The play, named don’t ask what the bird look like, has taken what seems like an eternity to make it onto stage.

Belanszky has an acting background and can’t help but be involved in the rehearsal space.

“It has been really collaborative and it’s been really special. I can’t stop going in – I love watching it.

“The characters have deepened and all of that as we’ve gotten into it. It’s essentially a story about a young Indigenous woman who goes to country for the first time, goes and travels out bush really, to visit her estranged father. And it’s a father daughter story about their reconnection basically.”

The First Nations writer has worked on her play for more than five years, overcoming pandemic and flood cancellations to finally see it come to life.

“I actually started writing it in 2017 and that’s when I submitted it to the Queensland Premier’s Drama Awards at Queensland Theatre,” Belanszky said.

“It was a finalist for that award in 2018 and didn’t win, but I got commissioned out of that to keep working on it. Then there was Covid and it was meant to go on last year, but the floods happened literally a month before rehearsals were meant to start.

“Obviously that was pretty devastating at the time, but also it is definitely the right time now. I think it’s been for the best because I’ve had more time to develop it and the team to assemble the right people to work on the show.

“It’s my main stage debut and my craft has developed as the play has.”

She said while it’s a First Nations story at its heart, “it’s for everyone as it’s very relatable”.

“That’s always been my intention,” she said.

“It’s about family and I think a lot of people can relate to that with relationships, particularly family relationships.

“You’re distant from people or they’ve been separated from people, how to keep your family together, how to reconnect with family, how to talk about the past and how to have difficult conversations.

“People can feel that way regardless if you’re an Indigenous person or not.”

She said seeing the actors bring it to life in rehearsals has been thrilling.

“It’s been affirming in ways to see it up on its feet and to see other people interpreting it, but’s it coming out the way that I wanted,” she said.

“And also just inspiring because some of the creative minds in the room, they’re all just so talented and I’m like, thank you for making me look good.

“Bille Brown is perfect for this play because the play is really intimate and it’s just the perfect kind of space for these characters I think.”

Co-Director and Queensland Theatre Artistic Elder, Roxanne McDonald, is excited to be amplifying the voice of a young First Nations creative.

“Nurturing the voices and talents of young First Nations women is not only a cultural responsibility and honour, but also a vitally important mission,” McDonald said.

“These stories have the power to strengthen our communities and pave the way for future generations to find their voices and celebrate our heritage.

“The story Hannah has shared in don’t ask what the bird look like is about family and reconnection. It’s something that is universally relatable, but also innately personal. It’s beautiful and I can’t wait to read everything she continues to create in her career.”

The play opens on Thursday August 24, continuing until September 9.

Discounted tickets for the First Nations community are available through MOBTIX for all performances and all are encouraged to join Hannah Belanszky and Roxanne McDonald for a Yarning Circle on Tuesday, September 5.