smallmassive theatre

Profile Edited by MPS MySpace Editor 2.0Hello, my name is Fiona Mannion and I am an artist and puppeteer, running a small theatre company based in Sheffield. I studied painting but then worked in Romania in 1991-1993 where I learnt that the arts could be used as a tool to help others transform themselves. Since then I have worked extensively in community settings with children, young people, adults and disabled people of all ages. Ive done theatre, puppetry, carnival, murals, celebratory arts, combined arts and more. I have my own short solo puppet show based on "The Conference of the Birds" which I have performed to adult audiences. I would call my work visual theatre and work with music rather than with voices. I have collaborated with djs, musicians, dancers, poets, dramatists and animators to create performances. In the week I manage a youth participation project called SOUL&FAME aimed at politicising young people with learning disabilities and making sure their voices are heard by people who make decisions about their lives. The group challenge prejudice about disability by showing people what they can achieve and delivering training. We use many creative approaches to do this including the ideology of Augusto Boal. I am a trained forum theatre joker. In 2006 we won the Philip Lawrence Award and in 2007 a local S.O.N.Y award. We have our own page where you can read more about us (see my top friends but you will have to send us a request)I have just completed two years research with Creative Partnerships working with children with multiple and profound disabilities, on a project exploring how puppetry can be used to improve understanding of emotional literacy. This resulted in a show at the Crucible this Summer called "Dreams Express" See my pics. At the weekends I dance Bollywood and bhangra which keeps me sane and for fun I listen to music and generally throw myself around the room a lot with the headphones on. Now thats what I call relaxing!