Past Events/Productions
Over our 35 years in business Waterford Youth Arts has put on many exciting, engaging and extraordinary Festivals, Theatre Productions, Showcases, Themed Events and Street Performances in and around Waterford City and Counties in a wide variety of incredible venues.
All the events below are listed in chronological order, for a full list of most of our major events over the years click the link below.
NT Connections 2022 - Remote
Waterford Youth Arts was delighted to announce its involvement in NT Connections 2022, run by National Theatre in London.
We were selected to stage a play by the exciting Scottish playwright Stef Smith called REMOTE, which Deirdre Dwyer directed. It was performed in April at Garter Lane, the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, with the potential to head to London later in 2022.
This is not the first time WYA has been involved in NT Connections over the years; in 1999, WYA was selected to put on a production of The Pilgrimage by Paul Goetzee directed by Deirdre Molloy, to the Olivier Stage at the National.
20 & 21 April | Garter Lane
23 April | Lyric Theatre Belfast
Lean More: National Theatre Connections
The Lit Young Writers Festival - 2021
The fifth Lit Young Writers Festival come and went running from the 17th to the 20th of November with a fantastic range of talks, interviews, workshops, and live music and some midday performance poetry for 15 – 19-year-olds and some all-ages events which went down very well.
Like previous years the team had an exciting range of writers, authors, poets, and creatives involved in this year’s festival - Caroline Busher, Stephen James Smith, Sasha Terofus, John Cummins, aliensincaves and The Black Roses appearing and hosting in-person events in Waterford City and online interviews with Bill Konigsberg (US), Raven aka The Acid Bath Princess (US), Hip-Hop Singer - Uppbeat (IE) and Australian novelist Sophie Gonzales (AUS).
The main event of the festival was an incredible spoken word event in St Patrick's Gateway Centre on Friday the 19th of November - A live reading of stories, essays and poetry highlighting a new book called 'Voices from Direct Provision' containing new works written by people currently living in or have lived in Direct Provision in Ireland.
Drawing from their own experiences of the system, the contributors write to create awareness of a campaign, providing voices to the experiences of those oppressed by the system.
Overall, this festival ran well in a safe and secure way and it was a success. To lean more about the festival click on the link below.
Dates: 17th - 20th of November
Location: St Patrick's Gateway Centre
Romeo and Juliet | Summer Theatre Project - 2021
Waterford Youth Arts 27th Annual Summer Theatre – Williams Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet was a great success it was only performed four (Mon the 16th – Thurs the 19th of August) of the six nights planned due to bad weather but the director Jim Nolan, the cast and the crew organized and put on four fantastic performances of Romeo and Juliet in Wyse Park in front of a live audience.
This year twenty-four young people took part in the play and spent six full weeks learning the ins and outs of acting, performing and stage work while having fun and making memories. The cast performed very well and captured the feud between the Montagues and Capulets perfectly the love story between Romeo and Juliet was sold well and the tragic ending was as heart-breaking as you expect.
Artists Involved – Jim Nolan (Director), Dermot Quinn (Set Deign), Richard Collins (Lighting), Martina Collender (Stage Manager), Sinead Hourigan (Asst. Director), Heather Troy Whelan (Tech Manager), Shane O’Sullivan (Costume Design), Paul McDonald (Sound Design) and Éadaoin Breathnach (Music Design)
Dates: 16th - 21 of August
Location: Wyse Park
View Brochure: https://bit.ly/3jbqNJw
The Young Playwrights Programme - 2020
After everything that was cancelled in 2020, we were delighted that the finale of the ‘Young Playwrights Programme’ could go ahead on Saturday the 30th of January in an online format which was originally planned as an in-person for last years Lit Young Writers Festival in November.
The ‘YYP’ was streamed over on our Facebook Channel at 7.30pm, on the night the four great young playwrights (Clare Mee, Alex Hennessy, Saorla Roger and Emily O’Niell) plays ‘If They Would Listen’, ‘Isolation’, Scavengers’ and an Untitled Play received official readthroughs, voiced by several professional local actors and former WYA Youth Drama members.
During the night there were also two Livestreamed Zoom Chats one with the aforementioned playwrights where they talked about the process and the second discussion was with their mentors (Jim Nolan, Nicola Spendlove and Martina Collender) who talked about the project as well as the experience of working alongside the young playwrights.
