Biography
Skills Statement
Acting: Roles of all ages, disciplines and accents, Improvisation. Mask work, puppetry and clowning. Street
Dance: Competent at Tap, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Folk, Country, Historic and Choreography
In my work as a storyteller and animateur I Theatre.have over the last 5 years developed stories around several themes in many different settings for:
• Life Long Learning setting for Bournemouth Borough and Borough of Poole Councils
• Libraries in Bournemouth and Poole
• Cultural Hub Early Years (Bournemouth and Poole)
• Creative Partnerships Early Years (Southampton)
• Poole Museum's Education Service
• Promenade performances through my own Ghost Walk around old Poole Town
My work as a freelance drama practitioner involves me in a wide range of settings with groups of professionals, children, young people and adults. This involves a great degree of flexibility, creativity and professionalism in assessing the needs of each client group and providing an educational, stimulating and entertaining drama experience.
Quotes:
“Michele O’Brien excels in at least six parts ……. wonderfully ignites both halves of the show”. The Stage, March 2008
“Michele O’Brien commanded the audience and held us spellbound for an hour”: Tales from the Operahouse (Victorian Music Hall), August 2006.
“The performance was great….it actually seemed like I was there!”
Kayleigh, Year 5, ‘Queen Elizabeth I and The Tudor’s project.
“I’m sure I haven’t told you enough how much I value your input to the Next Stage project. Your commitment is so total and so focused that I am able to relax in a way I never could”. Tony Horitz, Co-Director Bournemouth Theatre in Education, December 2006.
Thanks for your performances - brilliant as usual! Poole Librarian, Familiy Learning Week Storytelling 2005.
Training
1984 – 1987 Mountview Theatre School. Three year Acting course
1982 – 1984 Drama 2 years at Poole college of FE with Terry Clark
various courses with:
Cardboard Citizens February 2007
CandoCo Dance Co. February 2006
Moveable Feast September 2004
Current Practice
Designing, writing and performing Cultural Hub inter-generational project on the life of Suffragette, Minnie Baldock January-March 2009.
Creative Partnerships Early Years storytelling in collaboration with Michael O’Leary and Teresa Grimaldi - Southampton City Council, December 2008-April 2009.
Early Years Borough of Poole (Cultural Hub) Storyteller using the Story Square child-led technique
Russell-Coates Museum, Bournemouth, playing Lady Annie Russell-Coates to engage children and local people in an Edwardian Christmas through storytelling, historical facts and parlour games.
Rural Tour of ‘To the Marrow’ by Sean Aita for Forest Forge Theatre Co Jan 2008 – April 2008
Bournemouth Theatre in Education freelance actor/facilitator using Forum Theatre.
My work with Btie has included:
• Work with the Co-Director, delivering an Early Years programme 2006, see publication ‘The Way Through the Forest’, BTiE.
• Histories projects (Greeks, Egyptians, Celts, Vikings).
• Drugs Education projects (Maisy and the Garden Shed, nominated for a Mentor UK Award 2006.
• DATCO and TOPs’ Theatre Companies (Physically Disabled and Learning Difficulties) productions (Assistant Director for 2005/6 ‘Wizard of Oz’, 2006/7 ‘Aladdin’ productions; Stage Manager ‘A Christmas Carol’ 2005/06,).
• Issue based work (Homophobia, Bullying in the Workplace, Racism, My Name is Syvitri) for units within Bournemouth Borough Council.
Granny Cousins Ghost Walks of Old Poole Town. For the last 12 years during July and August I have run a business telling the stories of the Town as the last ‘Knocker Upper’ in Poole.
Improvisation Work with ‘Direct Theatre’, Director: Pete Courtney.
Commissioned Work
Bournemouth Borough Council Arts Development Unit:
• ‘Kindertransport’ storytelling, 2006
• ‘Evacuees’ storytelling with Kate O’Malley 2006
• Library Book Project: Facilitation and Storytelling of local people’s recollections of ‘Libraries’ August 2006
East Dorset and Bournemouth Councils ‘Sting in the Tale Storytelling Festival’ August 2006, Promenade Performances:
• Lady Margaret Beaufort and the Tudors in Wimborne
• Marie Lloyd Victorian Music Hall, Opera House, Boscombe
• Lady Russell-Coates, Russell-Coates Museum and Lower Gardens, Bournemouth
Borough of Poole Museum Education Service
• Animateur for various historical interactive projects (Celts, Victorian Kitchen, World War II, Archaeology, 1997-2007
• ‘Gifted and Talented’ local History Summer Project, 2004-2007
• Waterloo Estate in Poole - ‘Village to Estate’ ,2003 In collaboration with Bournemouth University, Poole Museum, local schools and Community Liaison Workers to create an oral history as a celebration of 50 years of the first residents moving onto the estate.
Russell-Coates Museum (Creative Workshops for Children) as a storyteller and theatre animateur, using storytelling techniques I worked with children to create their own stories animated by Lucy Jackson and Andy Coombes in order to produce four animated films with the theme of ‘The Olympics’ and ‘Romans’. This culminated in the DVD: Art in ‘Animation 2008’.
