About The Webinar

Join TheatreArtLIfe and a team of expert panelists to discuss the importance of accessibility in theatre and what this means for audiences, production companies and theatre staff. 

From creating work specifically for those with sensory differences, to augmenting existing productions for sensory friendly and sign language supported performances, accessibility is a vital part of programming and planning, as the industry works towards inclusivity and accessibility for all performers and patrons. This is a unique opportunity to hear from the team behind Cahoots NI and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on their respected and innovative approaches to accessibility in theatre. 

​​​​​​​About the panelists: 
Hugh W Brown 
Hugh W Brown lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is an Actor and Writer with 25 years experience in Film, Theatre, Street Performance, Circus, Clown and Music, specialising in producing work for young audiences. Recent theatre credits, with Cahoots NI, include Shh! we have a Plan (United States, China tours 2018/19/20), The Family Hoffman Mystery Palace, Duck Death and the Tulip and Egg, which in 2016 toured extensively in the United States and in London was winner of Best Show for Young People Off West End (OFFIES). As a solo performer he has performed all over Europe, Asia and Australia with highlights including representing Ireland in the Street Performance World Championships, performing at the Opening Ceremony of The Special Olympics in Croke Park, Dublin. Most recently Hugh was the co-creator and librettist for Cahoots NI’s musical productions of Pinocchio and Milo’s Hat Trick and Company Manager for their tour of Ireland with Under the Hawthorn Tree. He is also Co-Director, Writer and Performer in Dublin City Council’s Dockers and Demons Festival. In Cambodia Hugh wrote, produced, co-directed and performed lead in the feature film INSIDE THE BELLY OF A DRAGON which received special selection at the Cambodian Film Festival and Belfast Film Festival in 2017.

​​​​​​​Throughout those 25 years and as a result of his work with leading arts organisations like Belfast Community Circus, Lunar Circus, City Fusion and Cahoots NI, Hugh has developed his own programme of creative exploration,Theatrical Thinking, working with people of all ages and backgrounds, using the disciplines of Circus, Music and Theatre as a metaphor for learning about confidence, creativity and individual expression.

Paul Busco Mc Eneaney 
Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney is from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, and is the founder member and Artistic Director of Cahoots NI.
In his role as Artistic Director of the company, he has produced and directed many shows including Secrets of Space, Penguins, Milo’s Hat Trick, Egg, Nivelli’s War, Under the Hawthorn Tree, Shh! We Have a Plan, The Gift, The Incredible Book Eating Boy and The Snail and the Whale.
Writing credits include Lights! Camera! Math!, Danny Carmo’s Mathematical Mysteries, The Assistant’s Revenge, The Family Hoffmann’s Mystery Palace, The Magic Hat and Cuchulain: The Hound of Ulster.
Paul has worked extensively as an illusion consultant on many different productions ranging from Shakespeare in the open air to Broadway musicals.
As an actor, Paul was nominated for the prestigious Ian Charleson award and received a Commendation from the National Theatre for his performance in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast. In November 2011, The Belfast Metropolitan College honoured Paul with an Award of Distinction for his contribution to the Arts.

Melanie (Jupp) Soehnlen
Melanie (Jupp) Soehnlen is an accomplished arts administration and community outreach professional with more than 10 years of experience in all aspects of planning and managing arts education programs for lasting community impact, with a particular emphasis on sensory friendly programming.  As the Associate Director for Education & Outreach at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Soehnlen leads the center’s sensory friendly initiatives, including the presentation of sensory friendly performances as well as workshops with visiting artists for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In addition to her work with sensory friendly programming, she manages The Smith Center’s Disney Musicals in Schools program, which has successfully supported over 40 high-needs elementary schools in Clark County in their pursuit of building sustainable musical theater programs.  She is part of a collaborative team and supports all aspects of The Smith Center’s education and outreach programming. Melanie lives in Las Vegas with her husband Sam and dog Hugo, and is currently expecting her first child.

Emma Wilson
​​​​​​​Emma Wilson is an Arts Administrator from Bangor, Northern Ireland. 
Having participated in amateur and professional performing arts from a young age, Emma later graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a 1st class Honours Degree in English and Drama. Now preferring to be ‘behind the scenes’, Emma got her start with Cahoots NI as an Apprentice in 2016, for which she was named Northern Ireland Apprentice of the Year at the NI Creative & Cultural Skills Awards, before moving up through the company into a full time position. Prior to this Emma worked with The Grand Opera House Belfast, Bright Young Things Drama and Debutots. Emma holds a BTEC Diploma in Business Administration, an Institute of Leadership and Management Award and is a licensed child chaperone. 

Time Zones
​​​​​​​New York:   Monday 21 December 2020, 1:00pm
London:        Monday 21 December 2020, 6:00pm  
Dubai:            Monday 21 December 2020, 10:00pm
New Delhi:  Monday 21 December 2020, 11:30pm
​​​​​​​Hong Kong: Tuesday 22 December 2020,2:00am
Sydney:          Tuesday 22 December 2020, 5:00am
Auckland:     Tuesday 22 December 2020, 7:00am

​​​​​​​REGISTRATION IS FREE
Remember, if you can't attend the live event, you can register and you will automatically receive a replay link post event. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​