Alongside the aforementioned playwrights there was plenty of talent in the acting department with Nicola Spendlove, Megan Kelly, Kieran Walsh, Killian Jacob, Hugo O’Donovan, Gerry Kane, Cian Meaney, Derek Flynn, Brian Cahill, Mary O’Donoghue, Tara Kennedy, Alan O’Toole, Gráinne Kavanagh and Ciara O’Connor.
This was a great evening of theatre and its all up on our Facebook page for your viewing pleasure.
Date: 30th of January 2021
Location: Online - On our Facebook Page
Emerge | An Imaginative Short Film with themes of disillusionment, identity and empowerment - 2020
Our last event of 2020 was the screening of our beautiful new short film Emerge on the 6th of December, when it received its official premier over on our YouTube channel.
This short was a collaboration between seven senior members and Rachel Ní Bhronáin that was devised and filmed between August and November 2020 overcoming the obstacles presented by the pandemic in the process.
This short film explored themes of disillusionment, identity and empowerment with its own original soundtrack, writing and movement was done by the cast.
If you want to experience this beautiful film, you can view it over on our YouTube Channel by clicking on the link - https://bit.ly/3CSMl4J its less than five minutes long and well worth it.
Date: 6th of December 2020
Location: Online - On our YouTube Channel
The Lit Young Writers Festival - 2020
Running a festival is challenging and putting on a online festival is even more difficult for different reasons, but this year the Lit Team not only put on their first digital ‘Lit Young Writers Festival’ (which ran from the 17th to the 21st of November) and they did a tremendous job of it as all the events and workshops ran smoothly, the guests were fascinating and the transition from in-person events to digital events went really well.
This year the team had an incredible line-up of authors, journalists, poets, and musicians including the current Laureate na nÓg - Áine NÍ Ghlinn, E.R. Murray, Amy Beashel, Dave Rudden, Megan Nolan, Colm Keegan, Ciara Ní É, Justin Cullen, Beau Williams.
But that’s not all, as The Lit Team organized a livestream music performance by the local Hard Rock duo Bankrupt and a performance by local artist Aliens in Caves as well as a beautiful photography exhibition with up and coming photographer and graphic designer Kieran Power.
The sponsors and collaborators for 2020’s festival was RTE Supporting The Arts, The Arts Council, Waterford Youth Arts, Poetry Ireland, Waterford City and County Council, Children’s Books Ireland, Library Services and Feile Péacóg.
Date: 17 - 21st of November 2020
Location: Online - Zoom, Social Media, Youtube
The Machine | Livestream - 2020
Waterford Youth Arts and The Brothers Of Charity Waterford’s charming super heroic short film – ‘The Machine’, was officially debuted on the 30th of October at 7pm over on our YouTube channel, feedback was positive with people loving the comic book style, the beautiful message behind the film and the light-hearted humour.
“WHAT A CALAMITY!!! The most extraordinary invention in the history of the world has fallen into the wrong hands!!! Who can stop Dr. Evil Knieval and his many minions??? Did somebody say SUPERHEROS???”
The Machine was directed by Liam Meagher and devised by the cast; it tells a unique story of heroes trying to defeat a super villain. Interestingly, the film was made using green screen technology, fabulous illustrations, and an original soundtrack throughout. The production was shot by Keith Currams, Artwork is by Declan Pierce and edited by John Loftus with music composed by Éadaoin Breathnach.
Date: 30th of October
Location: Online - Youtube
Stolen Time Livestream | Waterford Youth Arts 26th Summer Theatre Project - 2020
Due to everything that went on during the Summer of 2020, we had to cancel our plans on putting on ‘Stolen Time’ (An incredible new production written by Martina Collender and directed by Liam Meagher. The powerful pair who brought you ‘One Hundred Thousand Breaths’ (2016) and ‘If The Lights Change’ (2017) on outdoors in Wyse Park.
So instead we organized a livestream of the show to take place in Garter Lane Arts Centre on Thursday the 27th of August at 8pm. The stream ran without a hitch and the 15 – 19-year-old cast performed spectacularly on the beautiful set designed by Deirdre Dwyer.
Unlike any of our other past productions its still available to watch on our YouTube Channel - https://bit.ly/2R4KKD6. WARNING - Audience advisory is 14 +, NOT suitable for younger audiences, as it contains mature themes.
Date: 27/09/2020
Location: Online - Youtube
Online Creative Workshops - 2020
Since the pandemic struck during Spring / Summer of 2020 and everyone had to socially distance, we adapted our workshops - Creative Writing, Drama, Film and Visual Arts to work digitally through Zoom. Overall the workshops ran as well as expected and feedback was positive.
