At Irish Theatre Institute our objective is to nurture, promote and drive the ambition of Irish theatre makers and Irish theatre. In 2018 we have worked towards delivering a complementary suite of artform development and artist supports schemes as well as developed new initiatives and resources for the sector.
This year we’ve continued to facilitate bespoke Information Clinics, seeing an even greater demand around funding award deadlines. In May we welcomed a new family of 8 writers and theatre makers into Six in the Attic (SITA) and were delighted to develop a new programme for our prime actors who in November pitched their new and ready-to-tour shows to a room of programmers and producers at prime Platform. ITI’s partnership with the Town Hall Theatre grew as we invited 4 Galway-based emerging producers to participate in the ELEVATOR Producer Supports & Mentoring scheme and confirmed ELEVATOR hot desk space within Druid Theatre.
In March ITI hosted ‘Speak Up & Call it Out: Establishing a Code of Behaviour for Irish Theatre‘, a theatre sector initiative led by Irish Theatre Institute and supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The event, accessed by 2,684 people (in person and online) called for collective responsibility and action and introduced a draft Code of Behaviour for the Irish theatre sector.
Our commitment to identifying and brokering opportunities at home and abroad has not waned this year and we delivered the 13th Information Toolbox and the 25th International Theatre eXchange (ITX) national and international networking events. All in all, 216 delegates attended both events, including 44 international delegates from Australia, Canada, China, England, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Scotland, USA and Wales,all with a keen interest in programming Irish work and building relationship with the Irish theatre sector. Through our attendance at the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) and Edinburgh Festivals we’ve continued to support the development and promotion of Irish theatre and aim to generate opportunities for Irish theatre to be seen by audiences on both Irish and world stages.
While ITI is based in Dublin we have always focussed on providing services, training and information on a countrywide level through workshops and Mobile Information Clinics. Our online databases continue to support Irish theatre practice throughout Ireland and are accessed by academics, theatre professionals and amateur drama groups at home and abroad who have an interest in the Irish playwriting repertoire. We’ve continuing to update and develop our suite of four complementary websites: www.irishtheatreinstitute.ie, www.irishtheatre.ie, www.irishplayography.com and www.stageandscreendesignireland.com.
ITI is core funded by the Arts Council and this year has received support from Culture Ireland, Dublin City Arts Office, Foras na Gaeilge, Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, the Douglas Elliott Family Fund and Age & Opportunity.
This year we’ve been delighted to work with independent colleagues and friends in the sector as well as: Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, Bewley’s Café Theatre, CoisCéim Dance Theatre, Druid Galway, Dublin Fringe Festival, Dublin Theatre Festival, Fishamble: The New Play Company, Galway County and City Arts Offices, Science Gallery Dublin, Town Hall Theatre, Galway and Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig.
