A 6-month playwriting programme led by Finegan Kruckemeyer

for established and emerging playwrights interested in writing for young audiences

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, Graffiti Theatre and TYA Ireland are excited to collaborate with International TYA Playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer to host a new playwriting programme for writers and theatre makers in Ireland who are interested in writing plays for young audiences.

At a time when the world and its distances are both larger and smaller than ever before, a collaboration will occur, spanning half a globe, and half a year, and driven by that most exciting of provocations – to forge something from nothing.

Beginning with a blank page, eight Irish authors will respond to writing aids and impositions both as they explore theatre for young audiences – what makes a TYA play, and what TYA play they wish to make.

But more important than the audience, shall be the idea. And in writing work solemn and silly, foreign and known, as vast as an ocean and as small as a boat which may rock upon it, eight individual voices shall be celebrated, and their plays play out to their ends.

Who is this for?

This opportunity is open to both established and emerging playwrights, residing in Ireland, interested in writing plays for young audiences. We encourage applications from artists with a disability, those from minority ethnic communities and those who feel their voices are not commonly represented. There are eight places available on the programme.

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 with Fin. 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 Fin a éascú. Is féidir samplaí Gaeilge a bheith mar chuid den iarratas.

Do I need previous writing experience to apply?

No previous play writing experience is necessary but enthusiasm and a passion for theatre for young audiences and a good story is a prerequisite. The eight selected artists that complete the programme will be equipped with the tools to write engaging, innovative and ambitious plays for children.  We hope the participants on this programme will be encouraged to seek funding so that their work will be developed, produced and presented on Irish and International stages.

When will the course take place?

The programme will take place during six monthly two hour Zoom workshops between March and September 2021 with an ambition to meet in person at Baboró’s annual festival in Galway in October 2021. There will be an hour-long introductory session in early March so that the participants can meet Finegan and each other. Successful applicants will be required to attend all 7 virtual workshops and to dedicate time to reflecting, reading and writing between the monthly workshops.

Workshop dates:

Virtual workshop dates are as follows and subject to change with advance notice:             

Intro Session:        Tuesday 9 March, 9am – 10am

Workshops:                         Tuesdays 9am – 11am

    23 March, 20 April, 18 May, 22 Jun, 20 July, 14 Sept

In Person Encounter:   Between 4 and 17 October 2021 (TBC)

Programme cost:

The workshop programme is free of charge to participants thanks to funding from the Arts Council via Baboró and Graffiti. It is presented in association with TYAI.

How do I apply?

To apply you must be:

• Over 18 years of age
• Based in Ireland
• Available to attend ALL virtual meetings on the dates below
• Able to dedicate time to reflect, read and write between monthly meetings. For this reason, full time students are not encouraged to apply

Please send to rachel@baboro.ie with ‘You, Fin and the Play Between application’ in the subject line:

• a short letter (1 page max) or video (2 mins max) to introduce yourself, outlining how this programme will benefit your practice.
• a short biog (200 words max)
• a short, written submission (300 words max) based on one of the following provocations:

1. Write about the thing your mother was always scared of.
2. Write about height, and the things it isn’t.
3. Write about last words at first light, or first words at last light.
4. Write of the devils and write of the ghosts. Write of the ones who have loved you the most.

The application is open to ambitious writers and theatre makers based in Ireland who are not in full time study.  We will not be in a position to provide in-depth feedback on individual applications.

Application and selection dates:

Closing date for applications: Monday 8 February at 12pm

Selected candidates will be notified by: Tuesday 23 February