A GRIPPING, provocative play about missing people will offer the insights of a Griffith University lecturer when it is staged on the Gold Coast next week.

The Disappearances Project opens at the Judith Wright Centre on Tuesday, coinciding with the Missing People: Issues and Implications conference being hosted by Griffith University on July 5-6.

Dr Julie Clark from Griffith's School of Human Services and Social Work, was involved in the play's script and development when it was first staged by Sydney-based Version 1.0, and will be closely involved in the latest production of the play which tours regional Queensland venues after its Brisbane season.

Dr Clark will join cast members at the end performances in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ayr and Cairns for a question and answer session with audience members on issues surrounding "missingness".

She has carried out extensive research into the impact a family member going missing has on those left behind.

"It's a play that has given a voice to people with a family member who is missing," Dr Clark said.

"This is a voice that often goes unheard. This play gives them a chance to openly acknowledge the difficulties they have faced and the complexities involved."

About 35,000 people go missing in Australia each year - during 2011, 12,278 people were reported in NSW and of those, 236 are still listed as missing persons.

In the Tweed Byron Local Area Command, 57 people have been reported missing so far this year and 22 are still missing.

The latest person locally to be listed as missing is 37-year-old Jason Michael Lowney, who was last seen riding a blue pushbike at 4am in Pottsville on June 10.

Mr Lowney has not made any contact with family or friends and police have grave concerns for his welfare. If anyone has information on Mr Lowney's whereabouts they are asked to contact Crimestoppers.

An average of nearly 250 people are reported missing each week statewide - 60% are under the age of 18 and 10% older than 60.

There are 600 long term (missing more than 12 months) missing people in the state.

For each person reported missing, it is estimated that 12 people are impacted, including immediate and extended family members, friends, work colleagues and community members.

The Disappearance Projects tour has received $33,000 from Creative Partnerships, a joint initiative of Griffith University, QUT and Queensland University with the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Organisations including the Salvation Army, Queensland Police Service, Youth Services, Aged Care, Homelessness Services and the Australian Federal Police have been invited to be part of the project.

Missing People: Issues and Implications Conference takes place at Griffith University's Logan campus on July 5-6.