Real Life

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Featuring & Co-Created by

Eoghan Ashe, Conor Begley, Neil Coffey, Maurice Coll, Lucy Smith, John Egan, Wesley Fairbrother, Teresa Flood, Keith Foley, Derek McSweeney, Ella-Jane Moore, Jackie O’Hagan, Mark Smith, Lauren Larkin & Fionnuala Gygax.

Writer & Director Aisling Byrne

Associate Director & Co Creator Sinéad Dunne Finnegan

Company Manager Rema Hamid

Creative Producer Killian Coyle

Set & Costume Design Ellen Kirk

Lighting Design Suzie Cummins

Sound Design Jenny O’Malley

Film Design Kilian Waters & Dan Keane (Arcade Film)

Movement Director & Co-Creator Enda Moran

Dramaturg Shane O’Reilly

Production Manager Eoin Hannaway

Stage Manager Laura Murphy

ASMs Maeve Smyth & Iain Synnott

Chief LX & Op Archer Bradshaw

Sound Engineer Eoin Murphy

Av Tech Eoin Robinson

Chaperones Mary Squires & Evelyn Carey

PR Jenny Sharif

Graphic Design Sarah Moloney

Promo Photography & Videography Pato Cassinoni

Run of the Mill are a multi-award winning inclusive arts organisation committed to creating a platform for the stories, artistic expressions and talents of intellectually disabled people in the arts in Ireland. We strive to make work of high artistic quality that is entertaining, unique, ambitious, impactful and visible on our stages and our screens. We work towards making the landscape of arts practice in Ireland a more inclusive one. Recent work includes the Oscar-Qualifying live action short film Headspace (winner Grand Prix Best Irish Short, 67th Cork International Film Festival) and a National Tour of the multi-award winning Making a Mark by Shaun Dunne, co-created by Mark Smith and Aisling Byrne.

The Run of the Mill Ensemble are emerging artists Eoghan Ashe, Conor Begley, Neil Coffey, Maurice Coll, Lucy Smith, John Egan, Wesley Fairbrother, Teresa Flood, Keith Foley, Derek McSweeney, Ella-Jane Moore, Jackie O’Hagan and Mark Smith. The ensemble are based at Maynooth University and since 2022 have been working in collaboration with the company to develop a portfolio of practice, pave pathways to future professionalising and develop original ideas for new work. Recent projects include artist development programme The Engine Room (2022), work incubator programme The Wheelhouse (2023), and new work strand Take it Away (2024). Across this period (2022-2024) the ensemble have developed Real Life and have worked collaboratively to develop upcoming original film project Mary is Missing. Individual projects include Mark Smith’s multi-award winning Making a Mark, the Oscar-Qualifying short film Headspace, poetry short film Connections (with Colm Keegan) and Jackie O’ Hagan and Wesley Fairbother’s upcoming clown piece Linda, George and Gillian in collaboration with Raymond Keane– which will be shared as a work-in-development at this years Dublin Theatre Festival.

Aisling Byrne (she/her) is an award-winning Writer/Director and Artist Facilitator working across theatre and film. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Run of the Mill– a multi-award-winning arts organisation that platforms the work of intellectually disabled artists, and co-founder of Dublin based theatre collective, Talking Shop Ensemble. Recent and upcoming work includes REAL LIFE (Run of the Mill, Project Arts Centre, 2024), Turnaround (A Screen Ireland Focus Short), Misread (Winner RTE/ Ardan Short Film Commision, 2023), the Oscar-Qualifying Headspace (Winner Grand Prix Best Irish Short at 67th Cork International Film Festival, European Film Awards Candidacy 2023), FUTURE TAPESTRY (in collaboration with John Conway) and Making a Mark by Shaun Dunne (National Tour, 2022, Dublin Fringe, 2019, Winner Judges Choice Award). In 2023 she was selected for Screen Ireland’s flagship ‘Spotlight Scheme’ where she is under commission to adapt her stage play Singing for Survival (2019) into a feature screenplay. As a facilitator Aisling collaborates regularly with CREATE, Dublin Theatre Festival, Theatre Forum and Dublin City Council Culture Company.  She has been responsible for facilitating Dublin Theatre Festival’s Next Stage Programme 2022-23. Aisling is Represented for Writing and Directing by Jethro Thompson, Curtis Brown.