South and East Dorset PCT
• INSET Training on ‘Risk Taking’ various groups of professionals
Previous Work Experience
Having completed drama training in Acting. I embarked on a journey to achieve Equity status riding an elephant in a Mexican circus.
Quicksilver Theatre Co’s. 1987/88, Director: Philip Tyler
• National tour of ‘ Beulah’s Box’. A play for children 6 years and over, a positive exploration of diversity. Role: Mavaurneen
Permutt and Hadley 1987, Director: Tony Clayton
• National tour of ‘Cat and the Canary’ as understudy/ ASM.
• National tour of The Importance of Being Earnest directed by Lou Stein, understudy/ASM.
Genius Productions 1988, Director: Lou Stein
• ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ ASM Understudy.
English Teaching Theatre Company 1989
• European tour as a company member I used my talent and skills to entertain and educate the many age groups learning English. This lead to no less theatrical tours around Europe and nationally.
The Grove Theatre Company 1989, Director: Karen Gerald, Ti Green
• ‘Braeman Coffee’. Role: Louisa.
• ‘Innana’ at the Edinburg Festival, Role: Ninsburbar UTU
• ‘Three Women; Sylvia Plath’. Role: Woman I
BBC Radio 4, 2000 Max Hillman’s play ‘Cocaine’
LAMDA Adult and Children Education tutor, Bournemouth Borough Council.
Personal Statement
I have a passion for the past and an interest in realising the power of performance in learning, and the effect drama has on children’s understanding and ability. I have often touched audiences whether very young or old and lead them into my creative world.
I am a loyal dedicated person with an abundance of enthusiasm and energy for theatre and arts. I am a good time- keeper. I love watching an audience become totally absorbed sharing with you that moment of imagination, the journey of the story, believing in your reality.
Personal Details
Name: Michele O’Brien
Address:21A Wharfdale Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, BH12 2ED.
Tel 01202732270 (ex dir
Mobile 07977969080
Email Michele.ob@ntlworld.com
Hair: Red
Eyes: Green
Height: 5’5”
Build: Medium
Playing Age: All ages (6, literally!!!!!! I have played young children in many roles).
I have a clean full driving licence with 8 years no claims.
References
Tony Horitz State of Play Arts
Tel: 07584163876
Heather Young Bournemouth Borough Council Library Service
Central Library, Bournemouth
Tel: 454827 email: heather.young@bournemouthlibraries.org.uk
Tracy Cooper Arts Development Officer, East Dorset District Council
East Dorset Council, Furzehill, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 4HN
Acting: Roles of all ages, disciplines and accents, Improvisation. Mask work, puppetry and clowning. Street
Dance: Competent at Tap, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Folk, Country, Historic and Choreography
In my work as a storyteller and animateur I Theatre.have over the last 5 years developed stories around several themes in many different settings for:
• Life Long Learning setting for Bournemouth Borough and Borough of Poole Councils
• Libraries in Bournemouth and Poole
• Cultural Hub Early Years (Bournemouth and Poole)
• Creative Partnerships Early Years (Southampton)
• Poole Museum's Education Service
• Promenade performances through my own Ghost Walk around old Poole Town
My work as a freelance drama practitioner involves me in a wide range of settings with groups of professionals, children, young people and adults. This involves a great degree of flexibility, creativity and professionalism in assessing the needs of each client group and providing an educational, stimulating and entertaining drama experience.
Quotes:
“Michele O’Brien excels in at least six parts ……. wonderfully ignites both halves of the show”. The Stage, March 2008
“Michele O’Brien commanded the audience and held us spellbound for an hour”: Tales from the Operahouse (Victorian Music Hall), August 2006.
“The performance was great….it actually seemed like I was there!”
Kayleigh, Year 5, ‘Queen Elizabeth I and The Tudor’s project.
“I’m sure I haven’t told you enough how much I value your input to the Next Stage project. Your commitment is so total and so focused that I am able to relax in a way I never could”. Tony Horitz, Co-Director Bournemouth Theatre in Education, December 2006.
Thanks for your performances - brilliant as usual! Poole Librarian, Familiy Learning Week Storytelling 2005.
Training
1984 – 1987 Mountview Theatre School. Three year Acting course
1982 – 1984 Drama 2 years at Poole college of FE with Terry Clark
various courses with:
Cardboard Citizens February 2007
CandoCo Dance Co. February 2006
Moveable Feast September 2004
Current Practice
Designing, writing and performing Cultural Hub inter-generational project on the life of Suffragette, Minnie Baldock January-March 2009.
Creative Partnerships Early Years storytelling in collaboration with Michael O’Leary and Teresa Grimaldi - Southampton City Council, December 2008-April 2009.
Early Years Borough of Poole (Cultural Hub) Storyteller using the Story Square child-led technique
Russell-Coates Museum, Bournemouth, playing Lady Annie Russell-Coates to engage children and local people in an Edwardian Christmas through storytelling, historical facts and parlour games.
