28 Jan Burnout Ballet Brings Diversity to Bendigo’s Stage

Burnout Ballet is a movement based theatre work that started from a local news story about late-night ‘burnout’ action on the streets of Bendigo. CreateA took this story and, with their typical inventiveness and irreverence, created a show that has a pool game, a bar brawl, a car chase and lots of dancing.

The production of Burnout Ballet crackled with energy and fun over three performances at The Engine Room in December 2025. It was received enthusiastically by audiences, sparking new conversations about the contribution of people with disability to our cultural experiences.

A Power-Up grant from the Ulumbarra Foundation helped to stage this ambitious production in a challenging funding environment for the arts. Additional funding was provided by Eziway and Golden City Support Services, along with in-kind support from Bendigo Venues & Events.

Burnout Ballet created paid employment opportunities for seven local professionals and the performing ensemble included nine individuals with disability. Supporting the ensemble were four disability support workers who also performed as part of the ensemble.

“We loved that the story was developed here In Bendigo. It’s about our regional culture, and was developed in conjunction with the artists,” said former Ulumbarra Foundation Chair Carolyn Stanford.

Create A’s Creative Producer John Willis emphasised the importance of people with a disability being visible on stage.

“The ensemble experienced what it is like to perform publicly in a production with high values at a professional level. The production gave performers permission to extend their experience of what roles and what behaviour is possible for them in performance.

“They enjoyed playing roles where they get to behave badly, to be the rebel, to challenge authority, to be loutish. Outside of the theatre these ways of behaving wouldn’t be tolerated, especially as people with disability who are typically watched over closely. Trying on these kinds of ways to express oneself is liberating – and fun!”

Building on the success of Burnout Ballet, performances at other venues in Victoria are being explored. Watch the short video below featuring highlights and interviews with the ensemble and production team.

CreateA was established in 2002 to provide opportunities for people with disability to practice and present the arts publicly.