We finish the performance at the same time. We all came from backstage. (In-Visibility)
I am Larissa Brigatti and I am co-coordinator of WoW Group, participant and evaluator of the WoW Project. I have just finished Drama & Theatre Studies at Trinity College Dublin where I focused on performing, playwriting, directing and socially engaged theatre practice. I will stay in Trinity for another year to study M.Phil. Theatre and Performance. I took part in the WoW Project because I believe it is a relevant approach to look at (re)presentation of women in the arts and in society. It also explores different social voices which strengthens the concept of multiculturalism in contemporary theatrical performances. I assisted the WoW Group creative development and wrote ‘In-Visibility’, a piece within Love and Charity that explored the living experiences of being backstage in theatre and in society. I performed the piece with the WoW Group audios. OT Platform is highlighting key aspects of ethical representation by giving the participants their own voices and welcoming them to creatively engage and tell their own stories on Irish stages.
WoW Group is part of the Women on Women Project. The group is consistent of eight women from the Robert Emmet CDP migrant programme and the general area of Dublin 8. Some of the participants live in temporary accommodations and shift from one place to another in the unseen spectrums of Irish society. The group meetings invite them to explore, express and develop some aspects of their inter-cultural, multilingual paths as well as to comment on their lived experiences. It underpins the minority cultural aspect of contemporary Irish society under the practice of socially engaged theatre. Additionally, the creative engagement portrays a representation of different cultures in Ireland for the Irish stage—languages: Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, Irish, Oromo, Bangla, Kurdish, Italian, English.
I am Wafaa Abushark from Palestine. I was a teacher in my country for sixteen years and have a degree in General Science. It is easy for me to connect to students. I always wanted to do things to make my students creative people. I have been in Ireland for two years. When I came here I volunteered in Libyan school teaching science and maths. I volunteer in ICHH homeless organisation in Dublin 1. I also volunteered in Palestine. I like to hear and meet people and to make other people happy. In the WoW project we work together well as a group. I like to meet different people from different places and cultures. Culture connects you to others and we communicate through art and culture. Art is a new way of connecting and is an easy way to connect with others. It is important to work on this women’s project. We do many creative things, support each other and talk about what is on our minds. Woman is the heart of society but maybe is not represented so.
Hi my name is Siber Habib, I am a woman, migrant and mother and I’m interested in art because it is good for women as it has the potential to represent strong women and that’s why I am part of WoW group.
My name is Anna McCann, I am an actor and I am born and bred in Dublin. I have been making work with Outlandish Theatre Platform since 2016, when we performed YOUtopia at the Coombe Hospital and the Abbey Theatre. I joined WoW Group because I believe women can find new ways to communicate through art.
My name is Sultana, I am in Ireland twelve years now. I am from Pakistan, Islamabad originally and I love making clothes, traditional and anything else. At the moment I am making facemasks, I would like to make costumes and work on a textile project for the WoW project.
I am Jorge CereetaI am from Ethiopia, I am part of WoW Group. I like being asked about my country, my people, it is important to me to talk about the violence towards the Oromo people. There is too much violence towards the Oromo people. We have to make art to try and make change. Art is good because women need to speak up.
I am Neo Florence Gilson, born in Kimberley South Africa 43 years ago, currently living in Ireland as an immigrant. I am a poet, singer, writer, storyteller and motivational speaker. I have released an audio CD titled “Behind The Veil ” in May 2013 which has received radio airplay on various radio shows in South Africa. My play titled Three Monkeys and Dikeledi which was featured in Project for African Folktale Onstage Plays for Pre-Teens, an anthology compilation. I am a member of Poetry Africa and Samro in South Africa, member of Women In Library in Glasgow and a member of WoW in Ireland. Furthermore I have performed poetry at various platforms in SA and UK. I am a qualified Pharmacist Technician, public relations officer and have completed short courses in creative writing.
I joined WoW group as part of Outlandish Theatre Platform because this project provided a meaningful voice for asylum seekers through the expression of arts. Personally this WoW project was a lifeline to feel relevant, sane, contribute to society and integrate.
Dallal and Sabrena are delighted to take part in WoW and is interested in the arts and growing her understanding of representation of women.