March 2011

latest news

The Young Critics has proved one of NAYD's most popular programmes over the past number of years. We are now seeking participants for this year's programme. The young critics will meet twice this year with the first event taking place from 25-27 March.

Participants will workshop with Karen Fricker, international theatre critic, and NAYD's Youth Theatre Officer Alan King. They will also attend a number of professional theatre productions. Nomination forms have been sent to youth theatres. Closing date for return of forms is Friday 11 March. More about Young Critics Programme

Other News

Child Protection Awareness Training

NAYD has organised a one-day training event on 2 April. Aimed at youth theatre leaders, it will examine the key issues in relation to Child Protection.The training will take place in Dublin and will also include a session on NAYD's recently developed Welfare and Child Protection Guidelines for Youth Theatres. Closing date for return of booking forms is 28 March.

National Youth Theatre

The good news is there will be a National Youth Theatre production this year! Details are currently being finalised and we will be in contact with youth theatres very soon with more information. We do know that rehearsals will begin on 25 July and performances will take place the week of 22nd August.

NAYD AGM

NAYD's Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday 3rd April, in NAYD's offices, 7 North Great George's Street, Dublin 1. There are two Board places for election at the meeting, one from each of the following categories: Professional Arts Organisations and Education/Broader Youth Sector. Contact Orlaith for more details.

YT Support Scheme

Friday 4 March is the closing date for the next round of the Youth Theatre Partnership and Theatre Skills Training strands of the YTSS. Application forms are downloadable from our website.

Applications under the other two elements of the Scheme (GO SEE YT and Drama Facilitation Support) are accepted on an ongoing basis.

State of Play

NAYD has recently been contracted by Wexford County Council to undertake a research project exploring drama opportunities for young people in the South East (Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow). It is part of an Interreg funding partnership project called Coracle.
An online-survey has been developed and a meeting organised for 12 March.

What's on

Kildare Youth Theatre– Basset 4-5 March New play written by James Graham for the New Connections programme. To be performed in the Liffey Studio, Newbridge.
Clare Youth Theatre - Ex Libris 4 March Devised performance. Part of Ennis Book Club Festival.
Griese Youth Theatre - Too Fast/Those Legs 5 - 6 March Two new plays commissioned under New Connections. Venue is Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Kildare.
Limerick Youth Theatre– A Midsummer Night's Dream 15-16 March LYT's transition year project present Shakespeare's classic tale of love. Venue is Belltable Arts Centre.
Bui Bolg Youth Group– Sky Fest 19 March Bui Bolg are participating in Skyfest, the largest fireworks display in the country.
Co. Sligo Youth Theatre- Six Actors In Search of an Author 23-26 March Pirandello's tragicomedy. On stage at the Factory Performance Space, Lower Quay Street, Sligo
Activate Youth Theatre- DNA 24-26 March Denis Kelly's controversial play. The venue is Graffiti Theatre, Blackpool, Cork.
Boolabus Youth Theatre- Trapped by Fear 19-21 April One of NAYD's current New Stage plays, written by Aisling O'Leary. The venue is the Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin
Droichead Youth Theatre - Mix Tape 30 Apr - 2 May New devised piece. Presented as part of the Drogheda Arts Festival. Venue is the Little Duke Theatre.

Latest from the Blog

Feedback from Audition Clinic

Orla Hughes from County Wexford Youth Theatre was one of the youth theatre members who participated in NAYD's recent Audition Clinic. She found the experience both constructive and challenging More

Home Page - Office of the Minister for Children - Department of Health and Children - Ireland

Funding

www.artscouncil.ie

The closing date for the next round of the Arts Council's Young Ensembles Scheme will be 29 April. Guidelines and information on making an application will be available on the Arts Council's website very soon.

Also with an upcoming deadline is the Arts Participation Project Award that aims to support artists or arts organisations working with groups or communities. The Arts Council are holding Project Award information clinics aound the country in March. See the Arts Council's website for more info.

Youth In Action

www.leargas.ie
Leargas have organised an event in Athlone on 30 March focusing on Youth Participation. It will examine the strategies and approaches that can be used. There will also be information on funding and practical activities to encourage participation.

Training

www.youtharts.ie

NAYD is working in partnership with the National Youth Council of Ireland's Youth Arts Programme to organise a two-day drama training event for youth workers. The dates are 9-10 March. Contact Fiona Smith in NYCI for more information.