Jérémie Cyr-Cooke
Jérémie Cyr-Cooke is a Lecturer for the BA (Hons) Acting at Norwich University of the Arts. Jérémie is a performer, theatremaker, movement director, and researcher. Following his professional actor-training in Canada, Jérémie moved to Ireland, establishing Cuisle Productions – an independent physical theatre company. He holds an MA in Theatre Practice & Production and recently completed his PhD (PaR) in physical theatre as a methodology of adaptation. His teaching experience spans 12+ years at various levels of education.
I am a theatremaker, actor, movement director, and researcher with an array of professional and teaching experience in various disciplines across theatre & performance. I am passionate about teaching theory through practice, as well as bridging the gap between the intellectual, somatic, and embodied paradigms of theatre.
As an artist-researcher, I am interested in exploring new ways to tell our (hi)stories, using the body as the prime communicator in storytelling. I create work rooted in contemporary theatre practice, devising, and physical theatre. My work has been praised for its innovation, artistic ambition and virtuosity. Recently, I have been influenced by interdisciplinary practices, and the genres of dark fantasy, surrealism, magic realism and horror to portray themes related to history, identity, and communication.
In 2015, I established Cuisle Productions (ku-ih-sh-la; Irish Gaelic word for ‘pulse’/’livelihood’), an independent physical theatre company based in the West of Ireland. In 2016, I completed my PaR MA in Theatre Practice & Production.
In 2023, I completed my PhD, exploring physical theatre as a methodology of adaptation and established the Physical Theatre Spectrum, a dramaturgical and practical tool to visualise and navigate the intuitive hybridisation of various physical theatre forms.
Research & Publications
- 2023/24 Mise-En-Corp/Mise-Encore: Mapping the Physical Theatre Spectrum as a Methodology of Adaptation in Contemporary Performance, PhD Thesis, University of Galway
- 2022 ‘Physical Theatre & Physics: the spectrum of understanding and representing realtiy on stage via the moving body’, Conference Paper, Thinking Out Loud, SECA, University of Galway
- 2022 ‘Decoding Physical Theatre: physical theatre as a root language of performance and the dialectal continuum of body-centric Western European training and performances’, Conference Paper, Theatre and Performacen Research Association
Practice (Theatremaking & Devised)
- 2024 Hollow (R&D Puppetry/Theatre), Cuisle Productions – supported by Arts Council of Ireland, Roscommon Arts Centre, O’Donoghue Centre for Drama & Performance
- 2021 Embodying Glass (Movement), Cuisle Productions & Galway Music Residency – supported by Arts Council of Ireland, Galway City Council, Galway Theatre Festival, International Federation of Theatre Research
- 2020 Imperceptible (Physical Theatre), Cuisle Productions – supported by Galway Theatre Festival
- 2019 Artbitration (or a life worth living) (Theatre, written by Niall Carmody), Cuisle Productions – supported by Galway Theatre Festival
- 2018 The Messiness of Human Relationships (Verbatim & Physical Theatre), Cuisle Productions – supported by Galway Theatre Festival
- 2017 Blood On The Moon (Physical Theatre), Cuisle Productions – supported by Galway Theatre Fstival, St-John’s Theatre, Aras Eanna
- 2016 eXXcYpt (Movement), Cuisle Productions – supported by Galway Theatre Festival
Practice (Actor: Film, Theatre, Dance)
- 2022 The Word Factory (TYA), Role: Jonaby (lead), Auletta Teatretta (dir. Maria Auletta)
- 2022 Un/Cut (Short Film), Role: Kevin (supporting), HappyHand Productions (dir. Gordon Hickey)
- 2022 Conduit (Dance), Soloist, Architecture Dance (chor. Deirdre Cavazzi)
- 2021 e-Motions (Dance & Concert), The Composer (lead), CelloVision & Galway Int. Arts Festival (dir. Adrian Mantu & Jeremie Cyr-Cooke)
- 2020 Seó Faoi Sheoil (R&D, Theatre), Role: Fintan (Ensemble), Fíbín & Abbey Engine Room (dir. Philip Doherty)
- 2019 The Dreaming of the Bones (Theatre), Role; The Stranger (lead) & Movement Direction, DancepLayers (dir. Melinda Sutz)
- 2018 The Fisherwives (Mask/Site Specific), Ensemble, Brú Theatre (dir. James Riordan)
- 2016 The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Theatre), Role: Azdak (lead), Chekhov Ireland (dir. Max Hafler)
Awards
- 2023-2024 Agility Award, Arts Council of Ireland
- 2019-2023 Hardiman Scholarship, Department of Theatre, University of Galway
- 2014-2012 Rich Little Endowment Fund for the Arts, City of Ottawa
Other academic activities
- 2021-present Membership: ‘Performer Training’ Working Group, Theatre and Performance Research Association (TaPRA)
- 2020-present Board Membership, Galway Dance
