ADAM
MCGUIGAN
Theatre & Film Maker
CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT
Creative Engagement runs through all the projects I work on. For ease for use I have separated some specific projects to give a flavour of previous experience and projects I am passionate about.
Experience in project creation, consulting and project delivery with partners including: Irish Aid, UNICEF, UNHCR, the EU, USAID, British Council, HIVOS and the Zambian Government
Experienced workshop leader, Skilled in Theatre for Development, Participatory Process Performance (P.P.P.), Applied Theatre, devising and improvisation techniques, script work/creation, acting technique and characterisation.
Master trainer in various modules I wrote for Barefeet with content including; social accountability, policy engagement, drug addiction/alcoholism, early childhood education, Environmental mitigation, sanitation WASH, children’s rights, access to justice, HIV prevention/ adherence in Zambia.
Assisted in the formation of 40 performance groups in orphanages/ street child centres across Zambia. Working with Barefeet has also allowed me to work with children in refugee camps and transit centres, leading to the creation of a unique Children’s ‘Council’ model.
Trained 100+ Barefeet faciliators in workshop delivery skills over the course of 10 years.
​
Since 2003 I have also led/coordinated numerous youth inclusion projects throughout the UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Hungary.
​
SOME EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS
BAREFEET THEATRE
2006- 2016
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER
PODCAST - CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS
2020- present
WAKE THE BEAST- supported by the Irish Government through the Emigrant Support Programme
​
​
Creative Conversations takes a fresh and fun glimpse into Irish identity topics using performance, comedy and discussion.
Think of it as a snapshot of the Irish/ Northern Irish diaspora - only funnier!
We talk identity, diaspora and meet the interesting people behind the stories .. wherever they are. Episodes have seen us travel from London to Lusaka, New York to Newry meeting people from places in-between.
​​
2023 Podcasts available now.
​
SNAPSHOT - Irish community in Zambia -
​
'IRELAND'S LOSS BRITAINS GAIN' – Irish in the NHS -
'LOVE & JUSTICE’ – featuring Irish diaspora women from JENGBA (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association).
IRISH WITH AN AMERICAN ACCENT​
​
​
​Supported by the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme.
​
​
​
NHS/ CARE HOME- Supporting staff through the COVID pandemic
2020- present
Wake The Beast. Whittington Health NHS Trust, Central North West London Trust, Camden and Islington Trust
“What I got out of it was reflecting on what happened, letting go of what happened and moving
on to what’s coming” Whittington Staff member
​
MY ROLE: CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS, WROTE THE SCRIPT AND DIRECTED CONTENT
Over the past 4 years Wake The Beast artists have interviewed a total of 250+ Whittington Health Trust NHS/Care Home staff to capture their experiences throughout the pandemic. Working hand in hand with the Clinical Health Psychology Team, 7 unique pieces of new writing were creating and toured to over 1000+ NHS staff across multiple NHS trust sites throughout three national lockdowns (June 20, Nov 20, June 21, July 21, Nov 21, Nov 22). The journey from ‘Health Heroes’ to ‘Striking Villains’ throughout this period has been captured and documented using the words of zero hours contractors cleaning Covid wards to Senior Consultants and all the bands in between.
​
The work spreads
Throughout the pandemic more NHS trusts got in touch and the WTB team interviewed over 40 staff from Central North West London (CNWL) Trust (Surrey, London, Milton Keynes)– where the wellbeing team worked with WTB to curate a Wellbeing festival featuring 10 short films written by WTB using the interviews. Camden and Islington Trust, a mental health Trust, also requested a bespoke theatre tour. The team interviewed 30+ staff from this trust and created ‘Stories from C&I’ which toured hospitals and wards for two weeks in July 21. In April 2023 we were invited to perform at the UK Houses of Parliament for MP's and Peers to advocate for NHS/ Social Care staff mental health support.
​
Read full story here:
​
​
​
​
THE C FACTOR
2017- 2024
WAKE THE BEAST , MACMILLAN AND THE WHITTINGTON HEALTH NHS TRUST
WINNER OF 2019 MACMILLAN 'INNOVATION AWARD'
​
MY ROLE: CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS, WROTE THE SCRIPT AND PERFORMS CONTENT
​
The C Factor is a creative group approach for people going through cancer. Addressing the emotional impact of cancer through storytelling, discussion and laughter.
Wake The Beast worked with the Whittington Hospital Psychology team and Macmillan to create a series of 8 sessions addressing 4 main topics relating to cancer treatment and its effects.
​
Adam had conversations with several people who had undergone treatment (or were still in treatment) at the Whittington hospital. The participants allowed their experiences to be used as part of 'Ricky's' story. A fictional character was created to protect people's identity's and allow for an amalgamation of several people's experiences to be presented. Ricky's story is verbatim, taken directly from the interviews with patients.
​
Over the 8 sessions we follow the 'story' of Ricky and his cat Whitt through Ricky's cancer diagnosis and treatment. Ricky's story helps participants explore challenges and experiences in a way that's; non-intrusive, fun, creative and reflective.
​
The award winning project has provided psychological support for over 150 people who may not choose one to one therapy, combing psychological approaches, tools and techniques in a creative and energising/ uplifting context.
​
​
“This should be offered to all cancer patients - Amazing course.”
​
“So many themes and events resonated with my own journey, seeing it broken into stages was a good way to approach the various issues patients face.”
​
“I kept using Ricky's mantras when talking to other people, I know that I am not alone.”
​
“It has made me feel more hopeful about longer term effects.”
WHO CARES
2019
LUNG THEATRE & THE LOWRY (MANCHESTER)
The play, Who Cares, has toured around the country for the last few years, visiting Folkestone Quarterhouse, Action Transport Theatre, Rosehill Theatre, CAST Doncaster, Arts Depot and many schools, youth zones and community settings. Who Cares is a gripping verbatim theatre production based on a year of interviews that offers a rare insight into a year in the lives of young carers from Salford. The play aims to help identify ‘hidden’ young carers in society and signpost them to support available through local young carers services. In 2021, Who Cares was adapted for radio and was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 9th February 2021. Who Cares has also been adapted into a filmed production with accompanying educational resources that will be available from Summer 2021.
Who Cares, was written by Matt Woodhead and co-produced by The Lowry and LUNG in partnership with Gaddum. Who Cares was funded by Curious Minds, Arts Council England and the Oglesby Charitable Trust.
MY ROLE: Designed, created and delivered engagement content for schools, teachers and professionals
​
​