Evie May O'Brien

There was never a conscious moment for me. I was a very shy child so was sent to classes at the Betty Ann Norton Theatre School, and it was there I fell in love with drama, performance, and theatre. When it came to filling out the CAO, I knew drama was what I enjoyed most, so I decided to continue the love affair and figure it out from there.

I was particularly drawn to the Drama (Performance) course at the TU Dublin Conservatoire because it offered more than just an actor’s training. I wanted to learn about theatre history, about facilitation, about analyzing texts, about theatre in education. I visited the Grangegorman campus during lockdown and felt at home.

My three years in TU Dublin were filled with memories and experiences that have shaped me. I will always have a special place in my heart for the fantastic team of lecturers who have made me the creative I am today. However, I would have to single out working on The Asylum Workshop.

In our final year TU commissioned playwright Colin Murphy to collaborate with our year group on a piece of theatre about the Grangegorman mental hospital. We worked closely with Colin and Peter McDermott, our wonderful lecturer and director, navigating archival material, having hard-hitting conversations, improvising, and reading drafts. It was an exceptionally unique hands-on experience as an actor, that fuelled my love for work that is historical and research heavy. To have played my part in making such an important piece of theatre makes me incredibly proud.

The Asylum Workshop by Colin Murphy (TUD, 2022)

Photo credit: Karl Hussey (Glasseye)

It was a bit of a whirlwind but equally a rather seamless transition. I was lucky enough to sign with my agent towards the end of final year, so began self taping and auditioning before graduation.

Then in June 2023 our year group had a short professional run of The Asylum Workshop, giving me a significant and comfortable professional debut. I had a couple of months to process the closing of my university chapter, and the beginning of my professional one. However, by the end of the summer I had booked the role of Máire in An Triail and I set off to Connemara for rehearsal before embarking on its national tour. 

I’m drawn to work that I feel has something to say. This may be in an obvious socio-political sense or in the quiet subtext and context of a piece. It is work and characters that leave an audience thinking, feeling, and questioning that fulfills me. Work that gives a voice to those who aren’t always heard or listened to.

Suckin Diesel by Holly Furey (Dublin Fringe Festival, 2024).

Photographer: Carol Cummins

By nature I’m not great at handling uncertainty so it’s interesting that this is the path I’m exploring. I’ve had to learn that not everything needs to be planned, perfect and certain, because in this industry it simply can’t be!

What keeps me calm and motivated in the midst of the uncertainty is trusting the process. I’m very lucky to be able to say that so far everything has unfolded and come to fruition at the right time for me. I trust my instincts, and know that not everything is for me, but what is won’t pass me by. It can feel like you have very little control as an actor but if you look for it it’s there.

It brings me a lot of comfort that as great as it is to get to say YES I have every right to say NO.

In Real Life by Erica Murray, (Abbey Theatre, 2025).

Photographer: Lorna Egan

 

I am constantly inspired by the creatives I encounter around me. Ireland is buzzing with theatrical talent and I don’t feel it’s fair to mark any one person as more admirable than another. I love tracking various actors' careers, seeing the journey they have taken and recognising that not one is the same as another. It’s the actors, directors, writers and creatives I have had the chance to work with that inspire me the most. I don’t think you can have the full picture till you’ve collaborated together.

Working on the Abbey Theatre’s 2026 production of The Plough and the Stars was the epitome of this. I was in a cast with 15 other actors, all of whom were at different stages in their careers. It was a joy to observe, converse and explore with them all. Working on such a high profile show and seeing how our director Tom Creed and the creative team navigated that was beautiful.

I hope to constantly be in awe of those around me, to appreciate and celebrate all who have come before me and who will come after.

The Plough And The Stars by Sean O’Casey (Abbey Theatre, 2026).
Photographer: Ros Kavanagh

If I’m not working as an actor you’ll find me in my other world as a Speech & Drama teacher. I love working with young people and continuing to be creative outside of acting projects. I also spend a lot of time reading, watching both great and rubbish TV, and practicing Pilates. My upcoming side quest is a short course in Ancient Roman and Greek Religion/Mythology!

Stage or screen? Stage.

Comedy or drama? I watch more comedy but have performed in more dramas…Comedy.

English or Irish? Gaeilge.

Dream role? I love the Ancient Greeks. Within their texts, myths and stories are so many incredible female characters that I would love to bring to life eg. Antigone, Electra, Medea.

Actor you’d most love to work with? There is something to learn from every actor I’m privileged enough to get to work with.

One thing people might be surprised to know about you? At college I scored higher in academic assignments than in acting assessments. That even surprised me.