ABOUT AMADAN
ABOUT US
Premier theatre company on the island of Ireland specialising in the artistry and mastery of clown and buffoon as a tool to entertain, enlighten and challenge audiences
Amadan Ensemble makes devised theatre specialising in the practice of Clown & Bouffon. We create and produce original work that takes risks, touring productions throughout ROI and NI since 2014. Our work is accessible, stimulating, relevant, entertaining and challenging for audiences, encouraging interaction and engagement.
Amadan Ensemble facilitates workshops on a variety of theatrical styles and practices for community groups, children, & professional artists including hosting masterclasses by renowned practitioners Creative directors Gemma Mae and Jude are committed to providing accessible world class theatre training for local practitioners at affordable rates across NI. Through workshops and residencies they support emerging artists to create and develop original work, providing them with skills and career development opportunities to showcase their work.
Amadan Ensemble makes a positive and meaningful contribution to the mental health of arts practitioners and the community through our training and performances, community engagement and ensuring our work has a meaningful impact on our audience members and participants.
Amadan Ensemble exists today because of the dedicated commitment from Creative Directors Gemma Mae Halligan and Jude Quinn. Together they’ve grown and developed what we now know as Amadan Ensemble. Gemma Mae and Jude are collaborative theatre makers, continually evolving their practice and their roles, touring with their work both nationally and internationally. Amadan creates training opportunities for local performers to learn alongside master practitioners, encouraging a culture of continued performer training. They make work in a way that respects their relationship and their role as parents, continuously collaborating with other artists and art forms, showcasing work that is often political but not politically motivated.
GEMMA MAE HALLIGAN
JUDE
QUINN
Co-founder & creative director of Amadan. Gemma Mae has worked as an actor for over 10 years with companies including Rough Magic, Lyric Theatre Belfast, Tinderbox, the Abbey Theatre, Kabosh & Centre Stage. Gemma Mae has trained in Critical Response Process with Liz Lerman & has trained with Mick Barnfather, Philippe Gaulier & Eric Davis. With Amadan she has been able to combine this with a love for design & making, as well as experimenting with devising & directing.
Co-founder & creative director of Amadan. Jude has worked as an actor for over 10 years with companies including Prime Cut, Ulster Theatre Company, Riverside Theatre, ART NI & Cahoots NI. Jude also worked as a Clown Doctor which lead him to train at L'Ecole Internationale de Theatre Jacques Lecoq & Ecole Philippe Gaulier. With Amadan he has been able to put his unique skills to work & concentrate on his favourite performance styles - Clown & Bouffon.
Current Board Members & Trustees:
Alan Richardson, Deirdre Lynskey, Janice Kernoghan-Reid,
Eithne Venney, Sarah Louise Conaghan, Andrew Moore.
Company number NI657533