THEATRE FOR ID
Arts Alive Galway - Photo © John McMahon
'Working in the arts with and for people with disabilities is not a charitable act, is not a therapeutical session. It's ART- in capital letters- that involves a very demanding creative process and a high-quality artistic achievement.'
That's Life - Photo © Alison McDonnell-White
I have dedicated most of my time as a theatre creator to develop a practice for adults with ID. Something that started in 2005 as a simple theatre facilitator job within the Brothers of Charity services, today has become a real passion.
Through the years I’ve worked in collaboration with companies Blue Teapot Theatre, Mind The Gap, ARTS ALIVE GALWAY and That’s Life.
But without doubt collaborating with the Galway arts organization ’That’s Life’ has been the stepping stone that has allowed me to bring my practice to new levels. The team’s passionate commitment to deliver a creative and exciting arts programme for adults with ID is impressively inspiring.
That's Life - Photo © Alison McDonnell-White
That's Life - Photo © Alison McDonnell-White
Together we have developed workshops, projects and performances where adults with ID are the main creators and we have devised multisensory theatre shows addressed specifically to adults with high support needs. We have always aimed to achieve the highest possible quality of engagement and artistic outcome.
I work in constant research, experimentation and innovation with the aim to create a theatre language that suits the community of artists with ID. I am aware this is not a homogenous group but instead very diverse. Every step I take is in permanent listening and dialogue with the individual and its community. In every new project the practice moves forward and challenges the fine line between limits of ability and pushing boundaries.
That's Life - Photo © Alison McDonnell-White
In 2019 I was granted an Arts & Participation award by Arts Council Ireland to research my practice on the use of masks with performers with ID.
VIDEOS
Arts Alive Galway - Photo © John McMahon
Trickster. Ignite Commision (Arts Council Ireland) That's Life & Mind the Gap 2014
Wash your hands by That's Life. Video clip created to inform about COVID 19 health precautions.
Music Mechanics. Street performance.
That's Life 2018