Date Started: 27/04/2020
Location: Online - Zoom
Resolutions - 2020
Great turn out for the first WYA production of the decade – Resolutions ‘A one-act play about homelessness from a young person's perspective, which tells the story of three young people who experience homelessness.‘ which ran for three performances on Friday the 24th at 8pm and Saturday the 25th of January at 2pm (matinee) and 8pm in St Patricks Gateway Centre.
All the money raised from ticket sales went to support the work of ‘Helping Hands’ a local voluntary group that feeds homeless people in St. Patrick’s Gateway Centre all year round.
Resolutions was written and directed by Martina Collender with the senior drama members (who were also the stars of the production), Lauren Carbery (Stage Manager), Heather Troy-Whelan (Lighting and Sound), Abi McCormick (Sound Effects) and last but not least Bell the Dog in her first ever role.
Date: 24/01/2020 & 25/01/2020
Location: St Patrick's Gateway Centre
The Harry Potter Experience - 2019
The Harry Potter Experience was one enchanting event for young people aged 7 plus and for the young at heart, when it ran in the Central Library Waterford on the 12th of December. Running for around an hour this magical event was filled with spell casting, lessons games, and sweets. The young witches and wizards also got to interact with some brilliant original characters (played by the senior drama members) with Martina Collender overseeing it all.
The Harry Potter Experience was a collaborative event between Waterford City and Council Libraries and Waterford Youth Arts.
Date: 12/12/2019
Location: Central Library
The Lit Young Writers Festival - 2019
The third annual ‘The Lit Young Writers Festival’ ran on Friday the 15th and Saturday the 16th of November, over these incredible two days some of the best local and national authors, journalists and spoken word stars – ‘Sarah Crossan, Dave Rudden, Natalya O’Flaherty, Colm Keegan, Sarah Marie Griffin, Elaine Feeney, Rose Keating, Megan Nolan, Erin Fornoff and Beau Williams’ hosted a range of incredible events, workshops, discussions, spoken word sessions and poetry jams.
To learn more about the festival visit 'The Lit Young Writers Festival's’ website - https://www.thelit.eu/ or follow their Facebook and Instagram pages for all the latest news and information.
Date: 15/11/2019 & 16/11/2019
Location: Various locations in Waterford City
Horrible Historical Trails - 2019
‘It was truly horrible and they walked the legs off us’ said nobody after the 3rd annual Horrible Historical Trails that ran on Thursday the 24th and Saturday the 26th of October. ‘Spirits’ were high and the crowd was delighted with this spooktacular piece of theatre.
Horrible Historical Trails was director and managed by Martina Collender and Lauren Carberry, Sound by Josh with Heather Troy-Whelan assisting and written by the Senior Drama Members who also starred in the production.
Date: 24/10/2019 - 26/11/2019
Location: Viking Triangle
We have 11 years to save the planet but, we only have today to save ourselves | Summer Theatre Project - 2019
Waterford Youth Arts - 25th Summer Theatre Project “We have 11 years to save the planet but, we only have today to save ourselves” was not only our longest title we ever had, was one eye opening play on Climate Change and Mental Health.
Co-produced in association with Garter Lane Arts Centre “Waterford Youth Arts - 25th Summer Theatre Project “We have 11 years to save the planet but, we only have today to save ourselves” this devised production ran on the 21st, 22nd, 23th and 24th of August. Play was composed by Grace Dyas and the Senior Drama Members.
Artists Involved: Grace Dyas, Deirdre Dwyer, Lauren Carbery, James Rockett Neil Keary and Éadaoin Breathnach
Date: 17 - 21st of November 2020
Location: Garter Lane Arts Centre
Summer School 2019
Summer School 2019 has come to a close and over the course of the five days the 4 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 13 year explored a wide array of art forms - Film, Drumming, Drama, Dancing and Puppetry - taking place up in the Arch and Mount Sion Community College.
It was a very fruitful week, as the young people made two short films, created and performed two impromptu plays, learned a couple of dance numbers and some drum patterns which they showcased to their families on Friday evening.
Date: 08/07/2019 - 12/07/2019
Location: Mount Sion Community College
Works In Progress | A Night Of Sorcery and Magic - 2019
The Junior ‘Works in Progress’ was a magical evening indeed, for young and old alike when the 5 to 15 year old members of Waterford Youth Arts performed in Garter Lane Arts Centre in front of a full house. On the night the audience got to see a circus performance, a “Murder Mystery” play, several dance pieces, three young creative writers, five great films and much more, put on by these great young people. This event was sponsored by Cruinniú na nÓg.
Date: 15-06-2019
Location: Garter Lane Arts Centre
Works In Progress | A Night Filled with Theatre, Dance, Singing and Passion - 2019
With 21 fantastic acts - including a hilarious musical, a colourful Poi routine, a great couples counselling sketch and a spoken word tribute to Micheal Collins. 2019's Works In Progress was a huge success, as well as being a entertaining evening for the audience the senior drama members also learned a lot from creating, curating, producing and directing there own acts. Going above and beyond there own creative expectations, this was one fantastic night in the majestic Garter Lane Art Centre.
Date: 16-04-2019
Location: Garter Lane Arts Centre
Erasmus+ Exchange of Practice Project - White Paper (2018)
In 2018 Waterford Youth Arts was involved in a three way Erasmus+ Project with the theatre companies Stella Polaris from Norway and National Theatre Târgu-Mureş from Transylvania, Romania. With the purpose of documenting the learning of young people. Below is the White Paper for the project in English, Romanian and Norwegian.
English - Youth Arts Projects Learning Leadership Skills (YAPLLS)
Romanian - Tineri Care Învată Abilitățile De Lider
Norwegian - Youth Arts Projects Learning Leadership Skills (YAPLLS)
Date: 13-02-2019
Location: N/A
The Lost Elf | Christmas Play - 2018
The Lost Elf, written and directed by Martina Collender ran from the 20th to the 22nd of December, up in the Arch on Barracks Street. This play was put on by the senior members of the WYA Drama Group, who also helped with the writing, lighting and sound for the production.
"Christmas in Waterford City is on the verge of being cancelled....an elf has gotten lost from Santa and finds himself at the mercy of humans. Will their humanity and their Christmas Magic save him and bring him back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve? The pressure is on and theclock is ticking to get the Elf home, however the Elf's heart begins to Break and his Christmas Magic slips away when he discovers that no one spends time with each other anymore and that there isn't much love and humanity to be found around the city. Evil & Eviller and the Evilness Corporation are insisting that the only way to have a good Christmas is to spend loads and loads and loads of money. A group of humans are our only hope - they may change their mind and realise wherever you find love it feels like Christmas, hopefully? or else.... Christmas will be cancelled. "
Date: 20-12-2018 - 22-12-2018
Location: Waterford Youth Arts
The Lit Young Writers Festival - 2018
The second annual LIT Festival (A Reading and Writing Festival run by Young People for Young People) has come and gone, but the memories will stay with us forever.
Over the course of Friday the 9th and Saturday the 10th of November, many great local and national authors came down to Waterford City and ran workshops and talks for young people aged 14 to 19 years.
This year we had many great guests such as Emmet Kirwan, Abby Oliveira, Karl Parkinson, Darren Donohue, Eimear Cheasty, Stephen Murray, Anna Jordan, Dave Lordan, Colm Keegan, Stephen Murray and Alana Daly Mulligan, who all ran workshops on Saturday.
The LIT festival will be back in 2019, with more exciting events for aspiring authors and enthusiasts. So if you’re an upcoming blogger who’s looking to be more expressive, a creative writer who wants a better understanding of world building or if you’re a avid book reader; there will be something here for you
Organised by: Eimear Cheasty (Project Coordinator) and the WYA Creative Writing Team
Resourced by: Waterford Art's Council and Irish Rail
Date: 09-11-2018 - 10-11-2018
Location: Various locations around Waterford.
Horrible Historical Trails - 2018
Terrified... You should be, this four night theatrical run was horrifyingly good fun for all the family when it ran from the 23rd to the 27th of October.
Over the course of 2 hours, young people and the not so young alike got to experience, firsthand the spirits of Waterford walking through the Viking Triangle, where they retold tales from their past lives and how they died.
This event ran as part of the Imagine Festival which was run by Martina Collender and the senior drama group.
Animal Farm | Summer Theatre Project - 2018
Directed by Rhiann Jeffrey and Co-produced by Garter Lane Arts Centre for 15-19 year old drama group.
2018’s 'Summer Theatre Project' was George Orwell’s classic Animal Farm, The purpose of the Summer Theatre Project is to give young people the opportunity to work as close to a real professional theatre experience as is possible, alongside a professional director. In 2018, Rhiann Jeffrey, a Belfast based Theatre Director worked with the young people on one of George Orwell's best known works ANIMAL FARM adapted by Peter Hall.
