Maria Corcoran is an award-winning circus performer, teacher and facilitator dedicated to using circus to authentically connect people and create unforgettable experiences. During her studies of Environmental Science and Health in Dublin, she discovered juggling and her passion for circus was born.
Since 2008 Maria has been learning technical skills in juggling, unicycling, hula-hoop and acrobatics. In recent years she has turned her focus to clowning and performance skills. She endeavours to use circus performance to tell thought-provoking stories in an emotionally uplifting way.
She has performed in solo and ensemble shows at Irish and International Festivals including Spraoi Festival, National Circus Festival of Ireland, Pitch'd Circus Festival, Dublin, Belfast and Galway Circus Festivals, Galway, Swansea, Edinburgh and Abu Dhabi Science Festivals as well as many local Arts and Family Festivals throughout Ireland.
In 2018 she founded her outreach company Circo Coranco to facilitate youth circus workshops throughout Ireland, in youth clubs and schools. These workshops promote: social cohesion - through teamwork-based games; resilience - through technical circus challenges; and wellbeing - through physical activities.
Maria is an emerging artist focused on building a multi-disciplinary practice, combining imaginative use of circus apparatus with physical storytelling techniques. Her work is concerned with play and using creativity as a tool to promote critical thinking. She uses comedy to relieve tension and establish authentic connection. From there, she engages, inspires and transforms people.
She seeks to push the boundaries of her skills and use innovative techniques to explore the artistic potential of the human body.
Honest communication is central to Maria's work as a performer and teacher. She aspires to find new ways of communicating with people and explore the universal language of the body. She uses physical theatre in an attempt to transcend social barriers and create moments of connection. She seeks to unite audiences through laughter and awe, creating events that become memories.
BIO
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
2021
Commedia dell'arte
Peta Lily
2020
Physical Comedy I + II
Virginia Scott, NYC Movement Theatre Studio
2020
Dark Clown
Peta Lily
2020
Comedy Writing
Virginia Scott, NYC Movement Theatre Studio
2019
I A Clown
Raymond Keane, The Lir Academy
2019
How To Be A Stupid
Angela de Castro, The Why Not Institute
TRAINING
AWARDS &
RESIDENCIES
2021
Arts Council of Ireland
Street Arts Bursary Award
2020
Dunamaise Arts Centre
Open Stage Residency
2020
Arts Council of Ireland
Professional Development Award
2020
ISACS
NEST (New Emerging Street Talent)
2020
Fantastic for Families UK
Best Family Event Award
2020
Laois County Council
Artists in Schools Scheme
2019
Laois County Council
Creative Ireland Grant
2019
Dublin Circus Project / Dance Ireland
Catalyst Residency
2019
Arts Council of Ireland
Travel and Training Award
2019
Tyrone Guthrie Centre
Residency Bursary
2019
Circus Factory Cork
Factory Days Residency
2019