Jade is an actor, writer, theatre maker & performer.
She is delighted to be a recipient of an Arts Council project award to create a new show: Malibu Disco with esteemed Director and Theatre Maker Wayne Jordan throughout 2025.
She collaborates and devises with various directors, artists, musicians and theatre companies both nationally & Internationally. And works across film, theatre, music and dance.
Jade is a recipient of the Next Generation Award - Arts Council of Ireland. And was selected to take part in the Next Stage Programme 23. She was also an Associate Artist at THISISPOPBABY 2024. Jade has just completed a year long ISAAC Creative Mentorship Programme with Ira Seidenstein (Author of Clown Secret and Quantum Theatre).
She has also received a Commissions Award - Arts Council of Ireland for her new theatre work DANCEHALL. Supported by KFEST Music & Arts Festival and Siamsa Tire - The National Folk Theatre of Ireland. In collaboration with Sound Designer & Composer Alma Kelliher. This project is an uncovering of our dance history. An invitation to connect. DANCEHALL is a meditation on Dance in Ireland, its death and its resurrection. A spectacle of hearty music and dance through a nuanced contemporary theatre making lens.
Most Recent Projects:
Artist in Residence - Cultural Centre Irlandais - Paris 24’.
WAKE - Directed by THISISPOPBABY - The National Stadium - Spring 2024.
DANCEHALL - Written & Directed by Jade O’Connor - May 24’
Floating On A Dead Sea - Directed by Catherine Young - Autumn National Tour 2024.
ABACUS Directed by Laura Murphy - South American Tour November 2024.
NEMESIS Directed by Eileen McClory - Work in Progress sharing of a new Opera at Dance Ireland, December 2024.
Education & Training:
Her professional performance training began at the Irish Institute of Dance Theatre, Firkin crane, Cork. While she trained here she also worked with Cork City Ballet - Directed by Alan Foley and performed in s Swan lake, Giselle and as a soloist in The Nutcracker.
She then went on to study on a scholarship at Millennium Performing Arts, London. Graduating in Musical Theatre & Acting. It was here that she started flexing her acting & singing muscles more and won the millennium awards for singing & acting awarded to her by west end star - Ruthie Henshall.
CORN EXCHANGE - Ira Seidenstein - ISAAC creative mentorship programme 2023 - 2024.Annie Ryan Commedia Programme 23’ | Gemma Sugrue Pro Vocal Artist 12 month programme April 2022 - 23’ | Louise Kiely Acting for Screen Course 21’| RADA elements Acting Programme 20’ | Vocal & performance Training Gemma Sugrue Programme 20’ - 22’ | Agility Award 22’ - The Arts Council of Ireland | Professional Development Award - The Arts Council of Ireland | Multidisciplinary Artist Bursary - Dublin City Council 21’ | Artist Bursary 2020 - The Arts Council of Ireland | Screen acting at the Irish Film Academy 2016 | Vocal Training - Mary King ( English National Opera & BBC ) 2005 - 2008. The Leinster School of Speech and Drama (grade 5 - 12) & Effective Communication (honours level).