Co-produced in association with Garter Lane Arts Centre, ANIMAL FARM previewed on Thurs Aug 23rd, and ran on Fri Aug 24th, Sat Aug 25th, Thurs Aug 30th, Fri 31st August as well as Sat 1st of Sept 2018.
Artists: Rhiann Jeffrey, Martina Collender, Dermot Quinn, Jess Rowell, Richard Collins and Eadaoin Walsh
Date: 23-08-2018 - 25-08-2018 and 30/08/2018 - 01/09/2018
Location: Garter Lane Arts Centre
Summer School 2018
Under the Ocean was 2018's Summer School theme and over the course of a week, fifty young campers between the ages of 5 - 13, got to explore this theme, exploring their imaginations through the medium of Art.
From Monday the 16th to Friday the 20th of July these happy campers, spent a fun filled week learning Drama, Dance, Storytelling, Story Making, Art, Film-making, Creative Writing, Drumming and Circus Skills from the highly skilled tutors who run our workshops and some local artists.
The event wrapped up on Friday where the young campers got to perform, there new talents in front of there parents.
The WYA Summer School will be returning in 2019, more news will be available next summer.
Date: 16-07-2018 - 20-07-2018
Location: Mount Sion Community College
Weird, Wacky and Wonderful | SPRAOI - 2018
Written by Ollie Breslin and Directed by Enda Moran
Expect Mayhem, Expect Madness when Enda Moran puts together Young Performers and Circus Professionals for a new show specially for SPRAOI 2018. 'Weird, Wacky and Wonderful' blends Circus, Dance and Theatre to create a fantastic performing arts piece, for three performances only.
Seamie saw a traveling circus show when he was a child and he now wants to go back there once again. People say he’s strange, but maybe he’s just a bit different?
This world premier 'Weird, Wacky and Wonderful' will be running on Gladstone Street on:
· Friday the 3rd of August at 4 P.M.
· Saturday the 5th of August at 3 P.M.
· Sunday the 5th of August at 3 P.M.
Artists: Enda Moran, Mégan Ní Mheachair, Niall Bergin, WYA Circus Team & WYA Youth Actors
Resourced by: Waterford City and County Council
Date: 03-08-2018 - 05-08-2018
Location: Gladstone Street
The Christmas Wish - 2017
Written and Directed by Martina Collender,
Performed by the 15 to 19 year old Youth Drama Members
The play follows the story of the O'Neill family, who as well as feeling the panic to get everything ready for Santa Clause are in the middle of moving house. In the mist of the chaos and panic is Lilly and Tommy there children. Tommy is counting down the minutes until Christmas days arrives with excitement, but there's a problem with Lilly...she's after turning into a teenager. Lilly has lost her Christmas Spirit, she doesn't care about her family or hates this stupid season. and stuck with the task of clearing out the attic, she finds her old toys.
With Christmas magic in the air, Lilly's toy's come to life for one night only. Lilly's toys have one night only to remind her of who she is, before she starting to pretend she was something she wasn't. Her toys take her on a magical trip of Christmas memories and hope against hope they can restore Lilly's believe in Christmas and herself before it's too late.
Date: 20-12-2017 - 21-12-2017
Location: The Arch
If The Lights Change | Summer Theatre Project - 2017
Written by Martina Collender, Directed by Liam Meagher. Co-produced by Garter Lane Arts Centre.
15-19 year old drama group.
This flagship production has been going 20 years now and gives young people the opportunity to work intensively on a play with a professional director. The six-week process culminates with a week of performances at Garter Lane Arts Centre (22nd to 26th August).
‘If The Lights Change’ looks at the story of a young girls life and her reflections as she reaches adulthood.
Artists: Liam Meagher, Martina Collender, Becky Phelan and Dermot Quinn
Resourced by: Waterford City & County Council
Date: 22-08-2017 - 26-08-2017
Location: Garter Lane Arts Centre
Mrs Montgomery’s Tale of the Travelling Circus - 2017
Mrs Montgomery’s Tale of the Travelling Circus’
Written by Martina Collender and Directed by Enda Moran
July 7th - 9th 2017
Mrs Montgomery, and her Travelling Circus of wonders, wow-ser’s, pow-ser’s, twirlers, tricksters, magic makers, clowning abouter’s, dancers, delighters, ponder-thoughter’s, flipper flappers, thinker-thanker’s, wandering wonder’s, magical humans, have seen every single land in the entire world for over two thousand, five hundred years, eleven months, twenty three days, and seven hours. They gathered the best of the best-est circusers to delight and smile create all over the world. Now they’ve landed in Waterford to shine and surprise all they meet. All couldn’t be happier in their circus world of travelling days…….but, because there’s always an “if” or a “but” and you can’t bet your bottom dollar it’s rarely anything good…some of the circus recruits are beginning to ponder…and wonder….and hope they're wrong, but can’t stop the seed of thought that’s growing bigger and bigger with every beat of their steps: Is there any place for the Circus in this modern world??? Is the circus too set in its ways of the same old tricks? Will their circus, their home, their livelihood survive?
