Our Story
The business born out of a pandemic
In 2020 when the world was falling apart, in a small coffee shop in Ballymoney an idea was ignited. Many voice notes, walks and gym sessions later Ever Unique Productions was born. Out of the minds of two women from the North Coast of Northern Ireland, the desire for a unique place for young people to learn, nourish and create pieces of theatre and film started to grow.
Fast forward a few months and Ever Unique officially opened its door (even if it was virtually) to the young people of the North Coast. We are continuing to grow and reach more young people but we have our eyes set on the stars and want to continue to impact young people with everything we do. Our ethos is to be an educational theatre company committed to providing young people with the confidence and creativity to grow into well-rounded young adults. We believe we can provide a safe place for young people to learn new skills, to nourish their journey of discovery and create unique pieces of theatre and film.
Through the power of drama we aim to address the issues prevalent in our young people's lives whilst moulding the actors of tomorrow.
Not only do we focus on creating great theatre and film, we offer LCM acting exams, private lessons, school seminars, youth and community group projects, interview and audition coaching, workplace team building seminars and video production services.
Co-directed by Martina McAfee, Be Unique Drama School director and founder, and Hannah Reilly, award-winning freelance facilitator and director. Find out more about them below!
Our Team
Hannah Reilly
Hannah Reilly is the first half of our dynamic duo and the co-founder and co-director of Ever Unique Productions. Hannah is a BA Hons Drama and English graduate of Queens University Belfast. She has been a freelance drama and dance facilitator for 7 years working with companies all over Northern Ireland. She also trained with Apollo Arts Repertory Theatre in Belfast, performing in the Eastside Arts Festival and the Grand Opera House.
An avid director she has worked on several productions including credits in the Mac, Accidental and Belvoir theatres. Hannah has successfully put over 50 students through their LCM acting exams with a 100% pass rate. Under her guidance, her students have won several awards at the Belfast Drama Festival including first place in the improvisation category 3 years running.
Hannah has facilitated for several Councils, schools and community organisations. She worked on Terra Nova's ANDdream project funded by Ards and North Down Borough Council and the PEACE IV fund. She then went on to work with Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with the PSNI to develop and promote their No Hate Here Campaign. Hannah has also worked with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in a school's project in the Ardhowen Theatre. She has experience working with VOYPIC, Headway, BEAM Creative network and schools all across NI.
Having worked as an Activity Therapist, experience facilitating in both South Africa and Poland as well as ASD and TEFL training, she has experience working with people from all walks of life. To develop her skill set further, she undertook training in screen acting. suicide prevention, business development with Women in Business and anger management, with a specialisation in grief and trauma.
Martina McAfee
Martina McAfee is co-founder and co-director of Ever Unique Productions. A BA Honors Drama Graduate from Queen’s University Belfast. During her time at Queens, Martina took part in the Brian Friel summer intensive working alongside David Bolger, choreographer of the Dancing at Lughnasa feature film, starring Meryl Streep. She then performed at the 'Remembering Brian Friel' event in the Brian Friel theatre alongside well known names such as Frankie McCafferty and Dr. Tim Loane., won Best Supporting Actress, directed a performance of 'Remembrance' by Graham Reid and worked for Entwined Histories, on their Belfast MIll project.
After graduating she set up a highly successful company, Be Unique Drama School which provides drama and dance to children all over the North Coast area of Northern Ireland. Be Unique is an external provider for the Northern Trust and Education Authority, regularly hosting Shared Education in schools across Northern Ireland.
Martina has also undertook training in children's yoga concepts, mindfulness meditation with Pretzel Play and young people behavioural management.
Martina brings acting, directing, facilitating and business knowledge to Ever Unique and has a real passion of sharing arts and theatre with young people.
