Stars and the Moon, a new all-abilities production company, is mounting their first production – The SpongeBob Inclusical, from September 18-21 at the Alexander Theatre, Clayton.
The SpongeBob Inclusical asks who lives in a pineapple under the sea and has quickly become the hottest name in musical theatre? It’s SpongeBob SquarePants and he will star in Stars and the Moon’s 2022 Inclusical.
This musical adaptation of a popular sea sponge brings the world of Bikini Bottom to life, with songs by John Legend, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Sara Bareilles and more.
This production of SpongeBob SquarePants is staged with Stars and the Moon’s unique ‘CastMate’ model, which pairs performers with and without disabilities, supporting each other to perform their roles.
So there could be two SpongeBobs, three Planktons or a whole clan of Krabs. In having multiple actors play single roles, the complexity of the characters is explored and highlights STaM’s message of inclusivity.
The Stars and the Moon Castmate system (two actors covering one role) provides the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to take a range of roles that were previously not achievable given their additional needs.
Each character is split differently, according to the strengths and weaknesses of the two actors.This system provides actors with disabilities with individual support, and a partner on stage who can fill any gaps where required.
The company is all about integrating the lives of people with and without disabilities and having two actors go through the intimate experience of sharing a role they are forced to learn about one another, how to support one another and inevitably form deep bonds.
These individual connections have allowed the cast to become one large family that blurs the lines of who has a disability and who doesn’t.
“One of my favourite theatrical experiences is performing in the Purim Spiel with my cousin, Zac Chester, who lives with Down syndrome,’ says founder Eitan Meyerowitz.
“We both love the stage, yet there are markedly fewer opportunities for him to participate in serious theatre than those afforded to me.
“My dream was to create a theatrical experience that allows performers like Zac and myself to share the spotlight, shining on stage equally brightly, albeit very differently, as bright as the stars and the moon.”
This family friendly show aims to demonstrate to audiences what inclusivity can look like, and to encourage audiences to re-evaluate their perception of the potential of individuals with disabilities.
The SpongeBob Inclusical can be seen from September 18-21 at the Alexander Theatre, Monash University, Clayton. Tickets are available at www.starsandthemoon.org

• Cheryl Threadgold