With worry growing and Mrs Montgomery working double triple time to rally the troops and rise up spirits, all eyes are falling with heavy pressure on Mrs Montgomery, the young son of the two magic dreamers, hope believers, circus creators, to take over the circus. The Tick Tock of the clock is getting louder and the pressures on, for will he rise to the challenge of taking over his parents beloved circus, and with the rest of circus putting on pressure because the circus after all is their home….or will his lack of belief in the circus, see this as the last ever show?
Date: 07-07-2017 - 09-07-2017
Location: New Street Gardens, Peoples Park, Butler Community Centre St. Johns Park, Fenors Play Park
28 Hours Fundraiser - 2017
8 Hours for Waterford Youth Arts was a major fundraiser in Garter lane Theatre. Some of the best of Waterford's local adult theatre actors, directors, writers and crew alongside local musicians, filmmakers, poets and dancers got together to create a wonderful mix of short plays, performances, film, dance, songs and poetry.
The selling feature of this event was that, the artists involved only had 28 hours to create, write and rehearse for this unique show, most of the participants for this event were either ex-members of WYA or supporters of their work and because of the hard work and effort put in by these artists it turned out to be a fantastic night full of fun for all the family.
The fundraiser ran on Saturday the 20th of January 2017 in Garter lane.
Date: 20-01-2017
Location: Garter Lane Arts Centre
Horrible Historical Trails - 2016
Meet the Ghosts of Waterford’s Past
As part of Imagine Arts Festival local youth theatre group Waterford Youth Arts present ‘Horribly Historical Trails’ by Martina Collender.
This show was specially commissioned to coincide with the onset of Halloween.
Uncover the truly sinister past of Waterford City’s streets with Horribly Historical Trails a promenade play.
In this play we the audience where guided by the Night Watchman (local actor Jamie Power) on our supernatural adventures around the city. Discover the stories of the ghosts who roamed our paths, from the spirits of Strongbow and Aoife to Crotty the Highway Man be prepared to be scared as we cross into the underworld.
This play ran from Tuesday the 25th of October to Friday the 28th of October.
Date: 25/10/2016 - 28-10-2016
Location: Viking Triangle
Black Veil (2004) - Theatre in Education play
This short play, written by Jim Daly and directed by James Rockett, toured local schools for fourth year classes. It was an issue-based work commissioned by the Health Board. Keith Grogan was in charge of production, and video sequences were by Ken Coleman.
Mother Hicks - 2003
Director by Ollie Breslin
Stage Manager by Orla Power
Choreographer by Libby Seward
Lighting Designer by Jim Daly
Graphic Design & Costumes by Doireann Larkin
On Tuesday 9 September 2003 WYD presented the Irish premiere of this play by an award-winning American writer.
The play, set in Middle America during the Great Depression, tells the story of a small community that sought a scapegoat for its troubles, and shows that when its 'weaker brethern' unite and care for each other, they can survive and transcend the greatest of disasters.
Mother Hicks was the latest in a series of annual WYD summer projects, which give young people the opportunity to work intensively on a production in a professional environment. It was the product of eight weeks' work by more than 30 young people, cast and crew.
Instant Mash - 2003
Director Scott Johnston
Devised by the Cast
Script and lighting design Jim Daly
Assistant director James Rockett
Production manager Robert Browne
Stage manager Claire Colclough
This play was the result of an exchange programme between WYD and West Lothian Youth Theatre in Scotland. It was an opportunity for twenty young people aged 13-18 to devise a new work over a twenty-day period. The process involved exploring various aspects of teenagers' lives in both Scotland and Ireland - everything from love to despair and all in between.
The play was presented at Garter Lane on the 2nd and 3rd of August, 2003, as part of Spraoi weekend. Thanks to Garter Lane Arts Centre, Causeway (British-Irish Exchange) and léargas.