Killian Coyle (he/him) is a passionate and detail-oriented Creative Producer, working alongside theatre and film makers between Ireland and the UK. With a focus on socially engaged storytelling, Killian is deeply committed to affecting change and making a difference through his work. He has worked on a diverse range of projects, from short films and site-specific performances to national and international tours, and artist development programs.Notable recent highlights of Killian’s creative producing career include the multi-award winning Oscars 2024 longlisted short film Headspace by Aisling Byrne; This Solution by Shaun Dunne for Dublin Theatre Festival 2023; Good Sex original production at Dublin Theatre Festival 2022, and International Tour to Noorderzon, The Netherlands, and the International Summer Festival Hamburg, Germany in 2023 with Dead Centre; a 9 venue national tour of the award-winning Making A Mark with Talking Shop Ensemble and Run of the Mill; Privilege: The Musical! with Louise White Performance; and the radical interpretation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Animals, with Louise White Performance for Dublin Theatre Festival 2022. Currently, Killian is continuing his work alongside Aisling Byrne on the development of several film pieces, including short film Turnaround, which is funded by Screen Ireland’s Focus Shorts Scheme and due to premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh 2024. In addition to this, he is exploring opportunities for This Solution to tour internationally, film development with Shaun Dunne, while also working on a suite of film, theatre, and artist development projects with Run of the Mill, backed by the Arts Council’s Arts Grants funding for 2024. Killian is a part of Screen Ireland and the National Talent Academies EMERGE programme, which is aimed at a diverse network of new and emerging producers who want to increase their industry knowledge and upskilling, while growing their peer and industry network. He is also part of the field:arts cohort, a new Creative Production Supports initiative supported by the Arts Council of Ireland that will cultivate growth, sustainability and ambition across the independent contemporary arts sector in Ireland by prioritising the fundamental relationship between the Creative Producer and Artist.

Rema Hamid is an artist and producer, with a background in advocacy and digital campaigning. Their grassroots practice, coupled with their study of Public Advocacy and Activism at the Huston School of Film & Digital Media, has enabled them to fortify their activism with historical know-how and hone their skills in effective and meaningful advocacy.Working as a Digital Campaigner with Uplift has provided them with valuable insights into the process of changing viewpoints, and the effectiveness of media when used correctly to facilitate such change. In this role, they gained an understanding of how policies are created, and more importantly, how they can break down in the real world. Working with groups across Ireland and Europe has allowed them to appreciate the nuances and complexities of raising issues and creating dynamic solutions that enable change to happen. It was through this work with grassroots groups that their professional practice began to intertwine with their art. Rema views production (particularly event production) as a wonderful tool for facilitating community, constructive conversation and platforming people. Through seminars, fundraisers, photoshoots, videos and gatherings; one can create an atmosphere where folks feel like they can truly share and be themselves and, if nothing else, Rema wants to be able to elevate people within themselves to share their stories, experiences and viewpoints.

Sinéad Dunne Finnegan is a theatre artist and drama facilitator based in Dublin. A recent graduate of Trinity College Dublin’s BA in Drama and Theatre Studies, Sinéad is passionate about accessible theatre and creating inclusive environments where all participants can thrive. Sinéad has facilitated accessible workshops with Dublin Youth Theatre, AsIAm and in schools and disability services across the country in their role of Outreach and Engagement Officer for the Making a Mark national tour (Run of The Mill and Talking Shop Ensemble, 2022) and Yellow (Jody O’Neill, 2022 – 2023). After two years of working with Run of the Mill in a freelance capacity across projects such as The Masterclass Sessions (2021), the Making a Mark National Tour (2022), The Engine Room (2022-2023) and The Wheelhouse (2023), Sinéad was delighted to expand their role within the company as Associate Director in 2023. In addition to assistant directing Real Life and providing creative and administrative support for the organisation, this role involves co-ordinating and facilitating Run of The Mill Youth Theatre. In July 2024, Sinéad will lead the Youth Theatre’s inaugural summer project, an artistic exploration of Brigid, patron saint of learning, in collaboration with PlayActing Youth Theatre. The two-week summer school will culminate in an installation in the Slip Hall, Celbridge. Directing credits include Equinox (Scene + Heard 2022), Country of the Young (Dublin Youth Theatre MOAF 2021), Solarpunk (Greenhouse Theatre, 2021), As You Like It (Assistant Director, Greenhouse Theatre, 2021) and man·i·fest (TCD Debut Festival 2021).

