Theatre and performance create spaces for joy, for moments of discovery, for connection, encounter and for humanity to rediscover itself and shine through

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.

I am interested in home, memory, the body, space, and place. How do we find our place in the world, how do we occupy space, and how may our space be occupied?Performance is a very powerful lens from which to view space, place and belonging.

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Current Projects

Hill of the Hares

In Sept 2024 I received the Agility Award from the Arts Council Ireland to draft a script a script for theatre on the themes of home and belonging, that incorporates the influence of culture and landscape through the use of the Irish Hare and its associated mythology. The process will involve research, writing, mentoring sessions with four artists, and planning for future development

Promotional Image for Fregoli’s Angels, August 2021

Promotional Image for Fregoli’s Angels, August 2021

 
Performing with Macnas, Galway for Danse Macabre 2019. Photo by EMJ camera

Performing with Macnas, Galway for Danse Macabre 2019. Photo by EMJ camera