“Doors” Alkira Networks’ First Performing Arts Production

At the end of November, Alkira Networks’ Performing Arts program stepped onto the stage for the very first time, and what an unforgettable debut it was.

Their original production, “Doors: A Journey of Belonging”, was created and performed by participants who spent the past year exploring movement, theatre, and storytelling under the guidance of Tamblyn Smith, a Program Facilitator with a rich background in theatre. What emerged was not just a show, but a powerful, heartfelt statement about inclusion, courage, creativity, and finding your place in the world.

Tamblyn worked closely with participants throughout the year, building confidence, nurturing ideas, and forming a collaborative space where everyone’s voice mattered. Their commitment showed on stage: every performer shone with pride, presence and purpose. Doors wasn’t scripted around people, it was built with them, reflecting their stories, their humour, their fears, and their joy.

The performance traced the meaning of doors: the ones that open, the ones that stay closed, and the ones we learn to build ourselves.

The show began with the ensemble moving through the colour blue, representing the feeling of being left out: waiting, hoping, trying to be seen. Through spoken lines and evocative movement, performers captured the quiet ache of exclusion, something many in the disability community experience too often.

From there, the story unfolded into a series of imaginative scenes:

• A tender, funny moment of connection on a beach, where two friends create their own world of belonging.
• A wild zombie apocalypse that transformed fear and judgement into laughter and acceptance.
• A joyful game show, Who’s Got the Brain?, challenging misconceptions about intelligence and ability through celebration and humour.
• A poignant moment where performers show how closed doors of exclusion only begin to open when they support each other and speak their truth.
• And finally, an explosion of colour, confidence and glamour as the cast joyfully smashed through limiting doors and create their own path forward.

Every scene blended storytelling, movement and meaning with the unmistakable spirit of Alkira: creativity, courage, and community.

At its heart, Doors shared a simple but powerful message:
Everyone belongs. Everyone deserves to be let in. And when the world closes doors, we can open them for each other.

The final moments of the show had the ensemble standing together before the largest door of all — the Door of Belonging. When it finally opened, the audience erupted in applause, moved by the honesty and heart that had filled the stage.

The performance closed with a chant created by the group themselves:

“I MOO! You MOO! We move! We groove!”

A joyful celebration of self-expression and unity, and a perfect ending to their first production.

Doors marks a milestone for Alkira Networks’ commitment to creative expression and participant-led storytelling. This production wasn’t just a performance; it was an act of empowerment, giving participants the chance to explore who they are and how they want to be seen.

We extend a huge congratulations to the entire cast and to Tamblyn for their imagination, determination and heart. The audience left inspired and already excited for what comes next.

This debut performance was intentionally kept small, giving our cast the space to grow confidence and experience before stepping onto a larger stage. And now that the door has opened, we’re excited to share that Alkira’s Networks Performing Arts program will return next year with a brand-new production, stay tuned for the announcement in 2026. If Doors is anything to go by, next year’s show will be even bigger, bolder and full of heart.