That's a wrap! Saying Goodbye to You're Not Special

What began on a humble Sunshine Coast back deck — with cups of tea, the sound of birds, and a living room-turned-rehearsal room — became something truly electric inside the Black Box Theatre Nambour.

Staged Theatre Company’s production of You’re Not Special by Sam O’Sullivan was always going to be personal. It’s a script that plays close to the skin: full of digital tension, romantic fallout, and modern-day ache. We felt it needed to be rehearsed in a space that reflected its intimacy — and that's exactly what we got.

For weeks, our trio of performers — Tyraeli Langley, Caitie Elliott, and Riley Scott — explored the script outside of a traditional rehearsal room. Their performance chemistry, built through kitchen-table conversations and back-deck blocking, gave this darkly funny, whip-smart play a rawness that reviewers and audiences could feel.

By the time we opened at Black Box Theatre in Nambour, the work had ripened into something alive.

“It is so refreshing to see shows such as this… It’s a relevant drama that at times was quite wickedly funny. On other levels it was a brave slap in the face that lifts one of the veils of the digital revolution,” wrote Simon Denver after attending one of the shows. “It succeeded in what all good theatre should do – it engaged the audience; it prompted impassioned conversation and either reinforced or re-orientated opinions.”

Simon wasn’t alone in praising the cast. In another review by our very own Nick Smith, our actors were celebrated for delivering nuanced, honest, and electric performances:

“This showcased that hard-to-find triumvirate — great writing, solid direction, and gold star acting... Tyraeli Langley nailed it — not only nailed it, but hit it out of the park... Riley Scott brought a level of pathos that took his performance up another notch… and Caitie Elliott is a consummate actor, making it look so easy.”

Simon added,

"The comfortability of the intimate physical scenes between Riley and Tyraeli was a good lesson to all groups who seem to be uncomfortable when showing intimacy. You believed they were a new, loved-up couple... "

We were deeply moved by how audiences responded — with laughter, tears, and the kind of impassioned post-show foyer chats that remind you why live theatre matters.

Yes, we’re a grassroots company. Yes, we rehearse in borrowed spaces. Yes, we stage productions on a shoestring budget. But what we lack in resources, we make up for in story, craft, and soul.

“Another bar-raising production that gives the producers apoplexy as to whether they can recuperate the outgoing costs… but gives the audience a powerful night out,” Simon wrote. “Please support local independent theatre.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

To our audience, thank you for showing up.

To our sponsors and advertisers, thank you for believing in the arts.

To Sam O’Sullivan, thank you for writing a play that held a mirror to the mess and the meaning of being human right now.

Our fantastic crew! From left to right: Connor Burnie, Darcy Truman, Peta Beattie & Lauren Willett

We also want to give a huge shoutout to our behind-the-scenes legends: Peta Beattie and Lauren Willett, our sound and lighting guardian angels, who brought the technical magic to life with calm, care, and impeccable timing. And to Darcy Truman and Connor Burnie, our rock-solid backstage crew — thank you for keeping everything running smoothly, quickly, and quietly (except when we needed it loud!).

This show would not have happened without your steady hands and sharp eyes.

The show may be over, but the work never stops. Our co-directors Caitie Elliott and Nick Smith are now diving into The Full Monty at Coolum Theatre Players, with auditions happening next month.

If You're Not Special left you wanting more — more story, more spark, more Sunshine Coast theatre — you won’t want to miss what’s next.

Staged Theatre Company

Letting creatives create. Always.