“In Our Shoes” Theatre Company: Performance of "You Wish"

In April 2009 Anne walked into her local bank to open an account. Their response was: “… we are advised not to open accounts for people like you”.  Needless to say Anne was furious, which she expressed in one of the most memorable letters ever written.  Anne is the secretary of a group of self advocates called the Peoples First Group, who meets every Tuesday to discuss the interests and the challenges of their lives. Anne’s actions inspired the Group to start theatre as the platform of their abilities not their disabilities and a vehicle to address some of their issues.  They called it “In Our Shoes” and asked local theatre-based learning company, toBE to support and manage their project.  And that was only the beginning…

The essence of Theatre is to challenge and transform the audiences’ beliefs. The word ‘theatre’ means ‘to behold’; here’s where we can look at our-self, others, the community and how it inter-acts, facing the deep dilemmas of humanity.

We baptised ‘In Our Shoes’ as healthy theatre because it integrates both intellectual abled people and intellectual disabled people into one community.  Three months after its birth, we found the first Theatre Company in Ireland that:

(1)    Will Perform its first Production “You Wish…” in 6 venues during the months of January and February 2010;
(2)    Aims to be sustainable with ongoing productions;
(3)    Can be a blue-print for others to set up similar theatre companies in Ireland
(4)    Will be a platform for people with intellectual (dis-)ability to become a theatre professional, on or off stage
(5)    Is the platform for Theatre companies in Ireland to source theatre professionals with intellectual disability for their own Productions

Between October 2009 and February 2010 the integrated cast and crew will work weekly together towards its first Production called “You Wish…” touring 6 venues in its native County Kildare.

The project has applied for the O2 ability awards and is kindly sponsored by The Muiríosa Foundation/SCJMS Moore Abbey with secured grant aid from the National Lottery, The Moat Theatre, Irish Life & Permanent and KARE. 

The cast & crew will be paid on a profit-sharing basis for its’ first production.

This project can not happen without the courage of Anne, the vision of Peoples First Group, guided by Theresa Doyle, nor the many enthusiastic professionals who are giving their expertise and time to this project for little to no money, but plenty of reward.

Schedule of Dates:

Saturday 30th January 2010 The Riverbank Theatre Newbridge @ 8pm
Sunday 31st January 2010 The Moat Theatre Naas @ 8pm
Matinee Friday, 5th February 2010 Athy Arts Centre @ 12am
Evening Friday, 5th February 2010 Athy Arts Centre @ 8pm
Saturday, 6th February 2010 The Dunamaise Arts Centre @ 8pm
Matinee Friday, 12th February 2010 Moore Abbey Hall @ 12am
Evening Friday, 12th February 2010 Moore Abbey Hall @ 8pm
Evening Saturday, 13th February 2010 Moore Abbey Hall @ 8pm

For more information, donations or interest, please contact:

Petra Costigan-Oorthuijs
Production Manager “In Our Shoes”

087-2335165