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Theatre Development Programme for Emerging Artists

Theatre Development Programme for Emerging Artists

 

The closing date for applications for this initiative has now passed.

Town Hall Theatre, with the support of the Arts Council, this week launched a ‘Theatre Development Programme’ to offer support and mentorship to emerging artists. The programme will be facilitated by director Andrew Flynn, who will lead the programme and assisted by a panel of experienced theatre makers from various disciplines who have all excelled in their careers. These practitioners will be available to support and to share knowledge and experience with emerging artists and companies. The programme will offer practical supports, career guidance and art form mentorship to the next generation of theatre makers. Andrew and the panel will be available to work with artists and companies to support them in developing their art form and ensuring these artists can enhance their work and observe best practice from established theatre makers.

For this programme, Town Hall Theatre defines 'emerging theatre artists' as individual artists, arts workers or companies who are at an early stage of their practice OR returning to their practice after an absence We welcome applications from artists of all genders, nationalities, races, cultural backgrounds, ages, religions, languages, different abilities, sexual orientations or socio-economic statuses.

Applications are welcome from professional independent theatre makers who consider themselves at an early stage in their career. Applicants don’t have to reside in Galway but a priority will be given to theatre artists who are based in Galway or have a strong connection/ relationship with Galway.

The closing date for applications is 23 May at 5pm.

Applications and supporting documents can be emailed to gthtdevelopment@gmail.com


Download the PDF for the Theatre Development Programme

The process is open to theatre makers and practitioners from all disciplines who feel they will benefit from taking part in the development programme. Applicants do not have to earn their living exclusively from their work in the arts, but they must self-identify and be recognised by their peers as a practicing professional artist or arts worker. Since 1996, Town Hall Theatre has played a major role in helping new and emergent theatre makers to develop their art form and practice. In recent years Galway has seen a large increase in the number of independent professional theatre makers living and working from Galway.

Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the programme include: to provide mentorship and support to emerging theatre makers in Galway; develop capacity for Galway-based theatre makers; Provide professional development for the next generation of theatre artists; establish a dialogue between professional artists with a proven track record and emerging artists at an early point in their careers; to provide supports that can help independent artists to develop and help them to achieve the highest standards of excellence in their art form; and develop capacity of Town Hall Theatre to become a centre of excellence that can give professional supports Galway based artists.

The project will take place over a six-month period in 2021 and there will be an open call for applications from emerging artists. Priority will be given to Galway based artists or artists who have a strong connection with Galway. An independent panel will assess the applications and 10 artists/ companies will be selected for inclusion in the development programme. Candidates will be chosen who show talent, ambition and a clear desire to develop their craft and art form.

Process

Andrew Flynn will lead this process reaching out and creating a dialogue and mentorship with each emerging artist/company. Several formal meetings and mentorship sessions will be facilitated between Andrew and the companies/artists. This will provide a safe space to discuss, learn and develop from the experiences and learnings of high quality theatre makers. Participating artists will also avail of master-classes/mentorship days from artists/practitioners who are part of the mentorship panel. The development programme has created a panel of quality theatre makers and practitioners who will work with practitioners on collaboration days. The collaboration days will be established in conjunction with the participating artists. The programme will place an emphasis on process not production and is very much to give theatre makers time to learn/enhance and develop their craft.

Who can apply?

Applications are welcome from individual/companies and arts workers, including:

The Town Hall Theatre is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible programme. We have budgeted to cover costs of additional needs for mentors and participants including - but not limited to - contributions towards childcare costs for parents, contributions towards the cost of transport for artists with disabilities, recording of online meetings and providing transcripts and providing accessible work spaces. We are also open to non-written applications. If you have additional needs please get in touch and let us know how we can support you in your application and your participation gthtdevelopment@gmail.com

Alongside your application can you include supporting documentation: CV OR Bio (A maximum of 3 reviews of your work if you have them). The closing date for applications is 23 May at 5pm.

Applications and supporting documents can be emailed to gthtdevelopment@gmail.com

Professional Mentor Panel

Established theatre artists and practitioners have agreed to be part of the development programme mentorship panel. All of the mentors are artists and practitioners who have a proven track record of working in theatre and their work has achieved the highest standards of excellence. The mentorship panel has beenselected to try and create a bank of knowledge and expertise in the majority of art forms within theatre

  • Owen McCarthaigh
    Set Design and Construction
  • Carl Kennedy
    Music Composition and Sound Design
  • Ciaran Bagnall
    Set Design and Lighting Design
  • Roisin Stack
    Director, writer, strategy
  • Maria Tivnan
    Director, Writer, Actor
  • Emma O’Grady
    Actor, Writer, Technical skills
  • Petra Breathnach
    Mask and Costume Design
  • Sinead Cuthbert
    Costume design and construction
  • Brynn Murphy
    Producer/ PR and Marketing
  • Tracey Lindsay
    Stage Management/ Production management
  • Tara O Connor
    Theatre Admin and Financial Management
  • Conor Geoghegan
    Movement and Physical Theatre
  • Fergal Mc Grath
    Venue Director, Town Hall Theatre