Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia

The story so far

Polyglot has delivered professional development workshops for Captain Starlight teams since 2016, and we share ‘a common vision of transforming spaces with play and performance’ (Starlight Children’s Foundation). Our artistic explorations together focus on ‘positively disrupting’ hospital environments. Polyglot artists and Captain Starlight performers work together in paediatric hospital settings, engaging children in creative play.

Our Mythical Hospital Creatures collaboration was piloted at Monash Children’s Hospital in November 2024. Here the Confetti Yetti was born, a vibrant paper character spreading positivity through… confetti! Children could feed the Yetti with their responses (notes, drawings and creations) to the question, ‘what makes you happy?’

“When the Yetti eats, they sneeze confetti. Simple but very effective. Lots of laughter and bravery. Heaps of passing staff got involved. Kids came down from their rooms. Other kids watched from their windows… The highlight of the afternoon was how we were able to completely change the vibe of the foyer from stark and quiet, to full of life and laughter.” Artist workshop report, 2024.

The 2025 iteration took place at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne in October. Through a relaxed play and making workshop in the Starlight Express Room, the Wingy Thingy came to life: an enormous paper giant who loves dancing and can transform into a smaller winged creature.

As it roamed through the Hospital’s ‘Main Street’, children, families and staff were invited to make butterflies from paper and tape. The Captain Starlight performers had distributed butterfly-making materials to children on wards, and our team was thrilled to see butterflies displayed in windows. ‘These felt like the legacy of the piece already – little ripples of joy!’ Artist workshop report, 2025.

“One Captain noted how news of the creature spread through the Hospital, saying each time he heard about it from a kid, they seemed to have more information about it. The lore was building as the day went on!” Artist workshop report, Mythical Hospital Creatures

“The way that we were able to change the feeling of the rooms that we walked through was so simple, but so extraordinary. For the children, staff and parents. Children’s hospitals are incredible, but also full of anxiety. Offering light and colour and humour and silliness is a great privilege.” Emily Tomlins, Associate Director, Mythical Hospital Creatures