Unscripted and Unchoreographed

This week on the podcast, we chat with Ryan O'Neill, a dancer from Northern Ireland.We discuss his journey to becoming the artist he is today, the challenges artists in the North face, and how he once dreamed of becoming a jockey. Ryan is performing in Scorched Earth, a piece by Luke Murphy, as part of the Dublin Dance Festival. The performance takes place on the 23rd and 24th of May at 7:30 PM at the Project Arts Centre. Ryan is also an Artist in Residence with LUAIL, Ireland’s national dance company.Connect with us:⁠Instagram:⁠   / confession_boxcollective  ⁠Website⁠⁠: https://confessionboxcollective.com/⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...⁠LinkedIn:   / confession-box-collective  Book a podcast recording with us: https://calendly.com/confessionboxcol...

In this week’s episode, we chat with Vitor Bassi, a dancer and actor.
We discuss his move to Ireland to take a break from performing, and how the pandemic led him back to dance and to rediscover his passion for physical theatre. Vitor shares his insights on the importance of mental health and self-care. He is currently performing When the Moon Spun Round at the 2025 Dublin Dance Festival.Connect with us:⁠Instagram:⁠   / confession_boxcollective  ⁠Website⁠⁠: https://confessionboxcollective.com/⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...⁠LinkedIn:   / confession-box-collective  Book a podcast recording with us: https://calendly.com/confessionboxcol...

On this week’s episode, we chat with Robyn Byrne — a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and movement director from the Midlands. Robyn works across dance, theatre, film, circus, and outdoor spectacle. She was a 2023 Next Generation Award recipient and is currently a Tipperary Dance Associate Artist.

Her choreographic works include:

O Before / (film, 2020)Glimmer (dance installation, 2022)MOSH (2023) — which won Best Ensemble at the Dublin Fringe Festival and is set to tour nationally later this year

Her latest show, Queen of the Meadows, premieres this May at the Live Collision International Festival.

As a movement director, Robyn has worked on the screen short His House, Home and stage productions like Gammy and Wide Open.

Since 2018, she has collaborated with Emma Martin/United Fall, performing in Night Dances.

Other performance credits include work with Junk Ensemble, Irish National Opera, and Company Philip Connaughton.

🎥 Watch O Before / (film, 2020)

https://youtu.be/qt9U37c8d7l

(Unlisted on YouTube — available via this link)

Tickets for Queen of the Meadows: Project Arts Centre

Connect with Robyn:

Instagram: @robin.red.breast

Website: www.robynbyrne.com

Connect with us:⁠Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/confession_boxcollective/⁠Website⁠⁠: https://confessionboxcollective.com/⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562754885256⁠LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/confession-box-collective/Book a podcast recording with us: https://calendly.com/confessionboxcollective/pod-recording

On this week's episode, we’re thrilled to chat with Amy O’Donnell, a powerhouse in the Irish arts scene with nearly two decades of experience. Originally from Oldcastle, Co. Meath, Amy began her journey with Druid Theatre Company and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, before moving into key roles such as Administrator and General Manager at Irish Modern Dance Theatre.

Amy spent ten dynamic years in London, where she worked on large-scale children’s theatre productions with Minor Entertainment and served as Administration Manager at the iconic Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

More recently, she’s been making waves closer to home through her work with Dance Cork Firkin Crane and The Gate, as well as serving on the committee of the Cavan Arts Festival and the board of Irish Modern Dance Theatre.

For the past three years, Amy has proudly held the role of Associate Producer at Livin’ Dred, a position she deeply values and describes as a true privilege.

Join us as we dive into Amy’s fascinating career, her passion for the arts, and the exciting projects she’s championing across Ireland and beyond!

Connect with us:⁠Instagram:⁠   / confession_boxcollective  ⁠Website⁠⁠: https://confessionboxcollective.com/⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...⁠LinkedIn:   / confession-box-collective  Book a podcast recording with us: https://calendly.com/confessionboxcol...

