Audio and Participatory Work

Every Child is a video project made with members of the 2023-4 Baboró Children’s Panel and artist and facilitator Aoife Delany Reade. It is made in solidarity with children around the world whose rights may not be being upheld as they should be, and was commissioned by Baboró International Arts Festival for Children as part of their 2024 Festival.

We asked the children to talk to us about Chidlren’s Rights, why they think they are important and how they should be protected. As well as discussion, we asked them to draw in response to these conversations. The words and images featured in the video are all their own.

Audio was recorded and edited by me, visuals were animated and editied and music composed /played by Aoife Delany Reade.

The Shape of Quiet Feelings, October 2023

What do you feel when you imagine climate change? What colour is that feeling? What shape?

Myself and Jessica Wilson (Australia) asked children around Galway to use their imaginations to respond to these and other questions, creating their own ‘climate creatures’ as a creative response to the climate emergency. Their ideas and imaginings are reflected in The Shape of Quiet Feelings. an immersive theatrical installation and workshop, exploring what children’s feelings about climate change.

It was commissioned by Baboró International Arts Festival For Children, developed as part of my work as Artist in Residence and featured as part of the 2023 Festival.

Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands - Commissioned by Baboró International Arts Festival for Children and featured as part of the festival and Galway Bay FM

Winner of GOLD IMRO Award 2022 for Music, Arts and Culture Documentary)

A bittersweet audio documentary exploring the thoughts and experiences of children during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Original Music by Anna Mullarkey, Additional Editing by Derek Conaghy

Playmaking, October 2019 and July 2021 (digital)

Part 1, 2019: Facilitation of the development and writing of 11 plays by children in Longford and Roscommon between 9 - 12 over the summer holidays.

These were then staged and produced in Backstage Theatre and Roscommon Arts Centre with a professional cast and design team. Part of Artist in Residence 2019 in association with Roscommon Arts Centre.

Part 2 Teens, 2022: Facilitation of 6 plays by 13 - 18 year olds. Due to Covid lockdown these could not be fully staged for an audience, but professionally staged and filmed. The films were then screened in December 2022.

PROJECT PUPPET

A collaboration during the Covid 2020 lockdown between Maisie Lee and Fionnuala Gygax, supported by Backstage and Pavilion Theatres for Criunníu ná nÓg 2020.

The video series showed children how to create puppets, bring them to life and then create a story and show with them to share with their families at home.

Glimpses of the Glens, a documentary piece made in Cushendall, County Antrim as part of Big Telly Theatre Company's Creative Shops project, July 2017

Glimpses of the Glens is a documentary piece looking at the rural community of Cushendall in County Antrim. Farmers share their stories of the land, alongside others from the area giving us a wider sense of Cushendall's history and landscape. Glimpses of the Glens was Produced by Maisie Lee for Big Telly Theatre Company Creative Shops Project, Cushendall. Project director -Caitriona McGlaughlin Music by Runabay With thanks to: Sarah Louise Conaghan, Margaret Graham Andrew McAlister Paul McAlister Una Rowan Terry Mcbride Hector McDonnell Adrian Black Austin Short The Cushendall Sewing and Knitting Group Chris and Rose Ward JJ, Kevin and Eilish McDonnell John Blaney

Revolution Radio for 2FM, broadcast Easter Week 2016 for the 1916 Centenary

Hometroots - A Community Radio Play made by, with and for the people of Laois. As part of MIRARI Productions Artist in Residence at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaois

A radio play by, for and about the people of Laois. Written by Kate Heffernan. Directed by Maisie Lee of MIRARI Productions. Performed by the people of Laois. Recorded at Dunamaise Arts Centre and at various locations throughout the county during 2014.

2 Radio Dramas for Alive-O Productions broadcast on Dublin South FM

Moore Than A Garden is a radio-drama tells the true story of a father and son, David and Frederick Moore, who curated the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin for 84 years combined (1838 – 1922). Both David and Frederick recount events, of historical and botanical significance, experienced during their time at the Gardens. These events included the Queens visit to the gardens; the horrific time of the potato blight; the construction of the Curvilinear buildings; the first cultivation of orchid seeds, as well as personal tragedies in their own lives. Both father and son overcame difficult situations during their time as curators but they never gave up. This 32 minute audio docu-drama is an inspiring, historical and educational piece, and is suitable for all the family.

The Silver Branch is a dramatic realisation of four Irish Mythological Tales: Fintan MacBochra, the first man of Ireland – a shaman and shape-shifter; Fionn Mac Cumhaill and The Salmon of Knowledge; Queen Maeve and the Brown Bull of Cooley and How the boy Setanta became Cú Chulainn. The stories are woven together by a fifth part – lyrical narration, dramatised by two voices; one male, and one female representing the Seanachaí. They invite us as the listener to become carriers of The Silver Branch ourselves, so that we in turn can continue to keep this oral tradition of Ireland’s history and folklore alive. This drama is engaging, entertaining and educational piece, that is suitable for all the family. This programme was made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The Silver Branch ------------------------- Produced by: Camille Donegan of Alive-O Productions Directed by: Maisie Lee Written by: Órla McGovern Brian Ó Tiomain Owen O’ Gorman Eilis Mernagh Eoin Rogers Sound by: Dumnac Goulet Additional Score by: Niceol Blue Featuring: Will O’ Connell Órla McGovern Barry Barnes Daniel Costello David Fennelly Michael Bates Marie Ruane Neill Fleming Sarah Jayne Quigley Robert Donnelly