Ellen Kirk is a Dublin based designer working across theatre, film and music. Recent theatre credits include: Set and costume design for Prickly by Caoimhe O’Malley (Mill Theatre Dundrum, 2024), This Solution by Shaun Dunne ( Dublin Theatre Festival, 2023), MOSH by Rachel Ní Bhraonaín (Dublin Fringe Festival, 2023) G.O.D. by Lee Coffey (Dublin Theatre Festival, 2022), Party Scene by Phillip McMahon and Philip Connaughton (Cork Midsummer Festival and Project Arts Centre, 2022) and Lúminaria by Fionnuala Gygax (Irish tour, 2022). Costume design for Club Salty by THISISPOPBABY, 2023, Privilege: The Musical by Louise White (Mermaid Arts Centre, 2022), Straight to Video by Emmet Kirwan, directed by Phillip Mc Mahon (Landmark Productions, Civic Theatre and Project Arts Centre, 2021); set design for Masterclass by Brokentalkers and Adrienne Truscott (Project Arts Centre, Dublin Fringe Festival, 2021, Awarded Fringe First Award, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2022; Sydney Opera House, 2024), On A House Like A Fire by Michelle Read and Brian Keegan (Smock Alley, Bealtaine Festival, 2021); scenography and costume design for Sauce by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth (Bewley’s Cafe Theatre, 2022), You’re Still Here by Murmuration (Dublin Castle, Dublin Fringe Festival, 2021), Rescue Annie by Eoghan Carrick and Lauren Shannon Jones (Peacock Stage, Abbey Theatre, Dublin Fringe Festival, 2021), Will I See You There by Murmuration (Meeting House Square, Dublin Fringe Festival, 2020); costume/styling for Pasolini’s Salò Redubbed by Dylan Tighe (Peacock Stage, Abbey Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival, 2019); AV design for minefield by Clare Monnelly (Nominated for Best Design at Dublin Fringe Festival, 2019); costume and set design for Nothing But a Toerag by Aisling O’Mara (Smock Alley, 2019); scenography and costume for Summertime (Dublin Fringe Festival 2018, Drogheda Arts Festival and Abbey Theatre Young Curators Festival, 2019). Ellen is co-founder and designer with Dublin based collective Murmuration. Recent film production design credits include Room Taken directed by TJ O’Grady Peyton (Cork Film Festival, 2023), Balor Hall directed by Rioghnach NÍ Ghrioghair (RTE Storyland) , An Encounter by Mark O’Halloran, directed by Kelly Campbell (Winner of Academy Award qualifying Grand Prix Irish Short at Cork International Film Festival, 2021 and Best Irish Short, Dublin International Film Festival, 2022) and Don’t Go Where I Can’t Find You by Rioghnach Ní Ghrioghair (Judges Special mention for Best Irish short, Dublin International Film Festival). Ellen was nominated for a 2022 Aer Lingus Discovery Award at the Dublin Film Festival for her work in production design for film and was nominated for a Kinsale Shark Award for her production design work on Don’t Go Where I Can’t Find You.

Suzie Cummins is a Dublin-based lighting designer for theatre, dance and events. She has worked as a designer in Ireland for almost a decade. Suzie was the 2023 recipient of Druid’s Marie Mullen Bursary, an award for female theatre artists working in the fields of design, directing and dramaturgy. Suzie was the associate lighting designer on the Druid O’Casey trilogy in 2023. Lighting design credits include: Super Bogger, Danty Dan, Tarry Flynn, Trad (Livin’ Dred); Lost Lear, The Wrens (Dan Colley & Riverbank); The Making of Mollie, The Race (The Ark); Absent the Wrong (Once Off Productions); Every Brilliant Thing (Abbey Theatre); After Taste (National Youth Theatre/Abbey Theatre); The Secrets of Primrose Square (Pat Moylan Productions); Minseach (Sibéal Davitt); Before You Say Anything (Malaprop); Minefield, Charlie’s a Clepto (Clare Monnelly); Harder, Faster More (Red Bear). Associate lighting design credits include: The Giggler Treatment (The Ark); Party Scene (Thisispopbaby); Solar Bones (Rough Magic).

