26/05/2026
Following the success of securing an Arts Impact grant in 2024, Sensorium Theatre has continued developing Snuggleplay, a groundbreaking new multi-sensory theatre work for babies with disability and their families, set to premiere later this year.
Co-Artistic Director Michelle Hovane says the work grew from recognising the immense challenges many new parents face, particularly families raising children with additional needs.
“Being a new parent is hard,” Michelle says. “There are so many expectations and theories, so much information, so much to juggle. But there is also less now — less extended family, less of the village to help raise children, less time spent with other parents simply having a laugh or a cry together. New parents can feel incredibly isolated and alone.”
Michelle explains that these pressures can intensify significantly for parents of babies with disability or developmental delay.
“Parents of children with disability are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression and are much more likely to experience relationship breakdown. Parents at this stage in the journey really need support from community and contact with peers going through similar experiences.”
Developed through Sensorium’s signature multi-sensory approach, Snuggleplay aims to nurture connection, creativity and wellbeing for both babies and caregivers.
“Snuggleplay will be a warm hug of a show,” Michelle says. “It will nurture and connect parents with each other, while providing creative, multi-sensory stimuli for their babies. So much neurological development takes place in the first year of life — a baby’s brain literally doubles in size.”
The work combines live music, tactile design, scent, costume and intensive performer interaction to stimulate imagination and sensory engagement.
“Think delicious soundscapes, beautiful handmade props, gorgeous scents and costumes, and intensive interaction between performers, babies and their families. We work with children’s strengths rather than focusing on their ‘disability’.”
Sensorium’s approach is grounded in years of experience in the early childhood and
disability space. “For years, Sensorium has been working in the early years sector through our sensory rhyme time programs, building strong relationships with disability services and advocacy groups. That means we can genuinely co-design this work alongside families and babies with disability.”
The project is currently progressing through a three-phase development model, beginning with research and community co-design, followed by creative development and rehearsals, before returning to families for further testing ahead of its planned premiere.
Michelle says the project will create lasting benefits both for Western Australian families and artists. “The impact of Snuggleplay will be twofold. It will create positive outcomes for vulnerable families across WA while also supporting sustainable careers for local artists. An annual season will bring the work to hundreds of families each year, while also creating long-term employment opportunities for artists and designers in Western Australia.”
The Snuggleplay creative team includes dance artists Alice Cummins and Jacqui Otago, composer and musician Thea Rossen, led by Michelle Hovane as Co-Artistic Director.
Image credit: Fi the Filmmaker
