About

Hello, Welcome! My name is Maria Tivnan, I am an independent theatre artist based in Galway who has spent most of my life telling stories through words, images and movement.

I recently completed a PhD with the University of Galway on the performance and politics of home, which focused on how theatre and performance artists create and challenge meanings of home in Galway, Gaza and Mexico city. I have been working in theatre and performance professionally for 17 years in many roles including writer, director, producer and performer. I am a co-founder and the artistic director of Fregoli Theatre Company (2007 to present) and was the co-chair of Galway theatre based collective Theatre57 (2019-2022).

I have worked with Macnas as a performer since 2010 and am currently the director of the Macnas Youth theatre (2022-). My interest  has always been original work and devising, based on co creation and collaboration. Recently my work investigates the interaction of performance in public space (urban and rural),  landscape,memory and home.

I am interested in creating performances in response to people and spaces, and love outdoor and street theatre, devising, and collaboration with communities, as well as creating work for traditional theatre spaces. I am from Boyle in Roscommon, I came to Galway City when I was 17 to study a at the University of Galway, which introduced me to the drama society and great friends and artists. I have been living here since with my husband, two children, and dog. Our environments as a source of inspiration and performance space is particularly important to me. We are always on storied ground!

I have worked in and am available for creative mentorship, dramaturgy, schools and communities projects, casting, directing, and performance.