In this week's episode, we chat with Daniela Poch Marquez, an actor, dancer, and movement director whose work spans performance, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Daniela holds a BA in Acting (Practice and Body Studies) from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and is currently pursuing an MFA in Movement Directing and Teaching at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Her artistic practice weaves together acting, music, dance, puppetry, and medieval performance, creating a richly layered approach to storytelling. In our conversation, Daniela reflects on growing up in Chile and how recent social and political shifts have shaped the country's theatre scene. She also shares how her time at RCSSD is fueling the development of a new movement methodology that blends somatic practice with creative exploration.

On this week's episode, we chat with James O'Donnell — actor, director, and playwright. Originally from Dublin and now based in Ireland, James shares how he first got hooked on acting after seeing his very first play in his 20s. He went on to study at the Guildford School of Music and Drama and has since performed with both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

Connect with us:⁠

Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/confession_boxcollective/⁠Website⁠⁠: https://confessionboxcollective.com/⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562754885256⁠LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/confession-box-collective/Book a podcast recording with us: https://calendly.com/confessionboxcollective/pod-recording

This week on the podcast, we chat with Anna Reid, an actor and singer, about her journey in the entertainment industry since graduating from TU Dublin. We discuss the importance of pursuing what you love, handling rejection, and the positive impact of body positivity and representation in the arts. We also explore how Nicola Coughlan has influenced the industry, promoting greater inclusivity and change.

Connect with us:⁠Instagram:⁠   / confession_boxcollective  ⁠Website⁠⁠: https://confessionboxcollective.com/⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...⁠LinkedIn:   / confession-box-collective  Book a podcast recording with us: https://calendly.com/confessionboxcol...

This week on the podcast, we speak with Judit, a choreographic assistant, artistic advisor, and Certified Advanced Rolfer based in Dublin.

Judit began her dance journey with classical ballet, earning her diploma from the Conservatory of San Sebastián in Spain. At just 12 years old, she expanded her training to include contemporary dance. After completing a degree in telecommunication engineering, she moved to Brussels on a contemporary dance scholarship — and stayed for 20 years.

During that time, she danced with internationally renowned companies such as Ward/Ward – Ann Van den Broek, Jelena Kostic Dance, DiveinD – Dario Tortorelli, Hilde Elbers, Matteo Moles, Krego-Martin Danza, and more — performing across Europe, Asia, and America.

Tune in to hear Judit’s incredible story and insights from a life steeped in movement, art, and bodywork.

Connect with us:⁠Instagram:⁠   / confession_boxcollective  ⁠Website⁠⁠: https://confessionboxcollective.com/⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...⁠LinkedIn:   / confession-box-collective  Book a podcast recording with us: https://calendly.com/confessionboxcol...

On this week's episode, we chat with Leanne Bickerdike, a talented actor, playwright, and all-around hilarious person. We discuss the inspiration behind her play Wretch, the challenges and rewards of creating it, tips for dealing with stage fright, and the bold decisions she has made on stage.

Connect with us:⁠Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/confession_boxcollective/⁠Website⁠⁠: https://confessionboxcollective.com/⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562754885256⁠LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/confession-box-collective/Book a podcast recording with us: https://calendly.com/confessionboxcollective/pod-recording

On this weeks episode, we sit down with ballet dancer Tadhg Quigley Brennan to talk about his journey from youth theatre to pursuing a career in ballet. We explore how he discovered his passion for dance, his experience with imposter syndrome, and the challenges he’s faced along the way.

Tadhg also opens up about the importance of stepping back from performing and how taking a break has helped his mental health. His story is an inspiring reminder that rest is just as important as ambition.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, burnout, or finding your place in the creative world, this episode is for you.

Connect with us:⁠Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/confession_boxcollective/⁠Website⁠⁠: https://confessionboxcollective.com/⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562754885256⁠LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/confession-box-collective/Book a podcast recording with us: https://calendly.com/confessionboxcollective/pod-recording