Unscripted and Unchoreographed

In today’s episode, we sit down with Macha Shewolf – a neurodivergent, queer, multi-disciplinary ritual artist from Cork – to talk about her journey through creativity, challenge, and resilience.

Macha opens up about navigating the difficulties of studying in college while living with ADHD and dyslexia, and how these experiences have shaped both her perspective and her art practice. She also shares how motherhood has become a powerf...

On this week's episode we chat to Susie Lamb. Susie is an actor, writer, singer and performance working from Kilkenny and Dublin. She has acted in Theatres all over Ireland in conventional and unconventional spaces in both English and Irish. Recent acting credits include Sanctuary, A Witches Tale from AMC TV (2024); The Local, The Big Chapel (Asylum); The M House, National Tour and Dublin Theatre Festival (Equinox); Holy Father...

This week, we’re joined by Martha Tribe, a contemporary dance artist whose work explores the intersection of movement, environment, and geography. Originally from South East England and now based in Dublin, Martha shares how their background in folk dance, classical ballet, and somatic practices has shaped their choreographic voice.We talk about:How Martha’s love for the environment influences their choreographyThe role of geograph...

On this week's episode we chat to Dr Tanya Dean, who is a Lecturer and Programme Coordinator for the B.A. (Hons) in Drama (Performance) in the Technological University Dublin Conservatoire. She completed her Doctor of Fine Arts with Yale School of Drama in 2016, where she also received her Master of Fine Arts in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism in 2011. Tanya has worked extensively as a freelance dramaturg on numerous scripts,...

This week, we’re joined by Holly Hughes — a writer, poet, actor, and multidisciplinary artist — to talk about her sharp, hilarious, and thought-provoking debut show:
I Want To Speak To Your Manager (How I Was Radicalised And Became...Karen).

Originally from West Cork and now based in Limerick, Holly’s work spans poetry, spoken word, creative nonfiction, and performance. She’s been published widely in Irish magazines and newspapers si...

On this week's episode we chat to Vithoria Escobar. Vithoria is a Brazilian multidisciplinary dance artist based in Dublin, Ireland. Deeply rooted in community and collaboration, she actively contributes to the growth and diversification of the Irish dance scene. Her movement vocabulary is a fusion of diasporic street dance styles, including Dancehall, Afrodance, and Brazilian Funk. Vithoria's versatility has allowed her to...

Today we’re joined by Julie Lockett, a dance artist originally from Essex, England, now living and working in Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Tipperary. We discuss how Julie’s work is deeply influenced by nature and the land around her, and how living in an ecovillage shapes her creative practice.

Julie shares her experience of raising children while working as a freelance artist, offering honest insights into the challenges and rewards of...

On this week's episode we speak to Ciara Carroll, who is a rising Irish actor and multidisciplinary artist with a firm belief that art is for everyone. A 2021 graduate of TU Dublin's Conservatoire of Music and Drama, Ciara has already worked alongside some of Ireland's most celebrated talents, including Michael Fassbender, Robert Sheehan, Brendan Grace, and Pascal Scott. Most recently, she starred in Blindboy Boatclub&#...

This week on the podcast, we speak with Ayesha Mailey and Kelly Quigley, ensemble members of Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company.
Following up on our previous episode with Echo Echo’s Artistic Director, Steve Batts, we dive deeper into the challenges currently facing the company and its members as the future of Echo Echo remains uncertain.

Ayesha and Kelly share their personal journeys—beginning in the company’s youth dance programme...

In this week’s episode, we speak with Steve Batts, Artistic Director of Echo Echo Dance Theatre, about the latest—and deeply concerning—news that the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Echo Echo’s primary funder, has withdrawn 100% of its funding for the company after 20 years of support.

This devastating news has shocked the arts community not just in Derry and Northern Ireland, but across the entire island.

Steve shares his perspect...

On this week's episode we chat to Ali Clarke is a multidisciplinary artist and cultural producer. Artistically her passion lies in creating immersive and interactive performances that explore the interplay between the audience and performers. Her work is grounded in the physical practices of contemporary dance, however, she has further expanded her exploration beyond disciplinary boundaries, gaining extensive experience in cont...

On this week’s episode, we chat with Saorla Rodgers, an actor and comedian.
Saorla completed her training at the College of Dance and the Gaiety School of Acting.

We discuss the importance of including the arts—such as drama and dance—as Leaving Certificate subjects in schools.

We also delve into the behind-the-scenes of her show Porno, which was performed at the Scene + Heard Festival 2025.

Saorla will be performing in Who’s the C...

On this week's episode we spoke to Anatolii Liaskalo, born in Dnipro, Ukraine, and began dancing at the age of four at a local folk dance school. As a folk dancer, he performed regularly and, at 18, began studying jazz techniques. At 23, he joined the Theatre and School of Contemporary Dance POTOKI, led by Elena Budnitskaia, where he danced for three years. A graduate of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University in psychology, An...

In this week's episode, we chat with the incredible Johely Guilarte — a passionate salsa dancer and choreographer originally from Venezuela and now based in Dublin, Ireland. Johely shares her inspiring journey, from discovering her love for dance at a young age, to competing and performing around the world, and the challenges she faced when moving to a new country.

With over 20 years of experience in Latin and urban dance styles...

This week on the podcast, we chat with Ryan O'Neill, a dancer from Northern Ireland.We discuss his journey to becoming the artist he is today, the challenges artists in the North face, and how he once dreamed of becoming a jockey. Ryan is performing in Scorched Earth, a piece by Luke Murphy, as part of the Dublin Dance Festival. The performance takes place on the 23rd and 24th of May at 7:30 PM at the Project Arts Centre. Ryan is a...

In this week’s episode, we chat with Vitor Bassi, a dancer and actor.
We discuss his move to Ireland to take a break from performing, and how the pandemic led him back to dance and to rediscover his passion for physical theatre. Vitor shares his insights on the importance of mental health and self-care. He is currently performing When the Moon Spun Round at the 2025 Dublin Dance Festival.Connect with us:⁠Instagram:⁠   / confessi...

On this week’s episode, we chat with Robyn Byrne — a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and movement director from the Midlands. Robyn works across dance, theatre, film, circus, and outdoor spectacle. She was a 2023 Next Generation Award recipient and is currently a Tipperary Dance Associate Artist.

Her choreographic works include:

O Before / (film, 2020)Glimmer (dance installation, 2022)MOSH (2023) — which won Best Ensemble at the ...

On this week's episode, we’re thrilled to chat with Amy O’Donnell, a powerhouse in the Irish arts scene with nearly two decades of experience. Originally from Oldcastle, Co. Meath, Amy began her journey with Druid Theatre Company and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, before moving into key roles such as Administrator and General Manager at Irish Modern Dance Theatre.

Amy spent ten dynamic years in London, where she worked on large-...

In this week's episode, we chat with Daniela Poch Marquez, an actor, dancer, and movement director whose work spans performance, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Daniela holds a BA in Acting (Practice and Body Studies) from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and is currently pursuing an MFA in Movement Directing and Teaching at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Her artistic practice weaves ...