Theatre for a Shared Humanity: Arts and Human Rights

Book Your Place

Artists

Frederique Lecomte, Artistic Director, Theatre & Reconciliation

Full Event Details

Join us for a ‘One Night Stand’! This is an inspiring afternoon and evening of theatre, creativity, and dialogue with internationally acclaimed theatre-maker Frédérique Lecomte, founder and Artistic Director of Théâtre & Réconciliation. Presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality as part of the 2026 Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival, this unique event offers participants the opportunity to engage directly with one of Europe’s leading socially engaged theatre practitioners.

Led by Frédérique Lecomte, Théâtre & Réconciliation is an award-winning Belgian theatre company dedicated to social engagement, artistic innovation, and community empowerment. Through original theatrical creation, the company works with diverse communities in both conflict zones and peaceful settings, using theatre as a powerful tool for dialogue, transformation, and shared humanity.

The event begins with a practical theatre workshop (3–6pm) that Frédérique Lecomte joyfully refers to as a ‘one night stand’ where theatre is made in a short space of time and  where participants explore movement, improvisation, collaborative performance-making, and socially engaged artistic methodologies in a supportive and accessible environment.  Themes explored include the concept of a shared European identity and European values of human dignity, equality, gender equality, human rights, diversity, democracy and peace.  The workshop culminates in a live improvised public performance (7.30–9.30pm), presented by the participants themselves and open to all audiences. The workshop is open to theatre and art students and practitioners, youth and community groups, members of civil society organisations and individual members of the public who are interested in discovering more about the work. Active participation is required. Please wear practical clothing for participation in games and exercises.

This is a rare opportunity to work closely with an internationally recognised artist while exploring themes of European identity and shared values, including human dignity, equality, gender equality, human rights, diversity, democracy, and peace.

The improvised public performance  is followed by a panel discussion and Q&A featuring Frédérique Lecomte and Mary Moynihan of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. Together, they will discuss the We Are Europe project, Frédérique Lecomte’s award-winning artistic practice, and the role of the arts in fostering inclusion, reconciliation, and social change across Europe.

This event is presented as part of WE ARE Europe, a collaborative European initiative between Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Ireland, and Théâtre & Réconciliation, Belgium, supported by Erasmus+. The project promotes transnational collaboration, shared creative methodologies, and inclusive arts practice across Europe.

Speaker Biographies:

Frédérique LeComte is the founder and main facilitator of the Theatre and Reconciliation method. She is a sociologist, writer and stage director from Belgium. She is an expert in rebuilding traumatised and conflicted communities, organising theatre workshops and performances both with and for the community in war areas all over the world. In these areas, Frédérique creates a safe space where everyone is free to speak – victims of torture, torturers, people displaced and prisoners alike. She aims to use theatre to discuss issues such as justice, trauma, elections, land and ethnic conflicts. In Belgium, she works with prisoners, psychiatric patients, diasporas, illegal migrants and asylum seekers. Frédérique also offers training and conferences about Theatre and Reconciliation for NGOs, associations and individuals.

Organisations Involved / Partner Organisation(s):

Venue Information: