IASAS Drama 2018 Workshop Leaders

Mary-Frances Doherty is an internationally acclaimed Actress & Theatre Maker. Born and raised in Northern Ireland, she graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a BA (Hons) Degree in Contemporary Theatre Practice. She is currently an ISTA (International Schools Theatre Association) Artist and Creative Director of Curious Doings, Northern Ireland’s leading devised theatre company.

Over the past few years Mary-Frances has successfully toured her solo show ‘Katie’s Birthday Party’ to a number of prestigious international children’s festivals and was delighted to have it selected as one of only ten shows from the UK & Ireland to be presented at On The Edge: The World Festival of Theatre for Young Audiences & ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering in Birmingham, as well as having it selected by the Children’s Theatre Reviews as one of their Top 10 Shows of 2016. Described by one reviewer as "a magical, unforgettable performance packed with wonder and possibilities", Katie's Birthday Party encourages children to let their creativity flow and to meet new friends. Her other solo performances have also travelled widely, with “Home Sweet Home” being selected for the New York New Works Theatre Festival in 2016.

Beyond touring and creating new works with Curious Doings, Mary-Frances has taken on various Arts Development roles in Ireland and the UK. Most recently, these include being the Writer and Director of ‘One World New World - Alex,’ an advocacy project for Tinderbox Theatre Company 2017, the Community Director of Convergence (a Northern Ireland participatory theatre event) 2017, and a member of the 'Embodied Theatre - Physical Theatre and Devising Residency' at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow 2016.

Bong Cabrera is an award winning Film, Theater and Television Actor. He recently won an Award of Recognition for Best Actor from the Accollade Global Film Competition for the film "Ang Araw Sa Likod Mo" (The Sun Behind You). He also won Best Supporting Actor for the film “The Guerrilla is a Poet” for the 1st Cine Filipino Festival 2013 and Best Actor for the film “Sa Ilalim ng Tulay” (Under the Bridge) at the Cinema One Originals 2011 Film Festival.

From 2004 to 2010, he was a senior member of Tanghalang Pilipino, the Cultural Centre of the Philippines’ resident actors’ company, during which he received Best Supporting Actor In A Straight Play for his role in “Kudeta” at the Gawad Buhay (PHILSTAGE awards). He was then awarded an Asian Cultural Council Fellowship in 2010, which allowed him to undertake further study in New York in the areas of Suzuki and Viewpoints (SITI Company), Meisner Technique (The Acting Studio Inc.), Alexander and Voice Technique (NYC Open Center), Contact Improv Classes (Movement Research), Rehearsal Techniques and Ensemble training from Universes and Pig Iron Theater Company.

Internationally, Bong has performed in Tokyo, Shanghai, Nagoya, and New York, as well as worked on films in Singapore. In between filming and working on projects with KOLAB CO. (an interdisciplinary artists’ group creating new works), he teachers theatre workshops in three schools: De La Salle College of St. Benilde, Philippine High School For The Arts, and St. Paul College-Pasig.

Catherine Rankin is an avid traveller and this has exposed her to a variety of theatrical contexts, ranging from the discovery of the beauty of movement at the heart of Peking Opera to understanding the power of theatre to promote change whilst working with disadvantaged students in Inner London. These experiences inspired her to gain a Masters in Applied Theatre and develop several service-orientated Drama activities that aim to teach international school students how to develop positive connections with disadvantaged groups within the host community.

Working with such varied groups, Catherine has developed an awareness of the need for people to explore and create a visual and expressive language that transcends time, space and culture. For this reason, she specializes in Physical Theatre and focuses on helping students understand the power of ensemble. She believes that working as an ensemble member simultaneously inspires an individual and communal truth. Although she has serious intentions when creating theatre, comedy is an integral part of the work she creates and play is at heart of everything she does. After all, a good laugh is the best way to break down barriers and start building bridges!

Catherine has worked with the IB since 2005 as an Theatre Examiner, Team leader, MYP moderator and MYP Next Chapter member. She was also a member of the IB Theatre Curriculum Review Team for the current guide. Latterly, she has been an ISTA artist at several Middle School and High School festivals as well as an IB Teacher Workshop Leader. Catherine currently works at International School Manila as a Dance and Drama specialist. She is the Dance Site Director for the convention and will be leading morning warm ups.