Apr 23 2025
Calling all theatre artists in Galway City and County
The Town Hall Theatre, in partnership with Theatre Artist James Riordan and Galway Theatre Festival, are inviting applications for Blas, a pilot Artist Development programme to take place over 7 months during 2025. We are seeking early to mid-career theatre and performance artists from or based in Galway City or County. The purpose of this first stage of Blas is to support a group of artists to develop new solo pieces of theatre to a work-in-progress stage in 2025, with a view to full production in 2026.
The programme will involve bespoke mentorship, masterclasses, rehearsal space and technical support and will be led by Theatre Artist James Riordan (Brú Theatre). The Town Hall has had a long-standing relationship with James, who was Theatre Artist in Residence of the building for two years and who has presented his work on the main stage.
We are keen to assist in the sustainability of artists making work in Galway, welcoming the selected artists into the venue in the heart of Galway city and supporting them with all of our available resources. Applications may be submitted in English or Irish and we welcome proposals from artists working in either language. We particularly welcome applications from the global majority. Blas is funded by the Town Hall Patrons Award and the Arts Council.
The programme includes:
A €3,000 stipend for each of the 3 selected artists.
Continuing in-person and online mentorship and support from James Riordan, along with an assortment of professional mentors. Successful applicants must attend 6 in-person days in Galway city throughout the programme, along with their own rehearsals. Dates to be decided with the chosen artists to allow flexibility.
Strategic and Dramaturgical support.
Access to the Town Hall Studio throughout the remainder of 2025.
A sharing to an invited audience.
Support from Galway Theatre Festival, with an eye towards presenting the finished pieces as part of the festival in the future.
Networking events in the city with funders, festivals and venues.
A number of theatre tickets for shows in the Town Hall and Black Box, including Q and A’s with visiting theatre companies.
Timeline
Dates:
Call Out - Thursday April 24th
Deadline Thursday May 15th at 5pm
Outcome May 23rd
Blas begins June 9th
About the Town Hall
The Town Hall Theatre is Galway’s premier performing arts venue, at the epicentre of Galway’s cultural activity and providing a platform and supportive environment for artists and arts organisations. This pilot programme is part of a number of initiatives to encourage and support creative development for Galway artists, companies and producers and to assist with the creation of work by Galway artists in the performing arts; theatre, music and dance.
The Town Hall Theatre online booking system features a Patron Donation option and anyone who wishes to donate to the Awards can do so here - tht.ie/patron-donation-awards/
Town Hall Theatre wishes to thank everyone who has donated in the past and looks forward to continued support for the development and creation of exciting work by artists in Galway in the future.
About James Riordan
James Riordan(he/him) is Artistic Director of Brú Theatre. He is a writer and theatre maker from Galway and trained at LISPA (London) and the APT (Berlin).
James spent many years working in Berlin and London for companies including the ENO and Absurda Comica and was a core member of The LipSinkers (UK) for 4 years. After returning to Ireland, he set up Brú in 2018 with Jill Murray.Brú have produced 7 shows to date, and tour nationally and internationally, most recently bringing Not a Word to the Barbican centre London.
In 2024 he was Resident Director with the Abbey Theatre and directed the 2023 flagship Macnas Parade, Cnámha La Loba. He was Digital Artist in Residence with the Centre for Creative Technologies at the University of Galway in 2023 and is an Irish Times Theatre Awards Best Actor nominee 2020 for his role in Brú’s Selvage.
About Galway Theatre Festival
Galway Theatre Festival, founded in 2008, is the only dedicated theatre festival in the West. GTF presents and produces high-quality, innovative and bilingual work that expands the definition of what theatre can be. The festival’s activities in theatre strengthen the West’s wider performing arts and cultural scene by fostering sustainable artist development through a lasting organisation and funding model. Through strategic partnerships with artists, audiences, arts groups, and funders, it aims to ensure a vibrant, evolving festival that champions creativity and opportunity in the region.
The Application
Artists are invited to submit an online written or video application (3 mins max). Details available here and below.
Applications are open to artists based or from Galway City and County.
Criteria: Applications will be assessed according to the following 3 criteria:
Eligibility of Application - the application form is completed in appropriate detail and is submitted on time; that the proposal meets the aims of the Blas programme including support of ambitious and original projects that can be realised by the end of 2026. Artists should have no more than 3 professionally produced pieces to date. Applications are welcome from artists who have completed other artist development programmes in the city, including FUEL and Remote Control. Applications must not currently be in full time education.
Quality and Nature of Proposal - the excellence and originality of the project or piece of work being proposed in terms of theme or idea and/or in terms of formal approach, and is feasible to get to Work in Progress stage this year. The Town Hall Theatre is open to supporting future productions along with other partners .
Public Engagement - the quality and ambition of the project in its ability to connect to audiences.
Application Questions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nBt8gKPfDhUXnPERY1Unkyxd3WO_ZW5m8kIhFuKBlzk/edit
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