New artists in residence are announced by Hawk’s Well
THE Hawk’s Well Theatre has announced two recipients of the Time At The Well artist residencies.
Actor and playwright Miriam Needham and poet and producer Eithne Hand will take up their new rols which will be funded by Arts Council Ireland. Miriam Needham, a native of Manorhamilton, a Lecoq-trained actor, theatre-maker and voiceover artist. This year she is bringing her newest production, Snapshot, to fruition. The play is set in the early days of the first lockdown and is inspired by interviews with locals about their during that time.
On her Hawk’s Well Theatre Residency award, Miriam said: “I am delighted to continue working with the Hawk’s Well Theatre. I’m so glad to have the opportunity to present ‘Snapshot’ to the public this year, as well as working on other projects.
“This residency provides me with structure, stability, and support – three things that are invaluable to any artist. I am grateful to the Hawk’s Well Theatre and to the Arts Council for making this happen, and excited about the possibilities it unfolds.”
Meanwhile, Eithne Hand will write and produce a project for the Hawk’s Well during her residency, which is called Are We There Yet.
The project is based on historical sites along the new N4 road which runs from Castlebaldwin to Collooney.
The road takes in townlands such as Mullinabreena, Ardcurley, Cloonamahon, Doorly, Carrowkeel, Kingsbrook, Toberbride, Carrownagark and Tawnagh as well as crossing the Turnalaydan and Drumfin rivers.
Eithne will walk this new road before the traffic arrives.
The project will be to make a response to the landscape and stories of this new area so that when the road opens, there will already be an artistic record of this novel approach to Sligo.
Speaking about her artist residency, Eithne said: “From a narrow road with white crosses marking accident spots to a brand new dual carriageway sweeping towards one of the most picturesque views on the island – this N4 extension is something I really feel should not go undocumented.”
“It would be the easiest thing to just rush along the new road, saying ‘are we there yet, are we there yet’ but I’d like toconsider where this new road brings all of us. From the megalithic tombs of Carrowkeel to the stunning Gothic Revival church spire of Collooney – the new stretch deserves the attention of not just the engineers and the men and women who have worked on building the road all through Covid, but also the attention of the arts community. I’m so grateful to the Hawk’s Well Theatre and the Arts Council for making this project possible.
“As a team, we will all discover stories and make new music and art relevant to this landscape – and we will share our responses with the people of Sligo.” Miriam and Eithne take to five the number of artists in residence with the Hawk’s Well for 2021.
Earlier this year Niamh McGrath, John Carty and Cathy Jordan were also announced.
Speaking about her the residency has benefitted her so far, Niamh McGrath said: “Personally I wouldn’t be writing a show or putting together sketches right now without their support.” “It has definitely given me the confidence to try new mediums and if the audience can’t come to the theatre to be entertained of an evening, then we shall bring the entertainment to you,” she added.