Breaking Barriers Through The Arts- Suitcases And Skies

In a world where conversations around inclusion are becoming increasingly important, one production in Belfast is proving that the arts can do far more than entertain — they can transform lives.
This weekend, the legendary Ulster Hall will host Suitcases and Skies, a remarkable performance featuring 140 adults with additional needs. The show combines music, dance, drama, and visual art, but its true power lies in the confidence, connection, and community it has created behind the scenes.
For participants like 27-year-old Jamiee-Leigh Tweed, the experience has been life-changing. What began as a creative project evolved into a journey of personal growth. Jamiee-Leigh spoke proudly about learning new skills, making friends, and discovering confidence through singing and dancing.
That confidence is a recurring theme throughout the production. Fellow performer Adam Thompson described the joy of dancing with friends and contributing artwork for the stage backdrops. These contributions highlight something often overlooked in conversations about disability and inclusion: talent flourishes when people are given the opportunity and support to express themselves.
Directed by Ciara McGeown of CMAC Creative Arts and Wellbeing, the production brought together groups from across Belfast over six months of rehearsals. Coordinating such a large cast presented logistical challenges, but it also created a rare sense of unity.
The project demonstrates how creative spaces can become powerful social spaces. Participants who may once have felt isolated or hesitant found themselves collaborating, performing, and growing together. According to organisers, many cast members were initially too shy to participate in drama activities. Over time, they found their voices — literally and emotionally.
That transformation speaks to a broader truth about the arts. Inclusive creative programmes are not simply “activities”; they are platforms for empowerment. They help challenge outdated perceptions around disability while allowing individuals to showcase their abilities rather than their limitations.
The production is also part of the Belfast Local Community Action Plan supported by Peaceplus, reinforcing the idea that community-building and inclusion go hand in hand. Through shared artistic experiences, barriers between people can begin to disappear.
What makes Suitcases and Skies especially meaningful is that it shifts the narrative. Too often, disability stories are framed around obstacles or dependency. This production instead celebrates creativity, achievement, and collaboration. It reminds audiences that inclusion is not about charity — it is about opportunity, visibility, and recognition.
The choice of venue adds another layer of symbolism. The Ulster Hall has welcomed some of music’s biggest names over the decades, from Led Zeppelin to AC/DC. Now, its stage will belong to performers whose stories are just as important and inspiring.
At a time when many communities are searching for ways to become more inclusive, Suitcases and Skies offers a powerful example of what is possible when creativity, support, and opportunity come together.
And perhaps the most moving part of all is not the scale of the production or the prestige of the venue — it is hearing participants proudly say: “I’m really proud of myself.”
Sometimes, that is the greatest performance of all.