Produced by Irish Aerial Creation Centre (IACC)
Facilitated by Willzee and Chantal McCormick
Funded by Rethink Ireland

Sorcán & Circus is a new community engagement programme developed by Willzee and the IACC, rooted in Fidget Feet’s circus theatre production H.O.M.E.The programme centres Traveller voices, creativity, and cultural expression, working with young people (8–14yrs) on halting sites and with early-career Traveller creatives through mentorship, performance, and paid artistic opportunities.

Sorcán is a Cant word meaning sound, reflecting the programme’s focus on voice, presence, and being heard.

Sorcán & Circus aims to:

• Support meaningful creative engagement with Traveller communities
• Increase access to arts, culture, and performance opportunities for Traveller children and young people
• Create safe, welcoming pathways into professional creative spaces
• Build long-term, trust-based relationships between Traveller artists, communities and organisations, – Local Authorities?
• Celebrate Traveller culture, storytelling, and creative expression

Willzee (William Casey)

Willzee is a Limerick-based Irish Traveller artist working across rap, spoken word, screenwriting, and activism. Known for his “TraBuffer” identity (Traveller blood, settled rearing), his work is rooted in lived experience and explores themes of hardship, loss, resilience, and cultural identity.

Irish Aerial Creation Centre (IACC)

The IACC is a national centre for aerial and circus creation and training, supporting artists and communities through high-quality creative practice, training, and outreach programmes.

Fidget Feet Aerial Dance

Fidget Feet is an internationally recognised aerial dance company creating socially engaged circus theatre and delivering community-based creative programmes across Ireland and internationally.

4.1 Traveller Youth Workshops (Ages 7–12)

Creative circus and movement workshops delivered:

• Directly on halting sites
• At the Irish Aerial Creation Centre and partner circus studios

Workshops are facilitated by trained professional artists and focus on:

• Physical confidence and coordination
• Creative expression and play
• Teamwork and trust
• Safe engagement with aerial and circus practices

Transport support is provided where needed to ensure access to off-site activities.

4.2 Halting Site Performances

Short performance extracts from H.O.M.E. and related creative material are presented:

• On halting sites
• In community settings

These performances are designed to be accessible, family-friendly, and responsive to the local context, creating shared cultural experiences within the community.

4.3 Artist Mentorship Programme (Early-Career Traveller Creatives)

A focused creative development programme for early-career Traveller artists, including:

• Intensive workshops with Willzee
• Songwriting, spoken word, and performance development
• Paid live performance opportunities

The mentorship programme is delivered in multiple locations along the west of Ireland, with small group sizes to ensure meaningful engagement.

4.4 Traveller Community Arts Evaluation

As part of the Sorcán and Circus programme, we are working with an evaluator from the Traveller community who will:

• Document impact through qualitative insights through conversations, observation, reflection, and creative documentation in ways that are culturally safe and meaningful
• contribute to sector learning around Traveller inclusion in the arts
• help build practical legacy resources for other arts organisations

Sorcán & Circus is delivered across multiple locations along the west of Ireland, responding to local needs and contexts.

The programme is developed in collaboration with:

• Traveller organisations
• Local community leaders
• Youth services

Engagement begins with consultation and relationship-building, ensuring activities are delivered respectfully and appropriately.

All activities are delivered in line with:

• Child safeguarding and protection policies
• Risk assessment and safety procedures
• Professional standards of care

Parental/guardian consent is obtained for all children and young people, and medical and accessibility needs are accommodated wherever possible.

Sorcán & Circus aligns with local authority priorities around:

• Traveller inclusion and participation
• Youth engagement and wellbeing
• Community development and social cohesion
• Access to arts and culture
• Equality, diversity, and cultural recognition

The programme offers a practical, high-quality model for engaging Traveller communities through the arts, delivered by experienced partners with strong community connections.