Hawk’s Well Theatre collaborate with 'Run of the Mill' Theatre on Shine Programme

We at the Hawk’s Well Theatre were delighted to collaborate once more with Run of the Mill Theatre Company from Kildare this week who visited our new studio space in Sligo to provide training and mentorship for its Shine programme. The studio is the home of Hawk’s Well Theatre’s Shine programme, a creative engagement programme for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Run of the Mill were initially engaged by Hawk’s Well in 2022 to train drama facilitators to feel comfortable working in this area. Since then the Shine programme has expanded and now offers weekly drama, music and dance workshops to 60 people in the area, giving them a platform to express themselves creatively. The Shine programme has grown and expanded thanks to the support of IHREC, MSLETB, the AIB Community Fund and Rethink Ireland. This programme is offered in partnership with HSE CI Connect, National Learning Network, and Down Syndrome Sligo.

The Hawk’s Well’s Shine programme has been running since 2022 and aims to achieve greater equality of accessibility by supporting people with intellectual disabilities to access theatre as participants. Run of the Mill are an award-winning inclusive arts organisation committed to supporting people with intellectual disabilities to access high-quality experiences in the arts as artists, makers and participants.

A drama workshop for young people with disabilities in the Sligo area took place here at the Hawk’s Well in April of 2022 facilitated by artists from Kildare based ‘Run of the Mill’ ahead of their show ‘Making a Mark’ at the theatre. A series of immersive drama workshops for young adults with intellectual disabilities were then provided, along with training for local artists to work in this area. Engagement with disability services, community groups and support services and artist training were key components of the programme.

Maeve McGowan, Progamme Manager of Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo commented:
“We are absolutely thrilled with the development of our Shine programme which has grown from a weekly drama workshop for 11 young adults in early 2023 to a vibrant creative engagement programme in 2026. We now have over 30 young adults taking part in our weekly drama classes and have music, dance and dj workshops running for a further 30 participants at our studio. Artist training was an integral part of this programme from the start. It feels like a full circle moment having Aisling, Mark and Kate from Run of the Mill back with us this week to train more drama facilitators and to advise us as we embark on our first full production with our Shine drama groups. The work that Run of the Mill Theatre are doing is incredible and we are honoured to have them back with us in Sligo to share their practice with us and mentor us on our journey.”

The Shine programme has provided training to date for 30 artists.

“Without the support of the funders of this programme from the start - IHREC and MSLETB, the Shine project wouldn’t have been possible. Funding from the AIB Community Fund and Rethink Ireland in the last two years has ensured the expansion of the programme . We aim to continue to meet the community's needs by providing various forms of artistic expression for all” – Nigel Gallagher, Marketing & Development Manager at Hawk’s Well

“The Shine program is in high demand, and its benefits for participants have been tremendous.” – Jane Tansey, Community Access Facilitator HSE