Following on from the official launch of the Siobhán McKenna Archives at NUI Galway this symposium includes a panel discussion in honor of McKenna on ‘Women Theatre-makers Now!’ which will discuss the position of women theatre-makers four years after the Waking the Feminists campaign was started to advocate for equality for women theatre-makers. Panelists will include Lian Bell (Stage Designer and Waking the Feminists), Ionia Ní Chróinín ( Moonfish Theatre Company) and Dr. Tanya Dean ( TU Dublin and co-author of the Gender Counts report). Lelia Doolan and historian Dr. Margaret McCurtain will be in conversation remembering the life of Siobhán McKenna followed by an interview with Garry Hynes on her recollections of working with Siobhán, while Professor Lionel Pilkington will deliver a lecture on McKenna’s acting and activism. The symposium will draw to a close with a short performance of a devised work-in-progress piece in the Irish language inspired by archival materials and performed by students of the BA in Drama, Theatre and Performance at NUI Galway.

Celebrating Siobhán McKenna Symposium Schedule

9.45: Arrival

10.00: Official Launch of Siobhán McKenna Archives

10.45-11.10: Coffee

11.10-12.00: Panel Discussion: "Women Theatre Makers Now!"

12.00-13.00: Lunch Break ( Note no lunch provided)

13.00-13.30 : ' Remembering Siobhán':

A conversation with Lelia Doolan and Dr. Margaret MacCurtain

13.30 -14.00: 'Working with Siobhán'

Garry Hynes interviewed by Prof. Patrick Lonergan

14.00 -14.10 Short break

14.10-15.10: 'Siobhán McKenna: Acting and Activism'

Keynote Lecture by Prof. Lionel Pilkington

15.10-15.25: Coffee

15.25-16.15: Devised Performance as Gaeilge based on McKenna Archive

Performed by students of the BA Drama, Theatre and Performance