Kirsty is a multi-sensory theatre maker and facilitator from Ipswich. Kirsty specialises in creating immersive work which is accessible for young people with disabilities and additional needs. Kirsty’s previous work includes the Arts Council-funded shows 'The Green Children' and '1001 Fireflies', both of which focus on celebrating difference, challenging social stereotypes and the environment.

Over the course of her residency, Kirsty delivered an amazing range of activity across eight of our library venues, with a focus on performance-based storytelling. As a theatre in education specialist, Kirsty worked closely with our Children’s Librarian to develop ‘Story Seekers’, a programme of in-school creative writing workshops, as well as Suffolk Libraries new and original summer reading challenge, ‘Reading Quest’. Kirsty created a special promotional trailer in the style of Wes Anderson, to boost young people’s engagement with this new literacy offer.

Other residency highlights include the Word Cup 2023 project, in which Kirsty mentored five young girls who regularly attend Gainsborough Library in Ipswich, supporting them to create and perform their very own poetry pieces in a national showcase at Manchester Poetry Library. Inspired by local heritage, Kirsty also created a multi-sensory twilight storytelling event at Ipswich County Library, where participants experienced what it was like to be a sailor transcending time through music, poetry, theatre, food, and stories of local people.

“What attracted me to a residency at Suffolk Libraries was that the residency description was really open and I felt you could interpret that as an artist. My aim was to create immersive spaces and events that encourage people to experience the library in a way that they wouldn’t usually experience it day-to-day, and give people access to hidden parts of the library.

"It’s important for everyone to feel they belong in the library. Being disconnected in your community is the beginning of a nightmare, and that’s something I strive to challenge every step of the way.”

‍

Watch this video on our YouTube channel where Kirsty reflects on her time as our Storyteller in Residence.