Stephen quinn
quinns3@tcd.ie | Instagram: stefan_fae
“Mesmerizing” - New York Magazine
I make theatre and performance, both on my own and with other people, and am also co-founder of the acclaimed, Dublin-based, queer performance event SPICEBAG. My work is characterised by rigorous, aesthetic artistry and a passionate interrogation of the status quo. I am deeply inspired by the magic of transformation; there is hope in future re-imagining. In terms of genre and technique, I am a trained actor, I make physical theatre, write things, perform live music, both my own and other people’s, and make drag and alternative cabaret.
Education | training
BA (First Class Hons) Drama and Theatre Studies, University of Dublin, Trinity College, 2013
Erasmus Programme, Goldsmiths, University of London, 2012
Masterclass with Conor Mitchell (Belfast Ensemble) at the Abbey Theatre, 2022.
Mentored by Lois Weaver and Scottee at Beyond Queer - strategies for changing the world at Metal Peterborough, 2019.
Mentored by Peaches at MAKE: artist development initiative of Cork Midsummer Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival, Project Arts Centre and Theatre Forum, 2018.
Corn Exchange workshop with Annie Ryan, 2017
Directing workshop with Thomas Ostermeier (Next Stage Extension series), 2015
Theatre | Performance
Bark of Millions, vocalist | dancer, created by Taylor Mac, Matt Ray, Machine Dazzle and Pomegranate Arts, world premiere in the Main Concert Hall of The Sydney Opera House (50th anniversary celebration), Sydney Australia, 2023, US premiere at The Harvey Theatre, Brooklyn Academy of Music ahead of a US and international tour in 2025/26 ★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★★ The Queer Review ★★★★ Limelight
Crying At The Orgy, performer | writer | producer, HOT! Festival, Dixon Place, New York, 2023
There Will Be Rainbows, performer | writer | producer, The Fumbally Café, 2023
The Gospel of Twink, performer | creator, Rewind <<FastForward>> Record: Revising the Rainbow, in response to the exhibition The Narrow Gate of the Here-And-Now: Queer Embodiment, and coinciding with the OUTing The Past Festival, Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), 2022.
Privilege: The Musical by Louise White, performer|co-creator, Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, 2022.
SHAME // LESS, performer|programmer|creative director, online during Dublin Pride, 202, Irish Film Institute as part of GAZE International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, 2021 and Town Hall Theatre as part of Galway Film Fleadh, 2022.
SPICEBAG, performer|co-artistic director, The Commercial Rowing Club (Dublin) 2019, Dublin Working Men’s Club, 2017-2022.
Faultline by Anu Productions, performer, Dublin Theatre Festival 2019, also work-in-development showing in Project Arts Centre as part of Live Collision International Festival, 2018 ★★★★ The Irish Times ★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★★ The Arts Review.
OVERFIRED, co-writer|performer, Project Arts Centre, 2019, The Complex (Dublin) as part of Dublin Fringe Festival 2018, The Black Box (Belfast), as part of Outburst Queer Arts Festival 2018, winner of the Outburst Queer Fringe Award 2018 (Dublin Fringe Festival).
Kinsey One Through Five, performer | Princess Grace, directed by Veronica Coburn, RTE Radio Drama
Trophy by STO Union, performer|storyteller, directed by Maeve Stone and Oonagh Murphy, Barnardo Sq., winner of the Judges Choice Award (Dublin Fringe Festival, 2017) ★★★★ The Irish Times.
A 24-Decade History of Popular Music: The First Act by Taylor Mac, performer|dandy minion, Barbican Theatre, LIFT 2018 ★★★★ The Stage ★★★★ The Times.
Recovery by One Two One Two, performer, directed by Zoe Ní Riordán, Project Arts Centre, 2016 (revived as part of Live Collision International Festival, 2017), Centre Culturel Irlandais (Paris), 2017, Irish national tour 2018, winner of the Romilly Walton Masters Performance Award, 2017.
