ISSSD in association with Project Arts Centre
Skēnographia is a series of free online creative lectures, workshops and talks to showcase and engage with the broad and diverse range of voices and disciplines in the scenographic world. These will take place on a monthly basis, alternating creative workshops, lectures and practical talks.
This project marks a milestone in the growth of scenography education in Ireland, aiming to facilitate discussion, exploration and innovation as well as defining standards for visual rigour and best practices, along with the current necessities of design for performance.
It also aims to give voice to the often neglected behind-the-scenes sphere, from costume-makers to stage crew, making visible key information, new technologies and developments that are fundamental to the growth of scenography as an art form in Ireland.
These online masterclasses are announced on a monthly basis. Please, see details below of the next upcoming masterclass.
Next Online Masterclass
Run of the Mill Arts: Inclusive Approaches to Theatre Design
Date: Thursday 30 June, 2022
Time: 11am-1pm
Biographies:
Mark Smith is a performer and theatre maker originally from Mulhussey in Co. Meath, based in Celbridge Co. Kildare. Recent credits include Outside History (St. Patrick’s Festival 2021), Vulnerable (Dear Ireland 3, Abbey Theatre 2020, Official Selection Kerry International Film Festival), and Quarantine (Culture Night, 2020) in collaboration with Arcade Film. In 2022 he will star in the upcoming short film Headspace by Aisling Byrne (Virgin Media Discovers Shortlist, 2021, funded by the Arts Council of Ireland). Mark is a leading artist in the Run of the Mill ensemble performing numerous roles including Singing for Survival (Draiocht, 2019) and Reason in Madness: A reworking of King Lear (Draiocht, 2016). He is part of a team of writers who are adapting Singing for Survival as a feature film screenplay in collaboration with Arcade Film. Mark first performed Making a Mark at Dublin Fringe 2019 where he was nominated for Best Performer at the Festival and the show won the Judges Choice award as well as amassing nominations for Best Production and the Wilde Courage Award. Mark was the recipient of the AXIS Ballymun & Arts and Disability Ireland’s Playground Bursary in 2018 and participated in the Abbey Theatre’s 5 x 5 scheme in 2019. Mark is a graduate of Maynooth University where he studied anthropology, and in recent years has returned as a guest lecturer. Mark also works part time at the University and has recently celebrated his 20 year work anniversary at Tesco Maynooth. Mark also attends The Hub Day Service, supported by St John of God Community Services. As one of Ireland’s leading performers with Down Syndrome, Mark regularly advocates for greater representation for performers with disabilities, and recently appeared on Series 4 of The Tommy Tiernan Show to great acclaim.
Aisling Byrne is a theatre maker and facilitator with an emerging practice in film. She has worked extensively in the fields of socially engaged and inclusive arts and is the co-founder and Artistic Director of award-winning theatre companies Run of the Mill and Talking Shop Ensemble. Recent directing credits include- MORA (Acting Up Arts, 2022) Wunderground (Ceol Connected, 2022 National Tour) and Treehouse (Ceol Connected, National Tour 2021). Recent film credits include Headspace (Writer & Director, Virgin Media Discovers Shortlist, 2021), Vulnerable (Writer and Director, Dear Ireland 3, Abbey Theatre, Official Selection KIFF 2021), Outside History (St. Patrick’s Festival, 2021) and Quarantine (Culture Night, 2020). She collaborates regularly with Arcade Film and in 2020 was awarded a Bursary from the Arts Council of Ireland to complete a residency with the film production company. Other theatre co-creator credits include Making a Mark (Dublin Fringe, 2019), Singing for Survival (Draiocht, 2019), Rapids by Shaun Dunne (Dublin Theatre Festival, 2017, National Tour 2019), Split Ends by Lauren Larkin (Dublin Fringe, 2018) and Reason in Madness (Draiocht, 2016). Aisling holds a B.A. in Drama and Theatre Studies, a Postgraduate Diploma in Drama-in-Education and a Masters in Education Studies, all from Trinity College Dublin. She is currently Vice-Chair of the ADEI (Association of Drama in Education in Ireland) and lectures part time at Marino Institute of Education on the subject of Drama in Education. She also works on behalf of the Arts Council of Ireland’s Creative Schools initiative as a Creative Associate. She is passionate about making the landscape of the arts in Ireland a more inclusive one…and that’s how she hopes to make her mark!
Masterclasses
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS/PRESENTATIONS
– Remote Lighting Design: Pre-plotting Shows with Sarah Jane Shiels & Eoin Mc Ninch
– Design Brainstorming/Practical Making with Ger Clancy
– 3D Projection Mapping Workshop with Conan McIvor
– Gesture Drawing with Niall Laverty
CREATIVE LECTURES
– Design Led Theatre with Aedín Cosgrove & Molly O’Cathain
– Eco Scenography & Sustainability with Max Dorey & Saileog O’Halloran
– ‘When are we getting the real thing? Props & The Abbey Theatre” with Eimer Murphy
– Diversity, Inclusivity, Intersectional Accessibility & Inclusive Aesthetics in Theatre Design with Aisling Byrne
PRACTICAL BUSINESS / SELF EMPLOYED / SELF CARE
– Financial advice and planning for freelance designers with Peter Daly
– Emerging Designer Advice, Mentorship, Fees & Residencies with Lian Bell & Cian O’Brien
– Self-care/Mental Health / Time Management skills as a freelancer , facilitated by Claire Meaney & Maeve Butler at Waterford Healing Arts
Accessibility
You can find the latest information about Project’s accessibility here. Please do not hesitate to contact us at access@projectartscentre.ie or call 01 8819 613 .
Credits
Producer: Noelia Ruiz
Co-producers: Catherine Fay, Katie Davenport, Sarah Foley
Funding
Funded by the Arts Council of Ireland with a Theatre Resource Development Scheme Award.
Presented in association with Project Arts Centre