Caitlin Oneill is a 26 year old Children’s Drama Facilitator from Glengormley. Caitlin was introduced to the industry by her nanny Kate Muldoon a playwright.
She spent her childhood in rehearsal rooms and at the theatre and knew that it was what she wanted to do. Caitlin went to Liverpool to study drama in university.
What genre / style do you create in?
Children’s theatre and sensory theatre.
What would you be best known for?
Inclusion theatre classes for children with additional needs.
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
I have been lucky to travel the world with my work, but selling out all my classes in Belfast means more to me.
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
Never give up. Times get tough but never stop creating.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Covid19 meant that all my work stopped within a week with no idea when I would be able to restart my work and no income.
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?
I live in Glengormley, I recently moved into my first house on my own. I love cooking and going to the gym and I’m keeping myself busy by decorating.
Tell us about your most recent work?
My Boogie Babies sensory rhythm and rhyme classes have been a huge hit recently selling out 3 classes a week months in advance.
What would you like us to tell people about?
I currently am running imagination classes for ages 3-10 in Glengormley and Short Strand and boogie babies rhythm and rhyme sessions in Glengormley for ages 0-3.
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
I run drama classes like no other. We are all about creativity and imagination. My aim is to create a space that is inclusive to all children of all abilities. Each class has a sensory area for quiet time with lights, visual aids and timers and ear defenders. To make all children feel welcome.
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had in your business?
Every day is a funny experience when you work with kids, but maybe once playing a game you had to describe the most disgusting thing you could think of and a girl said “big stinking diabetes”, don’t know what diabetes ever did to her!
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
Work hard and you can achieve anything. Don’t let anything stand in your way.
Who do you look up to and why?
My nanny. She was an amazing playwright and inspired so many people with her work and kindness. I hope I am doing her proud with my work.
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