A resource sharing initiative by Irish Theatre Institute in association with Town Hall Theatre, Galway

Across 10 months 4 emerging producers took part in ELEVATOR, a programme of professional development sessions, mentoring, peer learning and attended festivals and performances all around Ireland.

The four participants were:

Féilim O’hAoláin

Jill Murray

Kate Murphy

Síomha Nee

Each participant:

Received a €1000 bursary, a stipend for travel and daily remuneration for participation in ELEVATOR sessions.

Particpated in 9 professional development sessions. Topics covered included financial management & budgeting, media law & copyright, contract law, production management, Excel training, social media & brand promotion and funding applications. These sessions were held monthly in Dublin or Galway and were faciliated by industry experts and members of the ITI executive team.

Engaged in faciliated discussions with 10 independent producers and artistic directors who generously shared their experience and offered advice.

Attended shows and In Developments in venues and festivals in Belfast, Dublin and Galway.

Observed Irish Theatre Institute’s 2 networking events; Information Toolbox (during Dublin Fringe Festival) and International Theatre eXchange (during Dublin Theatre Festival) with opportunities to meet national and international presenters representing venues and festivals from Australia, Canada, China, Europe, Ireland, UK and USA.

During these networking events they had the opportunity to watch 3 pitching sessions; Show in a Bag Showcase (an artist development initiative of Dublin Fringe Festival, Fishamble: The New Play Company and Irish Theatre Institute), Things We Haven’t Made Yet (An Initiative of Culture Ireland, Dublin Fringe Festival and Irish Theatre Institute) and The Pitching Initiative at the Dublin Theatre Festival (An Initiative of Culture Ireland, Dublin Theatre Festival and Irish Theatre Institute).

Access to a hot desk in Druid offices (Galway) and Irish Theatre Institute (ITI) as well as meeting rooms and rehearsal space in ITI.

Feedback from participants:

Getting the opportunity to meet and listen to so many successful producers at different scales, budgets and stages of career was informative, invaluable and ultimately motivating. [Síomha Nee]

…having perhaps the outlet to discuss issues pertaining to this work with fellow peers has been very helpful and also to take council from those much longer in the sector than me. [Féilim O’hAoláin]

The bursary was an opportunity for me to upskill practically, by working towards an accredited course in business management, which helped me learn a lot of really transferrable skills. It was also an opportunity for me to see high quality international work, by visiting London. [Kate Murphy]

I feel that it has changed and influenced almost every area of how I work, in one way or another. The practical elements of the programme were wonderful-as in budgeting, excel and social media, even on a practical level, as they saved me money and gave me access to the best training. [Jill Murray]