Up on a Star
Up on a Star is a co-created, multi-artform project by Jonluke McKie, encompassing a visual art exhibition, a sound installation, a brand new picture book and a co-created play for young audiences, co-produced with Alphabetti Theatre. The project aims to challenge stereotypes surrounding adoption, whilst offering an action-packed, adventure show for mainstream audiences.
The Play: Robin is the only human aboard the ISAAC Space Station (Intergalactic Space Aspiration Administration Centre), where she's been adopted into a loving family of Spacemice. Surrounded by aliens of every shape and size, Robin can't help feeling a little bit different. Chaotic, funny and secretly terrified of the dark, Robin is the last person anyone would expect to become a hero. But when the Space Station begins to run dangerously low on Space Dust – the mysterious substance that powers the entire station – Robin and her fearless Spacemouse sister, Aylee, are sent on an intergalactic mission to find more.
Using puppetry, live, original music and Space-Inspired adventure, Up on a Star is a funny, heartfelt journey about self-acceptance, courage and discovering that the things which make us different can also be the source of our greatest strength.
This project has been co-created with children and young people from Arc Adoption North East.
Up on a Star will be performed at Alphabetti Theatre, 16 - 20 February.
The Picture Book: The Girl with a Knot in Her Chest - Naz lives with her Daddy, her Dad and Dusty, the cat. Something else lives with Naz too - a knot in her chest. Exploring the experience of being adopted, The Girl with a Knot in Her Chest is a poignant and heartfult story of self acceptance, written and illustrated by Jonluke McKie and inspired by conversations with children from Arc Adoption NE.
Visual Art Exhibition: Co-created with adopted children, the exhibition explores the questions ‘What’s brilliant about being an adopted person?’ and ‘What do wish other people knew about adoption?’ The artwork will be exhibited at Alphabetti Theatre from the16 -20 February 2026.
Voice Note Campaign: We’re shouting out to adopted children and young people all over the UK and beyond, to offer a chance to share your experience. Send us a voice note answering the following two questions: ‘What’s brilliant about being an adopted person?’ and ‘What do you wish other people knew about adoption?’ with your parent/guardians consent, your voicenote can be included in our sound exhibition, which can be listened to at Alphabetti Theatre, or online from the 16 - 20 February 2026.
CASTING CALL
We are looking for a lead actor who is based in or around the North East for our family show, Up On A Star ⭐
Deadline for applications: 5pm Friday 23rd October
Casting Breakdown:
Robin is female and around 10 years old, we’re looking for a female or none-binary adult performer who can play a child for young audiences. Experience with puppetry and performing for young audiences is preferred.
We encourage applicants from Global Majority, LGBTQIA+, differently abled, neurodiverse and socio-economically diverse communities.
To apply: Please send a short expression of interest (around 250 words max) outlining your relevant experience - this might be professional or lived experience. We’re particularly interested to hear about performance for young audiences, puppetry and if you play any musical instruments.
Please also send a headshot, spotlight profile or CV and a showreel if you have one.
Email: up.on.a.star.play@gmail.com with your application
Auditions will be held on the 6th November at Alphabetti Theatre.
Please note: We do not have budget for relocation costs, so this opportunity is for artists with a base in the North East of England.
This video shares a behind the scenes peek of our research and development process - how we worked with yound adopted people to build the ideas and style of the play.
