Art as resistance: Creativity and disabled storytelling

You can read the full transcript of the event here.

You can watch the full recording here.

Event Summary

• This Open Dialogue was about Art as resistance: Creativity and disabled storytelling.
• The event was hosted by G Treloar and Laura Pettenuzzo. G is a queer, disabled creative, based on Kaurna Country. They are a stage manager with experience on lots of productions, including the award-winning Adelaide Fringe show Sheltered. Laura Pettenuzzo is a writer, editor and critic based on Wurundjeri Country. Her writing explores disability pride, mental health, and the power of self-acceptance.
• In the weeks leading up to the event, there was a survey sent out to people who had registered for the event. G and Laura began the event by sharing some interesting things that people said in the survey. Respondents shared that creating art makes them feel happy and relaxed.
• When asked what stops people from doing art, 66.7% blamed high costs and 33.3% said that art groups are inaccessible.
• A lot of people said art is an important way to express themselves, talk about disability culture, and challenge ableism.
• The first speaker was Dylan McBurney. Dylan is a young transgender advocate, producer, stage manager, and psychology student. Dylan discussed how comedy allows disabled creators to tell their stories how they want to.
• Dylan emphasized that true equity in the arts cannot exist until disabled people have their basic human rights, financial needs, and healthcare met first.
• The next speaker was Deb Costin. Deb is a Queensland-based artist who began her creative journey in an art co-op in 1998. She uses her art to communicate, inspire others, and process her experiences. 
• Following a 10-minute break, our hosts G and Laura both spoke about their own experiences with art.
• G explained that backstage theatre roles are often very inaccessible because of physical barriers. Theatre is also inaccessible because of the demanding “the show must go on” culture. However, working on the inclusive production Sheltered showed how small adjustments – like onstage rest breaks – can easily make theatre accessible.
• Laura shared that she uses her writing to share her personal experiences as a disabled person. Through her stories, she aims to empower other disabled individuals to advocate for their rights. She also uses her writing to educate non-disabled readers to challenge their own biases.
• Then there was an audience Q&A with all the speakers.  
• The event closed with an invitation to register for the June 2026 Open Dialogue event which will be about NDIS changes.