An award-winning show called “Making A Mark” which puts intellectual disability centre stage starring Mark Smith, a 40 year old actor with Down Syndrome, comes to the Droichead Arts Centre on Thursday 14 April, for one night only.
Making A Mark is a documentary style, autobiographical play which Smith first began to develop during a six month residency at Axis Ballymun in 2018 where he worked alongside leading documentary artist Shaun Dunne and long-time collaborator Aisling Byrne.
The production was further developed with the support of the Abbey Theatre’s 5 x 5 programme and premiered with support from Project Arts Centre in 2019.
A sold out run and several award nominations ensued including Best Performer and Best Production at that year’s Dublin Fringe Festival.
Having achieved at a high level all his life, including a silver medal at the 1999 Special Olympics, Mark was always made to feel “special” but he has often felt obliged to keep the darker, more troubled aspects of his life a secret from those around him who would prefer to focus on his far-reaching achievements.
Making a Mark tells Mark’s incredible journey to date alongside the more complicated facets of his life.
Mark has competed in the World Games, played King Lear before packed houses and packed bags for 20 years in Tesco’s… But that’s not even half the story.
Part live interview, part self-led confessional, this is Mark’s life and he’s ready to take a seat at the table. Ambition, disruption, grief and frustration.
He hopes this show will be the making of him. Are you ready for what he has to say?
Winner — Dublin Fringe Festival Judge’s Choice Award, 2019
Nominee — Dublin Fringe Festival Best Production
Best Performer — Dublin Fringe Festival
Wilde Courage Award — Dublin Fringe Festival
Performance — Thursday 14th of April 2022 at 8pm Tickets €18/€16/€14 available at www.droichead.com or 041 983 3946
