Michael Keegan-Dolan
Michael Keegan-Dolan was the founder and artistic director of Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre (1997-2015), creating three Olivier Award-nominated productions: Giselle (2003), The Bull (2005), and The Rite of Spring (2009). After his initial dance training at the Central School of Ballet in London he then studied and trained with Japanese Sword Master, John Evans and Yoga Guru, Shandor Remete. In 2004, his production of Giselle won an Irish Times Theatre Award. The Bull received a UK Critic’s Circle National Dance Award in 2008. Rian, created in 2011, won a Bessie Award (New York Dance and Performance Award) for Best Production. In 2012 he directed and choreographed a new production of Handel’s Julius Caesar at the London Coliseum, for English National Opera. In 2015 he created The Big Noise, for the GoteborgOperans DansKompani.. As Guest Artistic Director of the National Youth Dance Company at Sadler’s Wells London for the 2015 – 2016 season, Michael created In-Nocentes. In March 2017, he devised a new work to Dvorak’s 8th Symphony for the Dance Company at the Gärtnerplatztheater, Munich. He has extensive experience teaching and has led workshops for a range of dance and theatre companies. Michael was an associate at Sadler’s Wells London from 2011 - 2025.
Teaċ Daṁsa was established by Michael Keegan-Dolan and Rachel Poirier in 2016 when their company, Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre moved from the midlands of Ireland to the West Kerry Gaeltacht. Teaċ Daṁsa makes dance and theatre work inspired by the traditions, language and music of Ireland. Teaċ Daṁsa is a place where artists come together to make dance and theatre work that can transform both artist and audience. While grounded in Ireland the company draws upon an international ensemble of performers, artists and collaborators and has created productions that have toured both nationally and internationally. Teaċ Daṁsa first production, Swan Lake / Loch na hEala was ground-breaking and won the Irish Times Theatre Award 2017 for Best New Production and the UK Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Best Production 2018. It toured extensively throughout the world. MÁM created in 2019, was the first show entirely conceived, rehearsed and produced in the West Kerry Gaeltacht and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Production in 2020 and two UK Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards in 2021. MÁM has since toured to Perth International Festival, New Zealand Festival, Taiwan International Festival of the Arts, Sadler’s Wells London, Théâtre de la Ville Paris, Venice Biennale, Teatros del Canal Madrid, Bord Gais Theatre Dublin, amongst others. In 2022, Teaċ Daṁsa premiered How To Be A Dancer In Seventy-two Thousand Easy Lessons at the Dublin Theatre Festival (a co-production with the Gate Theatre). The piece has since toured nationally and internationally, including Galway International Arts Festival, Cervantino Festival Mexico, St Ann’s Warehouse New York and most recently Teatros del Canal Madrid. The production was shortlisted for a Sky Arts Award in 2024. Teaċ Daṁsa returned to the Dublin Theatre Festival in 2024 with Michael’s newest creation, NOBODADDY, in a sold-out run of 10 shows. In November 2024, Teaċ Daṁsa presented Nobodaddy at Sadlers Wells, London. Teaċ Daṁsa created Naoi Déag Seachtó Cúig - 1975 in 2025 for ten sold out performances at their new studio space in West Kerry. How To Be A Dancer In Seventy-two Thousand Easy Lessons will tour to Sadlers Wells East and The Only Tune will premier in London, a collaboration with Nico Muhly, Sm amidon and the Britten Sinfonia. In 2026 - Naoi Déag Seachtó Cúig - 1975 and MÁM will tour extensively, both nationally and internationally. Our workshop programme at our new studio will also grow.
