An immersive theatre work for babies inspired by the

first year of life

Photo credit: Pia Johnson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 31 MARCH 2023 – A period of great uncertainty for both baby and carer - the first 12
months of an infant’s life – has inspired a new immersive sensory theatre performance at Arts Centre Melbourne from
28 June – 2 July. An Uncertain Time, part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s Families and Children Program, was created
by performance maker Sarah Austin using elements of song, sound, physical theatre, and object puppetry to create a
narrative journey for babies aged 0-12 months and their carers.
The work explores ideas of love, loss, hope and uncertainty through a tactile, sensory, and visual experience that will
captivate babies and adults alike.
Sarah Austin is an award-winning theatre maker and researcher with a specific expertise in collaborating with children
and young people to create contemporary performance work.
“Neuroscience tells us that critical neural pathways are formed in the first three years of life. “Providing infants with
quality arts and cultural experience fosters their understanding of beauty, belonging and story,’’ said Austin.
“This work ponders the infinite possibility and potentiality of early childhood as well as the responsibility of caring for
new life in an ever changing and often unstable global environment.”
An Uncertain Time uses child-led approaches to participation and engagement and is designed in response to clinical
research into child development and the formation of neural pathways.
The production is produced by Performing Lines and will be presented as part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s year-round
Families and Children Program. Launched in August 2009 and it has grown in reputation to become a highly respected
program nationally and internationally. Featuring intimate and large-scale theatre from some of the world’s most
respected companies and a diverse range of interactive workshops, the program is robust and growing in size, scale
and scope.

The performance runs for approximately 30 minutes with optional play time available for babies and carers afterwards.
Images can be found here.

Arts Centre Melbourne presents

An Uncertain Time
By Sarah Austin and Co
Produced by Performing Lines
Playhouse Rehearsal Room | 28 June – 2 July 2023
For more information visit artscentremelbourne.com.au

Creative Team

Creator Sarah Austin

Performers Niow and Lauren Sheree
Designer Rainbow Sweeny
Costume Designer Niow
Lighting Design Richard Vabre
Composition and Sound Design Madeleine Flynn & Tim Humphries
Produced by Performing Lines

An Uncertain Time is produced by Performing Lines. The premiere season was supported by Besen Family
Foundation and Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body,
as well as Darebin City Council through the FUSE Fund.

Arts Centre Melbourne acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we stand, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung
people, and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.

For more information including: our current health and safety policies; bookings for free and ticketed events; and other
digital content and experiences, please visit artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.

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For further media information and interviews, please contact Senior Media and Communications Advisor Suzanne
Robson on 0407 443 271 or suzanne.robson@artscentremelbourne.com.au.