Gays Against The Free State by Oisín McKenna, performer|Miriam O Callaghan|Priest, directed by Colm Summers, Dublin Fringe Festival 2016, nominated for the Judges Choice Award.
It Folds by Brokentalkers and Junk Ensemble, performer|Ghost, Abbey Theatre, Peacock Stage, Tiger Dublin Fringe 2015, “creators and performers provide plenty of rich theatrical pickings” ★★★★ The Irish Times.
Stefan Fae - Cabaret Mattachine, writer|performer, directed by Laura Bowler, Molloy and Dowling Dispensing Opticians, Tiger Dublin Fringe 2015, nominated for the Judges Choice Award.
Rough For Theatre I & Act Without Words II by Samuel Beckett, costume designer, directed by Sarah-Jane Scaife, City Quay Car Park, Dublin Fringe Festival 2013, “the best productions of the plays I’ve seen. (And that includes those by Peter Brook)” – Fintan O’Toole, The Irish Times ★★★★★ Irish Theatre Magazine.
The Brothers Karamazov by Painted Filly Theatre, costume designer, directed by Nick Johnson, Samuel Beckett Theatre, 2014.
At The Hawk’s Well: After Yeats, costume designer, directed by Sarah-Jane Scaife, Samuel Beckett Theatre, 2013.
Academy of Clowns, devised by the ensemble, performer|Gone With The Wind Clown, directed by Raymond Keane, Samuel Backett Theatre, 2011.
FAT, devised by Talking Shop Ensemble, performer, directed by Oonagh Murphy, Players Theatre, Absolut Dublin Fringe Festival, 2010.
Awards | Residencies
Recipient of O-1B visa from US Citizenship and Immigration Services. This visa is awarded to “individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in motion picture or television industry,” 2022.
Abbey Theatre (Ireland’s National Theatre) Commemoration Bursaries, commissioned to explore the centenary of Ireland’s War of Independence and Civil War, 2021.
Arts Council of Ireland Agility Award, 2021.
Project Intensive: funded artist development initiative of Project Arts Centre, Dublin, 2021.
Axis Assemble Bursary: funded artist development initiative of Axis Arts Centre and Theatre, Dublin, 2021.
Arts Council of Ireland Professional Development Award, 2020.
Arts Council of Ireland Theatre Bursary Award, 2020.
Arts Council of Ireland Travel and Training Award, 2019.
Mentored by Lois Weaver and Scottee at Beyond Queer - strategies for changing the world at Metal Peterborough, 2019.
Outburst Queer Fringe Award, Dublin Fringe Festival, 2018.
The Next Stage: artist development strand of Dublin Theatre Festival, 2014.
Mentored by Peaches at MAKE: artist development initiative of Cork Midsummer Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival, Project Arts Centre and Theatre Forum, 2018.
Ireland of Ireland Winner in the Media and Arts category (Undergraduate Awards, 2014) for a paper entitled “Performing Beyond Postmodernity: Taylor Mac and the Queer Metamodern.”
Recipient of a Gold Medal from the Board of Trinity College for exceptional merit at degree examinations in the School of Drama, Film and Music, 2013.
press | media
“We’re In This Together: Bark Of Millions,” New York Magazine | Vulture | Bark Of Millions Review, 2024
“Shame // Less: The hot new queer variety showcase streaming live from Dublin's Boilerhouse,” GCN, 2021.
“There is hope and that is what revolution is,” GCN, 2019.
“The crack where the light gets in,” GCN, 2019.
“Dublin’s queer community is battling to save the city’s club culture,” Dazed, 2019.
“LGBTQI+ nightlife: Genre-busting, gender-bending gas,” Irish Times, 2019
“Spicebag: ‘And Sure Whatever You’re Havin’ Yourself,’” GCN, 2018
Listed in “Queer Irish To Watch Out For 2018,” GCN, 2018
Masc.life interview with Stephen Moloney, 2017
“At SPICEBAG, an anything-goes space for new queer performers” in The Dublin Inquirer, 2017