Six in the Attic is Irish Theatre Institute (ITI)’s key artist development programme providing artists with the space and resources to create and develop work.
Six in the Attic was established in 2011, focusing on supporting a community of playwrights and theatre makers to engage, explore, develop, debate, and collaborate on their projects. Since the foundation of the programme, Six in the Attic alumni have gone on to great individual successes – creating new work, winning awards, founding theatre companies, amongst many more accolades.
Six in the Attic & Virtual Attic artists engage in a thoughtfully created programme of:
- Artist gatherings online and in person meet ups arranged for the group building a community of peers.
- Professional development workshops focused on areas that upskill freelance artists.
- Introductions and networking with other independent artists and arts organisations nationally and internationally.
- One-to-one mentoring from Director Niamh O’Donnell.
- Access to a shared workspace, rehearsal/meeting room spaces for development and collaboration sessions in ITI’s offices located on 17 Eustace Street, Temple Bar Dublin 2.
- Access to short term dedicated desk in selected national venues or cultural spaces for non-Dublin based artists.
- An artist practice bursary of €1,300
Through Six in the Attic, ITI aims to support and resource a community of professional theatre makers and artists to engage, explore, develop, debate and collaborate on their projects. Six in the Attic encourages participants to realise their artistic ambition, enhance their professional skills and facilitates them in fulfilling their artistic goals.
2023/24 Six in the Attic artists
Eoghan Carrick
Eoghan is an artist working primarily in theatre and opera. He works in Ireland on new and established texts, with a focus on innovative interpretations and interdisciplinary collaboration. He is an associate artist with Once Off Productions. For information on current and past projects go to www.eoghancarrick.com
Iseult Deane
Iseult is a playwright and works in costume. Her writing credits include ‘Women’s Christmas’ (Rehearsed Reading as part of Lyric Theatre’s New Playwrights Program 2022/23) and ’24/7 Bliss’ (Dublin Fringe Festival 2022). She was a Resident Artist with Dublin Fringe Festival in 2022. She is a member of bluehouse theatre.
Pea Dinneen
Pea Dinneen is a theatre maker and cabaret artist from Dublin. In 2023 she was awarded the Next Generation Award from the Arts Council of Ireland. Pea’s work discusses transness in contemporary Irish society. Currently, she is under commission from Kabosh Theatre and developing a new play with Rough Magic.
Gemma Kane
Gemma is an Actor/Writer from Dublin. She has received supports and scholarships from Screen Ireland, Axis Ballymun, Escape pod media and The Tara buildings. ’48’, her debut play is currently in development to go from stage to screen. No Desserts is Gemma’s theatre company formed in 2017.
David McGovern
David is a multidisciplinary artist, writer and educator. He works with video, poetry and theatre to create space for self-enquiry, reflection and speculation. Themes include care, queer identity, masculinities and feeling stuck. In 2022 David was awarded Arts Council’s Next Generation Artist Award.
Dafe Pessu Orugbo
Dafe Orugbo is a multidisciplinary artist and theatre maker with a dynamic artistic practice coupled with years of industry experience. He is particularly interested in art that centres the audience experience, as seen in his work with the Dublin Fringe, Word Up Collective or his musical catalogue.
2023/24 Virtual Attic artists
Eibhleann Caffrey
Eibhleann is a writer, performer and director based in Galway City. Eibhleann’s work examines effect of Catholic Ireland on contemporary life, generational conflict and female rage through a comedic lens. Eibhleann has previously been an artist on the Druid Fuel Programme and the Brú Theatre Remote Control Programme.
Sinéad Cormack
Sinéad Cormack is a theatre maker, performer, designer and stage manager from Carlow. She collaborates with other artists to make theatre that explores how we perceive ourselves and our relationship to the outside world. Her work includes The Shed, One and In/side the Box
Anthony Keigher
Xnthony is an award-winning performer, writer and producer making musical theatre, cabaret and club experiences. He explores pop culture, social phenomena and community life to create multi-platform performances revisit historical moments and reimagine long-held cultural traditions.
Hannah McNiven
In 2019 Hannah’s short film, “The Lady on the Hill,” won the inaugural Wexford Film Fund. Since 2020, she has published three novels with Poolbeg Publishing. Her play, “Lights Out” – written with Wexford Playwrights’ Workshop – premiered as part of the Wexford Opera Festival Fringe in 2022.
Treasa Nealon
Treasa Nealon is a playwright, writer and theatre creator based in Leitrim. She co-founded The Rabbit’s Riot Theatre Company in 2016 and created and produced over 40 different projects with them. She has had plays performed in Ireland and the UK.
Áine Ryan
Áine Ryan is a writer and performer from Co. Tipperary. She recently won the ‘New Writing’ Award at London Pub Theatre Awards 2023 for her multiple five star reviewed play, Paddy goes to Petra. Other plays include critically acclaimed Kitty in the Lane and co-writer of ‘From Out the Land’.
Róisín Stack
Róisín is a writer & theatre maker based in Co. Clare. Recent theatre: No Woman is an Island, DTF 2023 (writer/performer); Also for Roaring, Black Box Theatre, Galway, and Belltable, Limerick, 2022 (writer/director). Her writing has been published by RTÉ, New Hibernia Review, the Irish Times and various journals.
