FÓGRA: Clár na nDrámadóirí Óga á chur i láthair ag Graffiti, The Everyman agus Fighting Words
- Are you or do you know a young person aged 16-22 who is passionate about writing?
- Do you have a pal who needs a little encouragement to take the next step with their writing?
- Would you like to see your writing performed on the Everyman stage by professional actors?
Graffiti, The Everyman and Fighting Words are excited to collaborate with acclaimed local and international playwrights Enda Walsh, Katie Holly and John McCarthy to host a 6-month playwriting programme for young people aged 16 to 22 years who are interested in developing their writing skills for performance.
Beginning with a blank page, the selected young writers will respond to writing prompts and exercises to develop their voice as they explore writing for performance, what makes a play, and what play they wish to make.
Individual voices shall be encouraged, mentored and supported over 6 monthly workshops in Cork to create short plays which will be performed by professional actors, in a series of rehearsed readings on the Everyman stage in May 2022.
(Photograher credit: Marcin Lewandowski / Sound of Photography)
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This opportunity is open to young people aged 16 to 22 based in Munster, who are passionate about finding their voice as a writer and seeing their work performed.
We encourage applications from young people who are d/Deaf, neurodiverse, blind/visually impaired or disabled, those from minority ethnic communities and those who feel their voices are not commonly represented in the contemporary world.
We welcome Irish language writers to participate in this project through the medium of Irish. We will provide support and translation to facilitate a bilingual writing journey. Samples of writing in Irish can be included in the application.
Cuirimid fáilte roimh scríbhneoirí le Gaeilge páirt a ghlacadh sa togra seo as Gaeilge. Cuirfear tacaíocht agus aistriúcháin ar fáil chun an turas scríbhneoireachta dátheangach le John, Enda agus Katie a éascú. Is féidir samplaí Gaeilge a bheith mar chuid den iarratas. Eolas as Gaeilge ag an nasc seo: https://www.graffiti.ie/news/
DO I NEED PREVIOUS WRITING EXPERIENCE TO APPLY?
No previous play writing experience is necessary but enthusiasm and a passion for writing for performance is key. You may never have written for actors before, you may be a spoken word or song writer, as long as you’re keen to learn, experience of theatre isn’t needed! The eight selected artists that complete the programme will be equipped with the tools to write engaging, innovative and ambitious stories for performance.
WHEN WILL THE COURSE TAKE PLACE?
The programme will take place during six monthly in person workshops at Graffiti in Cork between November 2021 and May 2022, with additional online mentorship and feedback throughout the programme. This will culminate in a showcase event at the Everyman on the first weekend in May 2022. Successful applicants will be required to attend all workshops and to dedicate time to reflecting, reading and writing between the monthly workshops.
Programme dates:
Workshop dates are as follows and subject to change with advance notice:
- Saturdays 11am-2pm: 20th November 2021, 11th December 2021, 8th January 2022, 5th February 2022, 2nd April 2022, 23rd April 2022, at Graffiti, Blackpool, Cork
- Rehearsed reading at the Everyman: weekend 6th to 8th May 2022
- Participants will be invited to attend a range of theatre productions at the Everyman over the course of the programme, and will also receive delegate passes for the Midsummer Festival June 2022.
HOW MUCH DOES THE PROGRAMME COST?
The workshop programme is free of charge to participants thanks to funding from the Arts Council via Graffiti and the Everyman, and from Fighting Words via Creative Ireland.
HOW DO I APPLY?
To apply you must be:
- Between 16 and 22 years of age
- NOT studying drama, theatre studies or creative writing at third level
- Based in Munster and able to travel to Cork for workshops (there will be online feedback sessions and some travel subsidy is available on request)
- Available to attend ALL workshops on the dates above
- Able to dedicate time to reflect, read and write between monthly meetings.
Please send to graffitiypp@gmail.com with ‘Young Playwrights programme application’ in the subject line:
- Your Name, Age and contact details including email address and mobile number
- a short letter (1 page max) or video (2 mins max) to introduce yourself, outlining why you would like a place on this programme. We welcome submissions in English or in Irish.
- a sample of your creative writing (for example a scene from a play; an extract from a story, poetry, spoken word or song) this can be up to 500 words. We welcome submissions in English or in Irish.
- Confirmation that you will be able to attend the workshops on the dates above, and have the capability to attend online feedback sessions via Zoom
- Let us know if you have any specific access requirements in order to take part in the programme
Please note, we will not be in a position to provide in-depth feedback on individual applications.
Application and selection dates:
- Closing date for applications: 31st October at 6pm
- Selected candidates will be notified by: Monday 8th November
About Graffiti
GRAFFITI creates theatre and arts experiences for children and young people, nurturing curiosity and imagination to enrich lives and imagine a better world. Established in 1984 in Cork, Graffiti offers a range of arts engagement opportunities in both English and Irish, through drama skills workshops, creative writing sessions, in-classroom creative learning, playwright mentoring, Early Years encounters, Activate Youth Theatre, and theatre productions aimed at children and young people, as well as the young at heart.
About the Everyman
The Everyman is a non-profit theatre in Cork city centre that creates and presents the best in Irish and international performance. Our mission is to present high quality work for all of our audiences, in person and online, creating amazing moments and extraordinary stories. We aim to support a diverse range of artists at all stages of their careers. We strive to present art for everyone, for audiences young and old, from all communities and backgrounds. We produce theatre which responds to the world around it, yet remains rooted in Cork. We remain committed to the artistic future of our city and county, creating training and opportunities for children, young people, emerging artists and communities.
About Fighting Words
Fighting Words provides free tutoring and mentoring in creative writing and related arts to as many children, young adults and adults with special needs as we can reach. Our programmes and workshops are designed and delivered mainly by volunteer writing mentors, including experienced practitioners in all areas of writing.. Co-founded by Roddy Doyle and Seán Love in 2009, Fighting Words operates in 18 locations across the island of Ireland.
