MAN DOWN: Workshop

This workshop is free for ticket holders and only available to those who hold a ticket to the performance. Please book as places are limited.

Alongside their production of Man Down, R.W.D in association with Hawk’s Well will host an hour-long workshop on stage on the day of the performances from 17:30 to 18:30 for those interested in stagecraft, performance and theatre. In this workshop, participants will explore themes and ideas of the show through movement, physicality and dance. They will go behind the scenes and look at the set design, sound design and costume pieces to gain insight into all the components that come together to create a full-length production.

This workshop is designed for participants (16+) with an interest in performance with some dance and theatre experience. Please note a high level of dance is not compulsory although we do recommend a small previous knowledge of movement whether through acting or dance classes to gain the most from this workshop. The workshop will begin with a warm-up, followed by learning excerpts from the show. The workshop will be led by company dancer and facilitator Matilda Maginnis who will introduce you to some of the creative tasks she uses in the studio with her dancers.

Duration 1 hour.

This workshop is free for ticket holders and only available to those who hold a ticket to the performance. Please book as places are limited.

Matilda Maginnis. Tilly (she/her) is a freelance dance artist based in the UK. Tilly has worked throughout the UK & Ireland as a dancer in performances for the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games alongside projects with companies such as Rees Dance, FRONTLINEDance, DRIFT, Ascension Dance, iiD and R.W.D. Tilly also creates her own dance work as co-artistic director of H&T Creative where they offer enriching dance & art experiences. Additionally, Tilly is passionate about teaching, this spans from mainstream and SEN schools to youth centres, leisure centres and private dance schools. Tilly enjoys teaching all ages and abilities, including seated dance, dance fitness and providing inclusive opportunities for all.

Tilly graduated from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance with a First Class Honours Degree in 2018. Following this she joined post-graduate company Emergence where she completed her Masters in Dance Performance & Professional Practices, graduating with a Distinction in 2019.

Róisín Whelan. Róisín Whelan is a choreographer and facilitator who creates highly physical and technically demanding work with strong narratives that are accessible to all. Her recent choreographic work includes The Glasshouse, commissioned by Ballet Ireland; The Parting Glass commissioned by The University of Malta, The Tipsy Flamingo commissioned by Valencia Dancing Forward, The Galaxy of Occupations commissioned by Tipperary Dance and a Dublin City Council Creative Hubs Commission, and Man Down funded by The Arts Council Project Award 2022, touring award November 2023.

Roisin holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts and Master of Performance (Distinction) from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Before setting up her own company, she performed extensively with Black Box Dance Company (Denmark), Matthew Bourne’s award-winning New Adventures (UK), and Bregenz Festspeile (Austria). Róisín is the recipient of the inaugural Propel Award, a three-year-long artist development and mentorship program funded by the Strollers Network, Ireland’s largest consortium of Arts Centres.