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Theatre: Making A Mark at axis:Ballymun as part of Dublin Fringe Festival

17 Sep 2019 (Past)

axis:Ballymun, 9 Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9.


Making A Mark is a documentary style, autobiographial piece that places the voice and lived experience of an artist with an intellectual disability front and centre stage.

Mark Smith, is a 38 year old emerging practitioner with Down Syndrome, who spent 6 months of 2018 in residence at the Axis Theatre, Ballymun. Here, he worked alongside leading documentary artist Shaun Dunne towards developing his practice in contemporary solo performance and autobiographical work.

Mark comes from a community that has placed him on a pedestal – somewhat blind to the battles he also faces behind closed doors. Having achieved at a high level all his life (Special Olympics ‘99), Mark was always told that he was “special”, and due to this constant reiteration, he has often felt obliged to keep the darker, more troubled aspects of his experience a secret from those around him who would prefer to focus on his far-reaching achievements.

Making a Mark aspires to articulate Mark’s incredible journey to date alongside the the darker, more complicated facets of his lived experience.

Mark has competed in the World Games, played King Lear before, packed houses and packed bags for 20 years in Tesco’s… But that’s not even half the story.

Part live interview, part self-led confessional, this is Mark’s life and he’s ready to take a seat at the table.

Ambition, disruption, grief and frustration.

He hopes this show will be the making of him.
Are you ready for what he has to say?

This production is funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Kildare County Council with support from Axis Ballymun, Arts & Disability Ireland and Project Arts Centre. Developed in conjunction with Run of the Mill Theatre,  Abbey Theatre 5X5 initiative and at FRINGE LAB with the support of Dublin Fringe Festival. Shaun Dunne is a resident artist of Project Arts Centre.

Performance Information
17th September, 2019
1.30pm and 7.3opm
Tickets: €16 / €14 concession
Duration: 60 minutes

Written + Directed by Shaun Dunne
Featuring + Co-Created by Mark Smith + Aisling Byrne
Lighting Design by Eoin Winning
Set Design + Costume Design by Sarah Foley
Sound Design by Jack Cawley
Photography + Film + Visual Design by Luca Trufarelli
Graphic Design by Kate Heffernan
Stage Managed by Gordon Bell
Production Managed by Sebastian Pizarro
Produced by Killian Coyle

Making a Mark

He hopes this show will be the making of him. Are you ready for what he has to say?


Categories:
Artists
Audiences

Tags:
Aisling Byrne
axis:Ballymun
Dublin Fringe Festival
Making a Mark
Mark Smith
Run of the Mill Theatre
Talking Shop Ensemble