GLass Child
Glass Child is a poignantly revealing depiction of the sibling relationship between Kayah, a young man with Down Syndrome and his sister Maitreyah. Expressed through dance, theatre and storytelling Glass Child highlights their connection and how their lives have been affected by other people’s perceptions.
Throughout their lives Maitreyah has watched Kayah be left out, ridiculed or ignored without understanding why. Glass Child puts a microscope on their love and how their relationship has grown. It questions how we behave when we find the difference we inevitably look for and asks us to examine why we search for difference when we share so much in common. It is poignantly personal and inclusive, incorporating complex themes of trust, communication, sense of self and our place in the world.
“Glass Child is a brilliant, visceral, finely strung play, with that most rare of qualities, true emotional connection.”
“This is hands down the best piece of storytelling I’ve seen this year.”
Nothing ever happens in Brisbane
“Kayah is a brother of blood, but also a friend I rely on to lift my spirits. Down Syndrome carries many challenges for him, but it gifts him a love that is truly majestic, he sees spiritual beauty in places where I do not, which in itself gives him a strength I will only know through him”
- Maitreyah Guenther
“When Maitreyah was a little girl and fell over I would help her up and now she helps me up. I want people to see inside me & Maitreyah, the love, frustration & anger. & the flower I have for her.”
- Kayah Guenther
Creative team
At The Farm work is made in a collaborative process where everyone brings their expertise without being confined to it. All animals are equal.
Created by: Kayah Guenther, Maitreyah Guenther, Kate Harman and Gavin Webber
Performed by: Kayah Guenther & Maitreyah Guenther
Direction: Gavin Webber & Kate Harman
Lighting Design: Chloe Ogilvie
Composer & Sound Design: Anna Whitaker
Set & Costume Design: Rozina Suliman
Animation: Rozina Suliman & Kayah Guenther
Glass Child was co-commissioned by HOTA with the support of Arts Queensland