Fair Play, Foul Play | Theatre in Education play - 2002
The Exam - 2002
Directed by Mairead McGrath
Movement directed by Libby Seward
Set design & construction by Alan Clarke
Costumes by Jeanine Storan
Lighting design by Jim Daly
Produced in association with Scholars at The Book Centre, The Exam was a comic look at the pressures facing Andrew, Bea and Chas as they faced the inevitable state exams. This production was part of International Connections, an international project celebrating new writing for young actors. The Exam was one of a number of new plays commissioned by the Royal National Theatre, London.
The Exam played for five performances at Garter Lane Theatre in Waterford beginning 19 March 2001. On 26 March WYD brought the production to the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, where it was assessed by a representative of the RNT for an opportunity to be performed in London.
MAIRÉAD McGRATH has worked in Irish theatre, film and television for over a decade. Most of her work has been with the Abbey, Druid and Charabanc theatre companies, with whom she has toured London, Australia and the US. Highlights include The Leenane Trilogy by Martin McDonagh. This Druid/Royal Court production played in Galway, Dublin, London, Australia and New York. She recently worked as assistant director on Roddy Doyle's Guess Who's Coming for the Dinner for Calypso and is delighted to be making her debut as a director for WYD.
Mairéad and Andy Hamilton at an International Connections Seminar in London
2Heaven - 2002
Directors by Sile Penkert & Marcus Quinlan
Scenic Artist by Linda Kavanagh
Musical Director by Mark White
Costumes by Michelle Clancy
Lighting by Jim Daly
This was a devised play produced in association with Garter Lane Arts Centre. It was funded by the Young People Facilities and Services Fund and Bausch & Lomb Ireland Ltd.
Marcus Quinlan, Caroline Senior Of Garter Lane, Sile Penkert, Ann Quinlan of Mcinerney Construction (Sponsor) and Cast
Our Day Out - 2001
A play by Willy Russell
with songs by Bob Eaton, Chris Mellor and Willy Russell
Directed by Ollie Breslin
Musical Director by Katie MacCarthy
Orchestration by Brendan Doherty
Choreography by Libby Seward
Lighting Designer by Jim Daly
This was WYD's first musical theatre production in its 16-year history. The play follows Mrs Kay's Progress class, unleashed for the day on a school outing. Originally set in Liverpool and Wales, WYD changed it to Waterford and Cork.
However, Our Day Out is more than just a romp. It points to the depressing reality for some young people, for whom one day out is as much as they can expect.
Presented by 33 young actors from WYD's Outreach Drama Workshop Programme, this was WYD's first youth theatre production of 2001. It was the highlight production of the year for WYD's junior Members. Four older Members played the adult parts.
The Land Of Stuff - 2001
Directed by Scott Johnston
Devised by the company
Script by Jim Daly
Choreography by Libby Seward
Set and costume design by Deirdre Dwyer and Jeanine Storan
Lighting by Michael Oates
This play was a devised collaboration that brought together Scottish director Scott Johnston, Waterford writer Jim Daly and 43 senior Members of WYD.
In the programme, Jim wrote: 'Scott and I began to notice the ubiquity of the word stuff in the lexicon of the young. It seemed to have many meanings...
'Out of that, an idea grew which became The Land of Stuff. It became a mysterious head space where childhood is left behind. But this Land could be revisited when life problems became intense. Problems in relationships between boys and girls, between mothers and daughters, exam pressure, the journey from the end of schooldays into the world, etc.
'In the Land of Stuff, young adults could find all their half-forgotten special toys. Toys to which they had confided so much when they were young, toys that knew all their secret desires and wishes. There too they would find that special blanket which always gave comfort.'
Scott Johnston is the artistic director of the West Lothian Youth Theatre, the largest locally-based youth theatre in the UK. He has directed and devised shows in America, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, South Africa and the UK. His company scottworks runs workshop training programmes for organisations in the voluntary, statutory and business sectors.
He specialises in the work of Augusto Boal and the theatre of the oppressed. He also co-writes and directs for the popular Scottish stand-up comedian Bob Doolally.
This was WYD's sixth Summer Project. The Summer Project is produced in association with Waterford Corporation and Garter Lane Arts Centre and has the central aim of giving young people the opportunity of working with professional theatre directors.
Moremi - The Goddess 2000
Written and Directed by Bisi Adigun
Singing Coach - Katie Bradley MacCarthy
Set Designer - Adam Wallace
Lighting Designer - Jim Daly
Sound - Jamie Foley
Costume Designer - Michelle Clancy
This was a very exciting venture, with 55 younger performers aged nine to thirteen. 'Moremi - The Goddess' is based on a Nigerian folk story, written and directed by a Nigerian, Bisi Adigun. It was a fantastic opportunity for the young people to explore African culture and traditions. The show included African songs, drumming, costumes and dance. It was very spectacular and great fun.
