ARTIST DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES

Programmes and opportunities for professional development for playwrights / theatre artists. 

MAKE
 http://www.theatreforum.ie/training/make/make-home/

MAKE is an initiative of Cork Midsummer Festival, Tiger Dublin Fringe , Project Arts Centre and Theatre Forum for the purpose of generating new performance work. MAKE is an artist development programme that provides valuable time and focus for fifteen performance makers to develop work.  This residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre offers thinking time, studio space and mentorship to develop theatre and performance projects, working individually or in collaboration with other artists. Production and AV support is also available to residents. Renowned international mentors are on hand with support and guidance. 

Pan Pan International Mentorship 
http://panpantheatre.com/shows/mentorship/

The main focus of the Pan Pan mentoring bursary is for artists to buy time to work on an idea for performance in its development stages, outside of the pressures of production. The bursary stipend is intended to be used as a fee towards taking time to work on the idea. The engagement of the mentor is aimed to pose challenges and interrogations to the work in development within a supportive structure. This mentorship is being devised by Pan Pan as a way of re-engaging with the Dublin International Theatre Symposium that they ran from 1997-2001. The Symposium encouraged Irish and international artists to work together and to share their ideas and practices through workshops, work in progress showings and full performances.

Rough Magic SEEDS
http://www.roughmagic.ie/artist-development/seeds

Rough Magic's SEEDS is a structured development initiative for emerging theatre practitioners. Now in its twelfth year, the SEEDS Programme has introduced a new generation of Irish theatre-makers to the professional theatre world. Participants have the opportunity to observe and experience Rough Magic’s work and to gain exposure to the working methods of international artists through mentoring and placements. Funded by the Arts Council, participants on the SEEDS Programme participate in an 20-24 month programme, individually curated to provide the artists with the support they need to develop their craft and advance their careers. Mentoring by established and highly experienced artists lies at the heart of the process, as well as international research trips, an international placement with a leading practitioner or organisation and hands-on experience assisting on Rough Magic productions. These experiences culminate in a showcase, which take place in the second year of the programme. The SEEDS writer receives a full commission to deliver an original play over the course of the Programme and is mentored by an experienced playwright or playwrights throughout the process. The SEEDS writer receives support and feedback from Rough Magic’s dramaturg and participates in a structured development programme involving one-on-one script meetings, workshops and private readings. The writer’s programme is to some extent separate from the other individual programmes, but the SEEDS writer participates in a number of combined activities including workshops and international travel. SEEDS participants are paid a bursary while participating on the programme and Rough Magic also covers all travel and accommodation expenses for international research trips and placements. 

The Next Stage
http://www.theatreforum.ie/training/the-next-stage/

Described by past participants as "career changing," a "rare amount of inspiration" and "a once in a lifetime opportunity," the Next Stage is the artist development strand of the Festival. The challenging programme, spanning all 18 days of the festival, is an intense combination of exposure to the highest quality theatre and active participation. In addition to a very busy schedule of performances, there is a series of talks and workshops led by some of the world's leading theatre makers. Past workshop leaders/speakers include Garry Hynes, Annie Ryan, Ruth Little, Tim Crouch, Stephen Rea, Lloyd Newson, Declan Donnellan and Anne Bogart. Up to eighteen Irish theatre practitioners from all disciplines will be chosen to participate in this intimate programme. Participation is by application only.