Monash-commissioned Little Blue Dot set to tour nationally following major Creative Australia grant
Lemony S Puppet Theatre, Little Blue Dot
Monash University Performing Arts Centres (MPAC) is celebrating a major milestone, with its commissioned work Little Blue Dot awarded $244,888 through Creative Australia’s Playing Australia program. The funding will support an extensive national tour from 2026 to 2028, taking the Monash-born children’s theatre production to audiences across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.
Created by Lemony S Puppet Theatre and commissioned by MPAC, Little Blue Dot began as a unique collaboration between artists and researchers in Monash University’s School of Physics and Astronomy. Sparked by children’s questions about the universe, the work brings together rigorous scientific insight and imaginative storytelling to explore big ideas about space, time and our place in the cosmos.
The production had its premiere at MPAC’s Family Fiesta in 2024 and has since built strong momentum, including additional touring support through Creative Victoria. This latest investment enables a fully realised national tour of 23 venues and more than 50 performances, significantly expanding the reach and impact of the work.
Grounded in a camping adventure between a child and their dad, Little Blue Dot uses humour, curiosity and emotion to unpack complex scientific concepts for young audiences and their families. The production blends live performance with sophisticated puppetry techniques, including black light theatre, to create a visually striking and immersive experience.
The collaboration between Lemony S Puppet Theatre and Monash astrophysicists Dr Rosemary Mardling and Dr Alex Wallace has been central to the work’s success. Their partnership ensures scientific ideas are both accurate and accessible, while reinforcing Monash’s commitment to research that connects with the wider community.
The production has already attracted critical praise. An ArtsHub review described Little Blue Dot as “a thoughtful and engaging work that captures the wonder of the universe while grounding it in human connection”, highlighting its ability to resonate with audiences of all ages.
For MPAC, the national tour represents a significant legacy outcome of its commissioning program. It demonstrates how investment in new work, grounded in research and collaboration, can generate lasting cultural impact and extend the University’s presence well beyond campus.
As Little Blue Dot embarks on its national journey, it carries with it the Monash and MPAC story. It is a story of curiosity, creativity and collaboration, and of how big ideas can inspire audiences everywhere to see our world and our place in it in new ways.
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