On 18th 05, Irish Theatre Institute, in association with Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival, launched our pilot PRIME programme, designed to provide career supports and training opportunities for the older theatre practitioner. The scheme began with three intensive days in 05 (18th – 20th) with three further dates scheduled for the coming months (10th June, 15th July and 2nd September). The focus of the programme is on the following strands: Physical & Mental Well-being; Arts Entrepreneurship and Your Career; Networking.
Highlights from the 05 dates are detailed below.
Day 1 | Monday 18th 05
Warm up Exercise: Voice
Andrea Ainsworth, Voice Director, Abbey Theatre
Techniques to assist in warming the voice and sustaining your instrument.
Managing your Money
Gaby Smyth, Gaby Smyth & Company, Chartered Accountants
Financial management for working actors who continue to work well beyond the retirement age.
Making your Work: Origination & Development
Gavin Kostick, Literary Manager, Fishamble: The New Play Company
A session on making your own work from idea/origination through to development using Gavin’s insights into and reflections on the Show in a Bag initiative in particular.
Dublin City Arts Office: Supports and Opportunities
Ray Yeates, Dublin City Arts Officer
A discussion on supports, services and opportunities available to older actors through Dublin City Arts Office and Dublin City Council.
Day 2 | Tuesday 19th 05
Alexander Technique Workshop
Sara Shepherd, Irish Society of Alexander Technique Teachers (ISATT)
A practical introduction to the Alexander Technique
Making Your Own Work & Funding
Facilitated by Irish Theatre Institute Co-Directors and General Manager
Group discussion of making your own work and potential funding opportunities currently available.
Lunchtime performance
Being Norwegian at Bewley’s Café Theatre @ Powerscourt
Theatre Upstairs, The Cup Theatre Company and Bewley’s Café Theatre @ Powerscourt
Social Media: Getting Connected/Being Connected and Top Tips
Facilitated by Irish Theatre Institute’s General Manager and Admin and Events Assistant
Getting connected through social media.
Day 3 | Wednesday 20th 05
Ensemble – Wake Up the Body and Sharpen the Mind
Annie Ryan, Artistic Director, The Corn Exchange
A practical workshop in yoga/meditation to wake up the body and sharpen the mind
Case Studies: Show in a Bag/Touring
Invited artists involved previously in Show in a Bag shared their experiences of creating their own work. Show in a Bag is an initiative of Tiger Dublin Fringe, Fishamble: The New Play Company and Irish Theatre Institute to resource theatre makers and actors.
Participating artists:
Marion O’Dwyer and Maria McDermottroe, Payback! Absolut Fringe 2012
Pat McGrath, Small Plastic Wars, Dublin Fringe 2013
Producing & Touring
Pat Moylan, Theatre Producer, Former Chair of The Arts Council
A discussion with theatre producer Pat Moylan on her work to date including recent projects.
Financial Planning into Older Age: Challenges & Opportunities
Aidan Kelly, Independent Financial Advisor.
A session on financial planning into older age, saving and pension options
Guest Director Session # 1
Lynne Parker, Artistic Director, Rough Magic
A discussion with Lynne Parker about her approach to her practice, her experience of working with older actors and the challenges and opportunities that this presents.
Casting | Bow Street
Maureen Hughes, Casting Director at Maureen Hughes Casting
Participants travelled to Bow Street with ITI Co-Directors for a site visit and discussion facilitated by Maureen Hughes.