Rural Tour of ‘To the Marrow’ by Sean Aita for Forest Forge Theatre Co Jan 2008 – April 2008
Bournemouth Theatre in Education freelance actor/facilitator using Forum Theatre.
My work with Btie has included:
• Work with the Co-Director, delivering an Early Years programme 2006, see publication ‘The Way Through the Forest’, BTiE.
• Histories projects (Greeks, Egyptians, Celts, Vikings).
• Drugs Education projects (Maisy and the Garden Shed, nominated for a Mentor UK Award 2006.
• DATCO and TOPs’ Theatre Companies (Physically Disabled and Learning Difficulties) productions (Assistant Director for 2005/6 ‘Wizard of Oz’, 2006/7 ‘Aladdin’ productions; Stage Manager ‘A Christmas Carol’ 2005/06,).
• Issue based work (Homophobia, Bullying in the Workplace, Racism, My Name is Syvitri) for units within Bournemouth Borough Council.
Granny Cousins Ghost Walks of Old Poole Town. For the last 12 years during July and August I have run a business telling the stories of the Town as the last ‘Knocker Upper’ in Poole.
Improvisation Work with ‘Direct Theatre’, Director: Pete Courtney.
Commissioned Work
Bournemouth Borough Council Arts Development Unit:
• ‘Kindertransport’ storytelling, 2006
• ‘Evacuees’ storytelling with Kate O’Malley 2006
• Library Book Project: Facilitation and Storytelling of local people’s recollections of ‘Libraries’ August 2006
East Dorset and Bournemouth Councils ‘Sting in the Tale Storytelling Festival’ August 2006, Promenade Performances:
• Lady Margaret Beaufort and the Tudors in Wimborne
• Marie Lloyd Victorian Music Hall, Opera House, Boscombe
• Lady Russell-Coates, Russell-Coates Museum and Lower Gardens, Bournemouth
Borough of Poole Museum Education Service
• Animateur for various historical interactive projects (Celts, Victorian Kitchen, World War II, Archaeology, 1997-2007
• ‘Gifted and Talented’ local History Summer Project, 2004-2007
• Waterloo Estate in Poole - ‘Village to Estate’ ,2003 In collaboration with Bournemouth University, Poole Museum, local schools and Community Liaison Workers to create an oral history as a celebration of 50 years of the first residents moving onto the estate.
Russell-Coates Museum (Creative Workshops for Children) as a storyteller and theatre animateur, using storytelling techniques I worked with children to create their own stories animated by Lucy Jackson and Andy Coombes in order to produce four animated films with the theme of ‘The Olympics’ and ‘Romans’. This culminated in the DVD: Art in ‘Animation 2008’.
South and East Dorset PCT
• INSET Training on ‘Risk Taking’ various groups of professionals
Previous Work Experience
Having completed drama training in Acting. I embarked on a journey to achieve Equity status riding an elephant in a Mexican circus.
Quicksilver Theatre Co’s. 1987/88, Director: Philip Tyler
• National tour of ‘ Beulah’s Box’. A play for children 6 years and over, a positive exploration of diversity. Role: Mavaurneen
Permutt and Hadley 1987, Director: Tony Clayton
• National tour of ‘Cat and the Canary’ as understudy/ ASM.
• National tour of The Importance of Being Earnest directed by Lou Stein, understudy/ASM.
Genius Productions 1988, Director: Lou Stein
• ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ ASM Understudy.
English Teaching Theatre Company 1989
• European tour as a company member I used my talent and skills to entertain and educate the many age groups learning English. This lead to no less theatrical tours around Europe and nationally.
The Grove Theatre Company 1989, Director: Karen Gerald, Ti Green
• ‘Braeman Coffee’. Role: Louisa.
• ‘Innana’ at the Edinburg Festival, Role: Ninsburbar UTU
• ‘Three Women; Sylvia Plath’. Role: Woman I
BBC Radio 4, 2000 Max Hillman’s play ‘Cocaine’
LAMDA Adult and Children Education tutor, Bournemouth Borough Council.
Personal Statement
I have a passion for the past and an interest in realising the power of performance in learning, and the effect drama has on children’s understanding and ability. I have often touched audiences whether very young or old and lead them into my creative world.
I am a loyal dedicated person with an abundance of enthusiasm and energy for theatre and arts. I am a good time- keeper. I love watching an audience become totally absorbed sharing with you that moment of imagination, the journey of the story, believing in your reality.
Personal Details
Name: Michele O’Brien
Address:21A Wharfdale Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, BH12 2ED.
Tel 01202732270 (ex dir
Mobile 07977969080
Email Michele.ob@ntlworld.com
Hair: Red
Eyes: Green
Height: 5’5”
Build: Medium
Playing Age: All ages (6, literally!!!!!! I have played young children in many roles).
I have a clean full driving licence with 8 years no claims.
References
Tony Horitz State of Play Arts
Tel: 07584163876
Heather Young Bournemouth Borough Council Library Service
Central Library, Bournemouth
Tel: 454827 email: heather.young@bournemouthlibraries.org.uk
Tracy Cooper Arts Development Officer, East Dorset District Council
East Dorset Council, Furzehill, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 4HN