Jacinta Yelland is a Queensland theatre creator and performer of Chinese and Torres Strait Islander descent. She has collaborated with RealTV, Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre, Elbow Room Productions, Australia’s National Play Festival, Opera Philadelphia, David Gordon, Pig Iron Theatre Company, Quintessence Theatre Group, McCarter Theatre Center, and People’s Light. She holds an MFA in Devised Performance from University of the Arts/Pig Iron Theatre Company and a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Drama) from Queensland University of Technology. Jacinta has completed the Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre Company Internship, and was supported by Arts Queensland to study at École Philippe Gaulier, Paris. With the support of Creative Australia, Jacinta attended The Hemispheric Institute’s 11th Encuentro in Mexico City in 2019 where she collaborated with artists, activists and academics to create theatre that addresses climate change. Her work has been supported by Creative Australia, Arts Queensland, Gold Coast Eisteddfod Foundation, Arts Gold Coast, American Australian Association, Network of Ensemble Theaters, The Puffin Foundation Ltd., and The Work.

Jacinta Yelland - Performer / Creator
Trey Lyford - Director / Creator / Additional Sound Design
Ethan Mentzer - Composer: Original Music / Sound Designer
Payton Smith - Set Designer
Barbaric Yawp Workshop - Masks
Grace Lillian Lee - Costume Consultant
Emmie Parker - Stage Manager

Special thanks to Gold Coast Eisteddfod Foundation, Arts Gold Coast, Suli Holum and The Work, gimmick, The Puffin Foundation Ltd., Fresh Ground Pepper NYC, and Rasma and Stephen Yelland for supporting this work from its inception. This play is dedicated to Marcella, Aiden, Maddox, Ruya, Sonny, Cleo and all that exists in the more-than-human world.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land across Australia and recognise their enduring connection to land, waters, skies, and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations peoples today. Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.

KOAL tackles the climate crisis through visceral physical storytelling, Aussie humour, and three unexpected perspectives—a koala, a Torres Strait Islander girl, and a coal miner who are fighting to hold onto their homes during the 2019 bushfires.

Rather than keeping audiences at a distance, the work draws them in; through clowning, clever character transformation, and direct interaction, they become part of the world of the play.

Performed by Jacinta Yelland (Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre, Elbow Room Productions, Ecole Philippe Gaulier), KOAL is high-energy, playful, and heart-felt, balancing humour with honesty so audiences leave both moved and connected to our climate story.

- Marketing copy
- Post cards (printed, digital)
- Posters (printed, digital)
- Presenter Pack
- Promotional Images
- Trailer
- Published Play (Playlab Theatre)
- Vox Pop audience reviews

KOAL’s engagement extends beyond the performance through tailored workshops, post-show discussions, education resources and community partnerships.

1) Q&A available after every performance for schools and/or community groups with local environmental speakers/organizations (if desired)
2) Performance skills and climate-art workshops facilitated by Jacinta Yelland, creator and performer of KOAL
3) Education Kit, including curriculum links, pre and post show class activities and further resources

These activities aim to foster connection, reflection, and creative agency, creating not just memories of the performance, but new skills, local relationships, and a platform for ongoing climate storytelling within each community.