Jennifer O’ Malley is a composer and sound designer based in Dublin who is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. She primarily composes electronic and orchestral music, often blending the two using her cello (among other acoustic instruments) and synthesisers while her sound design explores moving from organic to non-diegetic sound worlds.Some of her theatre credits as a composer & sound designer include Summertime (Dublin Fringe, 2018), Iphigenia In Splott (Smock Alley Theatre, 2018), We Can’t Have Monkeys In The House (Peacock Theatre, 2019), Sauce (Bewley’s Cafe Theatre, 2019 & 2021), Restoration (Project Arts Centre, 2020), Venus In Fur (Project Arts Centre, 2020), SHIT (Project Arts Centre, 2020), Will I See You There (Dublin Fringe, 2020), Before You Say Anything (Dublin Fringe, 2020), Ar Ais Arís (Brightening Air, 2021), Goodnight Egg (Civic Theatre, 2021), Where Sat the Lovers (Dublin Fringe, 2021), Masterclass (Dublin Fringe, 2021), You’re Still Here (Dublin Fringe, 2021), Absent The Wrong (Dublin Fringe, 2022), Good Sex (Dublin Theatre Festival, 2022), Haunted/If These Wigs Could Talk (Peacock Theatre, 2022), Not A Word (Galway Arts Festival, 2023), Dog Shit (Dublin Fringe, 2023), Haus of Fash Hun (Dublin Fringe, 2023) and Spréacha Soar (Draíocht, 2024). Kilian Waters & Dan Keane (Arcade Film) | Film Design Arcade Film Ltd. is an award-winning film production company. We are Dan Keane and Kilian Waters; cinematographers, editors and creative producers with years of experience and success across short film, TV, documentary and video design. From concept to final delivery, we cover all aspects of the production process. As a company Arcade believes in the creative power of collaboration and our passion is working with established and emerging talent to develop diverse and challenging stories. Some recent projects include the Screen Ireland funded Focus short Lamb directed by Sinéad O Loughlin, which premiered in competition at the the Tribeca Film Festival 2022, and went on to win Best Irish Short at DIFF; the short Headspace by Aisling Byrne which won Grand Prix Best Irish Short and the Short Film Candidate for the European Film Awards 2023 at the Cork International Film Festival 2022 and Is Olc an Ghaoth, a TV drama directed by Tom Sullivan for TG4 which was nominated for the Royal Television Society, Screen Ireland Drama Award 2021. We have just finished production on Misread, the winner of the 2022 Ardán/ RTÉ Short Film Commission, written by Aisling Byrne and directed by Aisling Byrne and Sinéad O Loughlin. We are proud to be developing several new drama projects from 2023-2024 working with an expanded team of creatives and producing professionals, including The Community with Aisling Byrne.

Enda Moran is a dynamic artist and educator, holds degrees in Social Care and Youth Arts, along with certifications as a Laban Dance and Craft and Design specialist. Seamlessly blending his roles as a teacher, facilitator, and performer, Enda integrates community work with his artistic practices. Committed to bridging communities and performing arts, he employs immersive techniques for transformative experiences. Whether through solo performances or collaborations, Enda aims to unite art and society, catalyzing meaningful engagement. His creative vision inspires authentic expression, fostering unity and empowerment. Through innovative approaches, Enda invites audiences to actively participate in the artistic process, nurturing creativity and connection.

Shane O’ Reilly previous dramaturgy work includes Jean Butler (What We Hold), Liz Roche (Dēmos, Here Trio), Emma Martin (Birdboy), Emma O’Kane (Jockey) and Paul Curley (Bake!). His recent theatre writing work includes: Gold in the Water (Project Arts Centre, Mermaid Arts Centre); Swansong (Barnstorm Theatre Company); Windowpane (The Abbey Theatre – Dear Ireland); The Water Boys (Equinox Theatre); Näher…closer, nearer, sooner (Liz Roche Company); FOLLOW, FARM and CARE (co-created with WillFredd Theatre) and The Matador (Fringe: Show in a Bag). Shane’s film writing and directing includes: The Water Boys (KCat), PAL (Culture Night 2020); Näher (co-created with Liz Roche and directed by Alan Gilsenan).

“Run of the Mill are a company who are changing the narrative on disability, one role at a time” – Irish Independent

This production is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, with support from Project Arts Centre, Maynooth University and field:arts. 

Join us for a post-show talk with the cast and creative team of Real Life on Thursday 27th of June!