Founded in 2007 Fregoli is a Galway based company that aims to produce and perform energetic and stimulating work that appeals to a large cross section of the public.

The company has seen many changes and developments since the early years, with many of these artists having developed careers in other areas and/or as performers internationally. Fregoli has been shaped by the energy, spirit, talent and generosity of all the artists who have worked with and continue to work with the company.

This photo of Mohammed Khader feeding his pigeons during the 22 day offensive ending in January, Camp Jabali, north of Gaza, 16th of March 2009, taken by visual journalist Eman Mohammed continues to inspire and drive my research. Check out more of her stunning work at the link

Rana is a Palestinian artist from Gaza, known as as ‘the sand girl’ she has being making sculptures from sand at the back of her house in Gaza for several years. I have been in contact with Rana online for over a year and she has been very helpful and a true inspiration, it is a joy to see her creativity and work which you can find on her Facebook page and on Instagram and Youtube

Tanya is a theatre artist and performer from Mexico City, she has been working in theatre and film since 2006 and in 2013 formed the company Labios Rojos (Red Lips). Tanya is an incredibly talented, energetic, warm and generous performer who I am privileged to have worked with on Mi Cuerpo Mi Casa. Check out more of her work at this link

Astrid Hadad is a vocalist and performance artist from Mexico. Her work as a solo performance artist took off in 1995 with her show ‘Heavy Nopal.’ The term ‘heavy nopal’ refers to the Mexican cactus distilled to make tequila and is how Hadad describes her style of performance. Her shows follow the format of a cabaret, with dazzling costumes which appropriates iconic images in Mexican culture to reconfigure their meanings. I am priviledged to have worked with Asrtrid on Mi Casa Mi Cuerpo and been inspired by her spirit, warmth and experience as a performer. Check out her work at the link.

Theatre57, founded in May 2018, is an artist-led membership organisation representing over 100 independent theatre artists based in Galway City and County. Theatre57 advocates for investment in sustainability and infrastructure to support independent theatre. They believe in community, sustainability, creativity, inclusivity and co-operation. I am co chair of this organisation and this community both drives and supports my work and spirit as an artist.

Macnas is an award-winning internationally acclaimed spectacle theatre company based in Galway. Macnas create large-scale, events for audiences, communities and festivals across the globe, transforming cities, venues and playgrounds of the imagination. I have performed with Macnas on several occasions in Galway and Dublin and am fascinated with this company’s ability to transform and re imagine landscapes. see website for more

This practice based research is funded by the Irish Research Council, the national funder of excellent research across all disciplines. It invests in discovery research and in ground-breaking ideas that address major societal challenges, funding a diverse range of excellent individual researchers across all career stages.

Further information is available at www.research.ie, @IrishResearch, #LoveIrishResearch

My research is based at a place close to my heart NUI, Galway, supervised by Dr Miriam Haughton, and generously supported by all the department staff. The Discipline of Drama and Theatre Studies was established at NUI Galway in 2014 and is part of the School of English and Creative Arts. Please see the link below for more information.