Stage set for ‘Where’s My Art’

An upcoming theatre performance reflects on the lived experiences of artists with a disability and their representation in the creative sector.

The one-hour performance called ‘Where’s My Art? is developed with creatives from Suisha Inclusive Arts/Cope Foundation in partnership with actor Ciarán Bermingham and supported by the Community Foundation for Ireland, Cork ETB, Cope Foundation, Cork City Arts Office and Cork Arts Theatre.

Eoin Nash, Manager of Arts and Creative Arts Therapies with Cope Foundation, explained: “The show features 15 talented artists together with Cope Foundation staff members, Cork ETB staff and students from MTU Cork School of Music.

“It is so important that characters with disabilities are played by people with disabilities, when the part is played by a non-disabled actor it goes against inclusivity and says ‘we can tell your story better than you can’,” added Eoin.

Aoife O’Sullivan is one of the artists taking part: “The big thing in my life is rapping and acting and singing and songwriting, it’s a huge goal for me to be involved in ‘Where’s My Art?’, it makes me feel alive and I can be myself on stage.

“It's important to me because I love being on the stage and acting and rapping, I love to perform and my disability doesn’t hold me back. Everybody has a unique talent of their own, whether they have a disability or not. Disability or no disability, it doesn’t matter, just go and live your dreams,” concluded Aoife.

‘Where’s My Art?’ will begin at 8pm from 24-28 May at the Cork Arts Theatre. Tickets are available from corkartstheatre.com.