NEW WORK 2024/2025
✨COMING SOON!✨ The premiere of Other Worlds - an immersive dance and live music performance designed specifically for teenagers with additional needs.
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Get ready for this epic other-worldly adventure as we embark on a quest through curious worlds, transporting us into new dimensions. Courageous characters, intriguing instruments, spectacular sights, scents, and textures weave together to create an unforgettable sensory-rich, theatrical experience. Join us on a music and movement adventure on the way to our final destination… the Cosmic Dance Party, a celebration in our very own utopia!
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Family & Schools shows running 11th - 15th January 2025 at Riverbank Arts Centre, more info on this soon.
Our family shows are part of Riverbank’s programme for First Fortnight 2025
Poster design by Sarah Moloney Design
...with an incredible team:
STELLAR CAST
Alessandro Zangrando, Anderson De Souza, Brian McSweeney, Sarah Ryan and
Mia DiChiaro
CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Jess Rowell
Producer: Caoimhe Whelan
Set & Prop Design: Eugenia Genunchi
Lighting Design: Zia Bergin-Holly
Sound Design & Composition: Tom Lane
Live musical arrangements: Alessandro Zangrando
Costume Design: Ciara Fleming
Stage Manager: Méabh Crowe
Assistant Stage Manager: Dragana Stevanic
Production Manager: Olivia Drennan
Chief LX: Suzie Cummins
Creative Consultant and Artist Support: Libby Seward
Choreography: Jess Rowell in collaboration with the performers
We are SO grateful to Riverbank Arts Centre, The Ark Dublin and teenagers & staff in St John of God Special School Dublin & St Marks Special School Newbridge for hosting phases 1 & 2 of development and making this possible.
Special thanks to dance artist Sarah Ryan who joined us for week 1 of research in St John of God Special School.
This project is supported by @artscouncilireland YPCE project award with additional support provided by @riverbankartscentreie and @thearkdublin
Making Waves 2024
Sept 2023
A brilliant week of action research with the wonderful students and teachers in St Catherine's School, Co. Wicklow. During the week we introduced dance artist Brian McSweeney to a range of techniques used in sensory dance theatre making. To say we had fun is an understatement!!!! This week was led by inclusive dance artist & facilitator Jess Rowell with mentor Libby Seward; supported by Meitheal: A Branar Initiative.
Watch our video HERE
We are hitting the road (high seas) again in Jan 2024 with a 9 week national tour supported by The Arts Council touring award, following a successful 4 week tour of Making Waves in early 2023 & a week of shows at Baboró International Children's Festival.
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Our accessible touring model features schools & integrated family shows with wrap-around activities to support audience members, their teachers, carers and guardians deepening engagement for all.
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2020 - 2022
As DraÃocht's Dance Artist in Residence (2020-2022) I have developed and expanded my knowledge of inclusive dance practice, engaged with other artists in the field, nurtured cross-arts relationships and received mentorship from Anna Newell amongst others. My work with DraÃocht has been documented and presented on film, stage and live on RTE.
This residency is supported by Arts Council Ireland with additional funding provided by Fingal County Council and DraÃocht, Blanchardstown.
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Residency Blogs & RTE Interview
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3yr Residency Youtube Playlist
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RTE Interview - Between Us There Is...
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