Jade O'Connor

Jade O Connor is an Irish singer and actress. Most recently she was cast in Emer Reynolds film Joyride starring Olivia Coleman which premieres at The Galway Film Fleadh 2022. And Bringing Home The Bacon by Gavin Fitzgerald which premiered at Fastnet Film Festival 2022. O Connor was born in London and immigrated to Killorglin, County Kerry when she was 10. She is an only child. Her mother, Carol O Connor, encouraged her to perform and create and was her first teacher. O Connor went to The Intermediate Secondary School also known as The Carnegie while simultaneously attending the The Irish School of music & drama where she achieved Grade 12 & an honors in The Effective Communication Qualification from The Leinster School of Music & Drama. Over the years she has continued to up skill and has studied at: Louise Kiely Acting for Screen 2021 RADA elements Acting Programme 2020 Vocal & performance Training Gemma Sugrue Programme 2020 - present Amy Rowan - Acting For Screen Masterclass The Irish Film Academy, Temple Bar, Dublin Acting for Screen Programme 2012 Vocal Training - Mary King ( English National Opera & BBC ) Irish Institute of Dance, Firkin crane, Cork - Professional Dance Studies & Performance. At 19 She won a scholarship to Millennium Performing Arts in London where she cut her teeth as an actor ( meisner technique ), singer (Alto - Mezzo) and dancer ( Matt Mattox, Graham & RAD Ballet). It was here she was recognized for her acting and singing talents and won the Millennium Awards for Best Actor & Best singer for her portrayal of Mary O Donnell in Bombshells by Annette McLaughlin and Laurie Williams in Oklahoma awarded to her by Ruthie Henshall. O Connor is also an award winning performer and theatre maker: Professional Development Award 2021 - The Arts Council of Ireland Artist Bursary 2021 - Dublin City Council Artist Bursary 2020 - The Arts Council of Ireland. She is currently an associate artist at The Solstice Arts center. As an on screen actor and voice over artist she can be seen in: Samhlú - A film by Fibin Productions for tg4 Cold Memory - A Radio Play by John Casey - Near FM Red Water - TV series - Element Pictures - BBC and RTÉ (Voiceover Artist) Small Town TV series by Gerard Barrett - RTÉ ( Voiceover Artist) Irelands GAA - Where We all Belong campaign - RTÉ, National Radio & Spotify (actor & VO artist) Shrimp Woman in The Bonny-men music video Ear worm Directed by Gavin Fitzgerald. As a singer she has performed at festivals around Ireland & Internationally and in venues such as The Abbey Theatre - Dublin, The Project Arts Centre - Dublin, Siamsa Tire - Tralee, INEC - Killarney, Whelans - Dublin, The Savoy - Cork, The Everyman Theatre - Cork, The Pavillion - Cork, The Roisin Dubh - Galway to name but a few. She has performed solo work and ensemble pieces. She has supported many artists including Marina and The Diamonds, The Hot House Flowers and Republic of Loose. RTE's program Nationwide as part of Culture night 2022. She is also a co-founder of award winning company FemmeBizarre who have presented work for Thisispopbaby, Theatre Machine, Electric Picnic, Film Fatale and 5 Lamps Festival. In 2018, the company received Project Award for their very first production Caged - Winner of Dublin Fringe Best duo - Judges Choice & Best Production Nominee. The company had a National Irish tour and a run at Dance Base Theatre at The Edinburgh Fringe 2021 & Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris 2021. Their new work received The 2020 Romilly Masters Award. During 2020 the company made a series of comedy sketches with Director Gareth Byrne. femmebizarre.org. As a writer O Connor is an Engine Room commission recipient 2020 at The National Theatre of Ireland - The Abbey and will continue to work with resident playwright Lisa Tierney Keogh throughout the year on a new solo work. She also received the Creative Thinking Nomination in association with The Abbey Theatre & Dublin Fringe 19' for her writing & performance in Things we have Always Wanted to tell you by Scottee & Co supported by The British Arts Council. She continues to write songs, music and text for Catherine Young Dance Company including Welcoming The Stranger, It Takes A Village & State Of Exception. She most recently collaborated on the company's new work A Call To You which premiered at this years Dublin Dance festival at The Project Arts Centre.