending comedy, drama, puppetry, and a very special quilt. It challenges perceptions of disability through themes of housing, homelessness, inaccessible school systems, and young adulthood, all while navigating a merry-go-round of therapists and doctors.
In this hilariously honest take on the ups and downs of finding adulthood in a youth shelter while learning to manage cerebral palsy. Kathryn’s cheekiness and vulnerability will have audience’s cry-laughing, offering a fresh perspective on inclusion and belonging.
Sheltered is a heart-warming take on finding your place in the community, regardless of your ability.
Undercover Artist Festival 2023 is the perfect stage for Kathryn and invites audiences to join her.
Join Kathryn and many other incredibly talented artists during Undercover Artist Festival, 20-23 September 2023, at Queensland Theatre.
Undercover Artist Festival is for everyone. Every performance is wheelchair accessible and will feature Auslan Interpretation, Audio Description, and live Closed Captioning. For more information, view the Accessibility Guide here.
View the full Festival program here undercoverartistfest.com
Community/Concession tickets are available for people with disability, First Nations patrons, seniors, and concession card holders. Companion Card holders can access a free ticket.
Undercover Artist Festival is presented by Access Arts in association with CPL – Choice, Passion, Life at Queensland Theatre, and programmed during Brisbane Festival. The program is sponsored by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, Brisbane City Council, Creative Partnerships Australia and Truis.
Undercover Artist acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and we pay our respects to Elders, past, present, and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their unique cultural and spiritual relationship to land, water and seas and their rich contribution to society.
