REMOTE CONTROL

Our Remote Control Showcase as part of Galway Theatre Festival was on Thursday 4th May 2023 at 8:30pm in Nun’s Island Theatre.

What is it? A 3-month Artist Development Programme for Galway based artists developed as part of Artistic Director James Riordan’s Theatre Artist in Resident program with the Town Hall Theatre along with Galway Dance Project.

Who’s it for? Artists based in Galway City and County who are creating their own work in the area of Theatre, Dance, or Visual Art and who are interested in finding new ways to engage with their audiences. Times are a changing and how independent artists engage their audiences as theatres remain dark and big groups are scattered has become a question of not only communication but survival. There will be a minimum of 1 Dance Artist supported through GDP and at least 1 artist working in the County (supported by Galway County Council Arts Office).

What’s the Deal? €1500 per artist, in house and online workshops and networking opportunities with industry professionals and individual, remote national/ international mentor-ship with suitable arts practitioners. The aim of the programme is not to produce finished pieces but to develop practice, explore ideas and build networks. It will be facilitated by Brú’s Artistic Director, James Riordan.

Supported by the Arts Council through the Theatre Artist in Resident award with additional support from Galway County Arts Office, and Galway City Arts Office.

Remote Control #3 (2022)

In September 2022, Emerging and Mid career artists from Galway City and County were invited to the stunning setting of Inis Oirr for our first residential Remote Control. Past Participants Jenni Nikinmaa, SJ Woods, Krystyn Fontanella and Eibhleann Caffrey were joined by new participants Joesph Hendel and Anna Doyle. Along with dedicated time and space, artist fees and one on one mentorship sessions with AD James Riordan and Producer Jill Murray, artists were given workshops by Sarah Jane Scaife (Company SJ) and theatre maker Emma O’Grady, We were based out of Áras Éanna and participants had access to studios and the theatre during their time.

Remote Control #2 (2021)

Participants:

Aifric Bruen is a performance artist and musician from Galway. She graduated from UCD in 2018 with a Bachelors in English and Drama. Her practice is informed by the idea of a duality within the self; the primal beast versus the mechanical. As a part of Remote Control she will create video and sound work, exploring through dance, the kinetics of function in farming landscapes of the rural West, as a means of reflecting on the ethics of a modernised, yet somewhat ancient Ireland. She will be mentored by Olwen Fouéré.

Eibhleann Caffrey is a writer and director based in Galway City. While making use of verse and rhyme, Eibhleann has used her voice to explore issues facing Irish teens and the influence of social media in our day to day lives. Eibhleann will be focusing on expanding her narrative voice to build a play which performs the world inside our phones. She will be mentored by Oisin Kearney and Micheal Patrick.

Siobhán Manson is a Galway based dancer and choreographer. She trained with the Hession school and spent over 10 years as principal dancer with Riverdance. Siobhán's current work is focusing on women's lived experience through arts practice. With the Remote Control programme, Siobhán is going to further explore the use of spoken word in dance choreography. She will be mentored by Eddie Kay,

Jenni Nikinmaa is a playwright & theatre-maker originally from Finland, currently based on Inishmore. She holds a master's degree in Playwriting and Dramaturgy from NUI Galway and was shortlisted for the Alpine Fellowship Theatre Prize in 2020. During the Remote Control residency, Jenni will explore how immersive and socially distant theatre works in dialogue with the magic and stories of Inishmore. She will be mentored by Zoe Seaton of Big Telly.

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REMOTE CONTROL #1 (2020)

The chosen participants were (L-R) SJ Woods, Fionnuala Doyle-Wade and Kristyn Fontanella

Kristyn Fontanella is a dancer and choreographer residing in Galway, Ireland. As part of Remote Control she wants to investigate new ways of integrating dance and theatre, specifically comedic performances into her creative practice. This programme will allow her the opportunity to garner information and skills from theatre practitioners in other fields, and she, in turn, can adapt that into movement which will be more relatable to the general public. She was mentored by New Art Club (U.K)

SJ Woods is a theatre-maker and creative producer. Her project will focus on the women’s experiences of the Bon Secours mother and baby home in Tuam, Co. Galway. SJ will be using the Remote Control residency to research the experiences of the women inside the home and develop ways in which their stories can be presented as an immersive theatre experience. She was mentored by Louise Lowe of Anu Productions.

Fionnuala Doyle-Wade is a contemporary dance artist from Seattle, and currently based in Galway. As a part of Remote Control, Fionnuala will be creating three choreographic scores exploring how we relate to physical space and how physical space informs the way we move, as dancers and humans. The three scores will be shared on various platforms with an invitation for anyone to create and film their own variation. She was mentored by dancer and choreographer Oona Doherty.

Galway Dance Project is delighted to commission Fionnuala Doyle-Wade as part of the programme.

Remote Control is funded by the Arts Council Theatre Artist Residency Scheme, with additional support from Town Hall Theatre and Galway Dance Project. 

Who are we?

James Riordan: 

James Riordan is an Artist in Residence at the Town Hall Theatre, and is the Artistic Director of Brú Theatre, with their most recent production of Selvage earning him an Irish Times Theatre Award nomination for Best Actor. He is also a Performance Director for Macnas, and is currently collaborating with Darren O’Donnell in creating a new theatrical sport for Baboró.

Town Hall Theatre: 

The Town Hall Theatre is at the epicentre of Galway’s cultural activity, providing a platform and supportive environment for artists and arts organisations. In addition to presenting visiting national and international companies and artists, the venue’s extensive annual programme proudly features the work of a host of (professional and amateur) performers, companies and arts organisations from across the city and county. It is the busiest Arts Council funded venue outside of Dublin and a vitally important piece of the national cultural infrastructure for touring productions.

Galway Dance Project: 

Galway Dance Project is the main resource for professional dance practice in Galway city, county and beyond. Galway Dance Project provides professional development dance classes and workshops, as well as choreographic and performance opportunities for dance artists. Galway Dance Project supports and promotes the development of dance, and advances dance as a prominent and valued art form. Galway Dance Project is a not for profit organisation, managed by a voluntary board and a part time General Manager. Galway Dance Project is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, and Galway city and county councils.

Mentors:

In 2020, as part of Remote Control #1, we were delighted to welcome in Oona Doherty, Louise Lowe of Anu Productions and New Art Club (UK) as our three mentors this year and were delighted to see how well they worked with participants.