Aussie Scot Gaelic-speaking, Sword Balancing, Stilt Performing, Storytelling, Sculpting, Circus Fire Polymath Powerhouse

TRACS Andy Hunter Storytelling Bursary Awardee 2020

“Thoroughly enjoyable & worthwhile… great to learn from a specialist”, “Smashing, extraordinary, fantastic, incredible, funny, excellent, wonderful, entertaining, amazing, spectacular, speechless”, “ When can we do that again?” Teachers & Students, Renfrew Gaelic Arts Schools Tour, 2019

Workshops - Storytelling Theatre in Education - Circus - Graffiti Art Murals - Street Spectacle - Sculpture - Fire Art -  Rap & More!

Featured at many of Scotland's highest profile festivals & events: Lead Artist, Edinburgh's Hogmanay Torchlight Procession National Year of Young People #ScotArt Project (2018), Scottish Storytelling Centre (Tradfest 2020, 2017, 2016, 2015), Faclan Hebridean Book Festival (2019), Wigtown Book Festival (2018), Burnsfest (2018), European Championships Carnival Parade, Glasgow (2018), West End Festival (2017, 2019), Belladrum (2016), Blas Festival (2014, 2015, 2016), Aye Write (2016, 2017, 2018), Solas Festival (2015, 2017), Commonwealth Games Cultural Festival (2014), Merchant City Festival (2012, 2013, 2014), Glasgow Mela (2013), Edinburgh Mela (2015), Royal National Mòd (2013, 2014), Paisley Halloween Festival (2014, 2015, 2016), Irvine Festival of Light (2016). Ariel's sculptures have been erected on Edinburgh's prestigious Royal Mile, and her artwork has also featured in major national British & Scottish newspapers such as The Guardian, The Times, The Scotsman & The National as well as many regional & national newspapers in Ireland & Northern Ireland.

 Make Gaelic Awesome!

Because it is.

Every child should have the opportunity to link words like ‘Awesome’ with Gaelic & open the door to the vast & rich universe of Scots’ expression in Story, Song & Landscape.

“A fantastic and thrilling experience for both pupils and teachers alike. Ariel’s enthusiasm and commitment to her craft is a must for those who wish to immerse the children in the wonderful world of Gaelic.” P4 Teacher, Gartcosh Primary School, North Lanarkshire.

“ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!! One of the best, most engaging workshops I have had yet! The children absolutely loved it! I would highly recommend this to anyone!” Teacher, P4 Viewlands Primary, Perth

Choose from a variety of Workshops or Projects to excite & engage children, young people, communities & families, including four 45 min. highly reviewed, extensively toured bilingual Gaelic immersive & interactive Storytelling Theatre in Education Shows for schools, families & community groups: Sgàthach & The Gaelic Superheroes, Big Gaelic Beasties, Adventures with the Gaelic Tree Alphabet & The Real Goldilocks Story.

"Superb workshop enjoyed by all pupils”, “Clear links to a variety of curricular areas, including languages, drama, H&WB”, “Pupil with ASN very well integrated and supported – most impressed”, “Everyone was able to take part”  Teacher, Gartcosh Primary

Since 2013, Ariel has delivered over 1,000 workshops, performances & sessions for some 300 schools, communities, groups & festivals across Scotland & working directly with more than 13,000 children, young people & adults, and many thousands more through her Street Theatre work - creating paid employment for 50 Arts Workers on well over 30 major Arts projects & events.

Linking Celtic with Contemporary & Gaelic with Fun!

"Awesome!" "Actually really cool!" "Brilliant!" "Children loved that it was a little different!" Pupils & Teacher, Caledonia Primary

Ariel is one of a rare breed of street performers with not only: 

• years of professional Stilt Entertainment experience in a wide range of contexts, from community to corporate & Celtic-language cultural events

• but also extensive experience as a multi-arts workshop facilitator, designing and delivering diverse workshop programmes for children & young people in both educational and extra-curricular contexts

• up to and including directing creative consultation and content design & development for entire street theatre & spectacle parades.

Trained in Scotland, Ireland, New York, Sydney & London, including with the National Theatre of Scotland, Ariel's work is in demand for schools, parades and community & corporate festivals & events.

"Professional in every way possible" McCracken Summer School

Additionally, Ariel holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Community Arts Education from Ireland's National College of Art & Design, is a trained actor, a member of the Scottish Circus & Street Arts Network & the Irish Street Arts, Circus & Spectacle Network, and an experienced Voiceover Artist and scriptwriter, focussing largely on scripted work for indoor venues incorporating a variety of circus skills, as well as street theatre. Please see Theatre Work for further details on her experience as an actor, writer and producer. Ariel also holds full PVG Membership as well as ACCESS NI certification.

"I would like to express my thanks for the fantastic experience you gave the children yesterday. All of them enjoyed it (and me too!)" Cairde Uí Néill

A direct descendent of the Shiaba McKechnie's of Mull, via her Grandmother, Jess McKechnie, and apparently, somewhat less directly, Robert the Bruce, via her great grandfather's grandmother, a staunchly proud Bruce from Dunbar, Ariel is delighted to be now work in Scots Gaelic as well as Irish. Ariel is the first known Gaelic-speaking member of her Australian family in some 150 years, and returned to Mull for the first time in 2013, on personal invitation from the local Mull and National Mod Director, Janet MacDonald.

Ariel also co-founded Australia's first Scots Gaelic Summer & Autumn schools in 1997, with then President of the Sydney University Celtic Society, Alisdair Taylor, and the schools have now been running for some 22 years under the auspices of the Australian Scots Gaelic Society. 

 © Ariel Killick 2019

™ Stàt Neo-Eisimeileach Sonais / Independent State of Happiness It's a State of Mind