April Bracken
Inclusive Performing Artist & Drama Facilitator
Creator of Free As A Bird, a performance for young audiences with complex needs aged 7 - 14
about april
A performing artist and drama facilitator with a Masters in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, April creates inclusive spaces for young people where they can experience moments of joy, connection, and wonder. April aims to be empathic and responsive in how she works, placing the wellbeing of the young people and her fellow artistic collaborators at the centre of the process. April recently created Free As A Bird, a multi-sensory performance for young audiences with complex needs, funded by the Arts Council’s 2026 Children and Young People’s Art Project Award. Combining original music, movement, puppetry and tactile offerings, the performance was developed in close consultation with the students of St. Michael’s House Special School, Ballymun, and based on the research April undertook during an artistic residency in the school for her 2024 Arts Council Bursary. April is also a recipient of the Baboró’s 2023/24 Breaking Ground Bursary, a development opportunity for artists creating work for young people with additional needs.April’s work involves creating opportunities for connection through drama in a variety of settings. As part of the Dublin Local Authorities’ 2024 Exploring & Thinking Award, April designed and delivered a creative residency at a local preschool in collaboration with early childhood arts practitioner Orla Kelly. For her 2026 Exploring & Thinking Award, April will deliver a series of workshops exploring puppetry and storytelling at a local YMCA hub with mentorship from Little Gem Puppets. April led and delivered Here We Are Now, a theatre devising project with LGBTQ+/youth groups (Cruinniú na nÓg 2023) and Page Turners, a theatre co-creation project with children attending a local primary school’s nurture room (Fingal County Council 2023). April is currently a facilitator for Play In A Day, an OIDE initiative to bring devising skills into secondary school classrooms and for Creative TY Connections, a multi-modular community education programme that brings together adults with disabilities and transition year students for mutual learning and development.
Free As A Bird
Free As A Bird is a gentle, uplifting performance for young audiences with complex needs. With cosy nests to rest in, we encounter a multi-sensory experience to celebrate the wondrous lives of birds. Audience members are invited to explore our forest-themed tent, enjoy playful encounters with bird puppets and interact with natural elements like soft feathers and refreshing winds. Combining original music, movement, puppetry and tactile offerings, this immersive experience has just three audience members at a time to ensure that every performance is responsive to each individual child.Free As A Bird was developed in close consultation with the students of St. Michael’s House Special School, Ballymun.Credits:
Created by April Bracken
Performed by April Bracken, Brona Jackson and Lainey O’Sullivan
Composed by Tom Lane
Set and Costume Design by Muireann D’Arcy
Inclusive Dance Dramaturgy by Jess Rowell
Videography by Kristian Mantalvanos
Photography by Neil Harrison
Stage Management by Ursula McGinnWith special thanks to:
St Michael’s House Special School, Ballymun - Project Partner
Axis Ballymun - Venue Support
Anna Newell - Project Mentor
Heather Rose - Production Mentor
Al Bellamy - Access Mentor
Mardi and Elaine from St. Michael’s House Special School, Ballymun - Teacher Interviewees
Simon Coulter - Production SupportGenerously funded by the Arts Council of Ireland
Get In touch
