A truly inclusive development process takes time - one of our most precious commodities. While we are seeing positive steps towards the development of more inclusive arts practice, there are still many challenges and obstacles in the way of truly inclusive development, presentation and touring practice.
Our panel of creatives discuss, sharing the continuing challenges as well as learnings and small wins along the way.
Chaired by Dr Charlotte McIvor, University of Galway.
Eleanor Walsh
Eleanor Walsh (she/her) is a performer and an autism and disability advocate. She graduated from DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama with a BA in Drama (Performance). Recent credits include Yellow (Jody O’Neill), Daughter of God (Asylum Productions), What I (Don't) Know About Autism (Abbey Theatre), Home: Part One (Abbey Theatre) and Dear Ireland: Part One, These Four Walls by Sinéad Burke (Abbey Theatre). She also consults on Relaxed Performance and autistic representation and inclusion. Eleanor is a Youth Ambassador for AsIAm and is featured in Be Inspired! Young Irish People Changing the World by Sarah Webb, published by O'Brien Press.
Gráinne Pollak (Safe to Create)
Gráinne Pollak is Project Manager for Safe to Create, a Dignity at Work programme looking to transform workplace culture and practices, and to provide safe and respectful working conditions for those working in the Irish arts and creative sectors. A multilingual arts producer and project manager from Dublin, she holds an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy from Goldsmiths, University of London and has produced new work and international tours for organisations, companies and festivals across Ireland and the UK, including ANU, Landmark Productions, MoLI, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rambert, the Gate Theatre, LIFT (London International Festival of Theatre) and Dublin Fringe Festival. She has worked in arts administration roles in venues across Dublin including Science Gallery International, Dublin Theatre Festival, the Abbey Theatre, the Ark and the National Concert Hall.
Jody O'Neill
Jody O'Neill is an autistic writer, performer and disability advocate. She was Theatre Artist-in-Residence at UCC and Cork Opera House from 2022-24. She is actively engaged in artist development, offering dramaturgical input, mentorship and practical support in developing work to other artists. Jody advises various organisations on accessibility and relaxed performance. She recently founded The Working Group, an online work and peer support space for neurodivergent artists. In 2024, Jody was a key partner in the inaugural Neuroconvergence event. In 2023, Jody co-produced Neurofestivity, a festival of neurodivergent art as part of her residency at UCC and Cork Opera House.
Kieran Coppinger (Blue Teapot)
Kieran Coppinger has been working on stage and screen for over 15 years. He was the lead in Sanctuary an award winning play and film that travelled the world. He credits include Lysander from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Deagan from Into The Badlands on TV. and He is currently in rehearsal with a new children’s play and will be leading inclusive theatre workshops in schools across Galway City and County
Niall Cleary (Graffiti Theatre)
Niall Cleary is the Artistic Director and CEO of Graffiti Theatre in Cork. For Graffiti he has recently directed: Grace by Jody O’Neill, Humans: A Robot Musical by John McCarthy, The Sleep that Ceased to Settle and This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing by Finegan Kruckemeyer. Niall has directed numerous productions for Youth Theatres including The National Youth Theatre 2023 (YTI/The Abbey). He has presented work at festivals including; Cork Midsummer, GIAF, Baboró, Origins NYC and Connections (National Theatre, London). He is Chair of TYAI and former chair of YTI. He is a founding board member of the Cork Theatre Collective.
Petal Pilley (Blue Teapot)
Petal Pilley has a lifetime of experience in theatre having grown up in a travelling theatre company touring extensively throughout Europe. In her role as Blue Teapot’s Artistic Director, she has extensive experience of commissioning new plays, theatre direction, selecting creative projects and people. Petal has clear vision, determination and flexibility in achieving goals and enjoys working in a collaborative team environment.
Dr Charlotte McIvor (Chair)
Dr Charlotte McIvor is a Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Galway and a co-founder of Active* Consent, Ireland’s most recognized providers of consent education in secondary, third-level, further education, and professional training contexts nationally and internationally. Recent publications include Contemporary Irish Theatre: Histories and Theories (with Ian R. Walsh, 2024) as well as The Methuen Drama Handbook of Interculturalism and Performance (co-edited with Daphne P. Lei, 2020) and Interculturalism and Performance Now: New Directions? (co-edited with Jason King, 2018). Her wider research is focused on inclusive arts practices and theatre/performance for social change in Irish and international contexts.