LIFT is a new artist development platform in partnership with the ISACS Network and Wexford Arts Centre. Supported by Arts Council Ireland and County Wexford Arts Department. This new partnership will offer mentoring and creation space for ground based circus artists via a residency.
LIFT aims to provide space, support, expertise and room for circus artists to develop their practice. The residency will take place in Wexford Arts Centre from 22 – 26 November 2021.
We are delighted to announce that the LIFT Artist for 2021 is Michelle Thoburn.
Along with a bursary of 500 euro, plus accommodation costs, Michelle will also receive:
- The use of theatre space at Wexford Arts Centre.
- Support of the Arts centre staff in the form of skill share sessions and mentoring support for technical, marketing and production management.
- The use of a hot-desk at the ISACS Network office for desktop research and subsequent reports/applications.
About Michelle
Acrobat and flipper, Michelle aka Mish Mash grew up in Carrickfergus and got her skills in acrobatics by running from the cops during the weekly riots. She then trained at Flic circus school in Italy, specialising in doing flips and climbing on people.
She co-founded and toured with Woven Circus Collective, and is currently a member of Siolta Circus and has toured the UK, Ireland and Europe with their show Seeds. Recently she co-created new show Snatch and Grab – a DIY punk circus show, as one half of female duo Snatch Circus. She aims to use performance to bring awareness to issues and leave the audience questioning the ‘status quo’.
What Michelle is looking forward to
I’ll use this residency to work towards creating a new acrobatic and movement based solo piece. I’ll be working alongside an outside eye, trying different props and experimenting with both old and new ideas and themes.