Freda O'Byrne

Artistic Director at Tragic Carpet
Actor, Assistant Director, Director, Dramaturge, Theatre Director and Puppeteer

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Member Since:
May 2012

Last online:
> 2 weeks ago

Invites sent:
6

About Freda

Physical/visual movement based theatre maker, puppeteer, puppetry director, actor, artistic director.
I am a physical theatre director, performer, writer and puppeteer. I am artistic director of Tragic Carpet Visual Theatre which explores stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

I have a performing arts degree and have trained in mask, clowning, movement based visual theatre. I recently completed a 10 week intensive puppetry course at Curious Puppetry in London.

My most recent production was as solo artist on Rendition – a performance / installation piece of visual theatre and puppetry directed at adults for Hidden Door Festival. This marks the first stage in the development of Rendition as a full length stage play.

Prior to that I directed ‘Simple Times’ at North Edinburgh Arts - a reminiscence piece for Luminate Festival that focussed on stories about growing up in Glasgow - and ‘Diaboliad’ - based on the short story by Mikhail Bulgakov for Courtyard Theatre, Hoxton.

I am a social activist and practice in several community arts organisations: Scatterboxfilms – a film making group set up to develop independent film making and associated technical and creative skills particularly, but not exclusively, with young people. I support First Bite Youth Theatre with lighting design and stage management at its annual productions at North Edinburgh Arts, The Big Project in Broomhouse, Cameron House in Prestonfield.

I am a trustee for several grassroots organisations: Playbase.org.uk (Chair) an early years charity, The Field Duddingston an urban community woodland, meadow and orchard project; Prewired.org a free to attend under 19s coding club.

I am also intensely interested in technology and how it can be used to improve life, lives and life chances. I am passionate about ways of learning, about the importance of play in the early years, and about lifelong learning - both my own and other peoples.

Unique traits: Movement based visual theatre maker and puppeteer. very experienced in working on community based projects and with young people. Teacher of ensemble theatre.

Gender:
Female

Body type:
Average

Hair color:
Short

Eyes:
Brown