Hijinx’s Aberystwyth-based Academy Thanks Top Volunteer Oliver for a Year of Support
As part of Volunteers’ Week 2025, inclusive theatre company Hijinx would like to celebrate the work of their volunteers both within sessions and behind the scenes.
Hijinx are one of Europe’s leading inclusive theatre companies working to pioneer, produce and promote opportunities for actors with learning disabilities and/or autism. Hijinx’s five Academies across Wales provide professional performance training for learning disabled and/or autistic actors. Hijinx then represent the actors via their casting platform Hijinx Actors, helping to find them work in theatre and film.
One of these Academies, the Mid Academy, takes place in Aberystwyth Arts Centre, where they are lucky to have the support of regular volunteer Oliver Riordan, who joins the group most Mondays. Oliver helps support the Academy actors during sessions and enjoys taking part in the warmups, games, drama activities, training and even performances too.
Cath Rigler, a Tutor at Mid Academy, explains more:
“Hijinx Theatre produce high-quality inclusive professional theatre work; they also run Academies where adults who identify as neurodivergent / learning disabled and/or autistic can train as professional actors. Hijinx Mid Academy meets every Monday at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, and it is fantastic to have Oliver with us as a regular volunteer. He is a really valued member of our group, having him with us makes a real difference to our actors - and it is clear he totally enjoys himself too!”
Oliver agrees:
“[Hijinx are] a very important theatre company; there are very few companies specialising in neurodivergent actor training. The group is very welcoming, and they are a wonderful bunch to work with, total professionals - I love it here! I feel like I’m improving my own personal training and practices even while I’m mostly focusing on the support I can give to the actors.”
If you would like to find out more about Hijinx and the volunteering opportunities they provide, then please contact Jacqui Onions at jacqui.onions@hijinx.org.uk, or fill in the form on the Hijinx website.
Hijinx’s Mid Academy also has spaces for new people to join. If you or someone you know has a learning disability and/or autism and is looking for an opportunity for professional performance training, please contact Cath on cath.rigler@hijinx.org.uk to find out more and arrange a taster session with the group.
