Preparing the Garden 2009

n 2009, Preparing the Garden marked a significant step in No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability’s commitment to nurturing professional artists with disability. Designed as a professional development program, Preparing the Gardenoffered dedicated performers the opportunity to deepen their skills, creativity, and confidence as they worked toward forming a full-time professional performance ensemble.

Led by Artistic Director PJ Rose and Head Gardener Jo Zealand, the program focused on cultivating a supportive environment where participants could grow artistically and personally. The emphasis was on collaboration, experimentation, and professional discipline—qualities essential to creating cutting-edge and innovative performance work.

Ten talented ‘seedlings’ were invited to continue growing in this creative garden:

Abner Bradley, Rachel High, Mel Kelly, Kyra Kimpton, Duncan Luke, Kym Mackenzie, Ad’m Martin, Donna Schliwa, Matt Shilcock, and Kelly Vincent.

Each performer brought their unique artistry and passion, contributing to a vibrant ensemble that embodied the spirit of No Strings — inclusive, ambitious, and ever-evolving. Together, they helped lay the groundwork for the company’s ongoing journey toward professional excellence and artistic innovation.

Preparing the Garden stands as a testament to No Strings Attached’s vision: to empower artists with disability to take centre stage, challenge conventions, and create theatre that is as bold and diverse as the community it represents.