We gave this show full production values, with set designers, costume designers, lighting people, full programme and poster. In recent years we'd tended to emphasise the older age group, but we're now trying to redress this imbalance.
Requiem - 2000
The Irish premiere of a play by Leonid Andreyev
Director - Horatiu Mihaiu
Choreographer - Libby Seward
Stage Manager - Sile Penkert
Set Designer - Adam Wallace
Lighting Designer - Jim Daly
Music Director - Laurienne Fiorentino
Costume Designer - Deirdre Dwyer
Production Manager - Marcus Quinlan
This was a new challenge for WYD. It brought together the symbolist theatre of Leonid Andreyev (1871-1919) with today's image theatre of central Europe. The original short play by Andreyev was written during the darkest days of the First World War, as Russia's Tsarist empire was about to crumble. It reflects the uncertainty and despair of those changing times. Romanian director Horatiu Mihaiu and his WYD team clothed the bare and gloomy bones of the written play with music, dance, humour and even sleight-of-hand magic tricks without destroying the seriousness of the theme.
Critic Declan Hassett of the Irish Examiner wrote: 'A play about the making of a play by a relatively obscure Russian writer with a Romanian director would not immediately suggest success, but I was simply blown away by the sheer intelligence, ingenuity, dynamism and level of collective performance demonstrated by WYD... The miracle worker is Horatiu Mihaiu, a proponent of imaginative and symbolist theatre in his native Romania, and he brought all his directorial skills to bear on this production... Unreserved praise then for all concerned...'
Horatiu Mihaiu had been an architect for more than ten years when he turned to stage design shortly before the Romanian revolution of December 1989. He rose quickly to the top of his field through his work in the new image theatre techniques in productions such as '17 Acts with Piet Mondrian' and 'Picasso: Outlandos d'Amour'. Recently he has worked as designer and director with the Underground Theatre of Targu Mures, Romania.
This was his first visit to Ireland.
The Pilgrimage - 1999
A play by Paul Goetzee
On Tuesday 30th March, 1999, WYD presented the Irish premiere of this exciting new play, directed by Dublin-based actress and director Deirdre Molloy.
The play is set in a fictional land where two groups (the goat herders and shepherds) hate each other. Things change when two young people from opposite groups meet up and realise that they aren't so different.
This production was part of the BT National Connections 99 project. After presenting the play at Garter Lane in Waterford, WYD took it to Belfast and performed it at the Lyric Theatre.
It then became the only production from the Republic of Ireland to be chosen to appear in London. The Royal National Theatre in association with British Telecom invited WYD to perform 'The Pilgrimage' at the Olivier Theatre on 13th July.
'PILGRIMAGE' GOES TO LONDON
On 13th July WYD performed its production of 'The Pilgrimage' at the prestigious Olivier Theatre in London.
The Royal National Theatre in association with British Telecom made the invitation after assessing the production, which was staged as part of BT's BT National Connections programme. WYD was the only company from the Republic of Ireland to be chosen to appear in London.
In March WYD's production at Garter Lane Arts Centre received a glowing report from UK-based assessor Sheila Mander: 'From the moment the chorus exploded onto the acting area until the final curtain, I was gripped by this lively production. I was completely bowled over by the optimistic and humorous style they used to communicate the script.'
Before the cast left for London, Ollie Breslin of WYD said 'This is a much-coveted opportunity. The Olivier Theatre is a very prestigious venue. It will be a great experience for the group of young actors, a big challenge for them. The Olivier seats in excess of 1100. Director and cast are already working to translate the production for a venue that size.'
Meanwhile, the British Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs offered additional financial help. Despite pre-curtain jitters, the big performance went off smoothly and received an enthusiastic response from the London audience.
We had been asked to be at the WYD offices by 8.30am and not one person was late. However, one of the cast forgot his shoes so we did not leave until 9.05am. Fortunately, when planning we accounted for something like that happening and we arrived at Dublin Airport as scheduled - 20mins late. Fortunately again, we were only 20mins late for checking in and we still made our flight. Once in London we went to our hostel to relieve ourselves of our luggage.
Later, when we had been well rested, fed and watered, we hiked 2km through the city center to the Royal National Theater. It was in the Royal National Theater, on the Olivier Stage, that we would be performing our play, The Pilgrimage, on the very next night. Why we were there on that night was to see two of the other plays that were taking part in the BT National Connections competition. The two shows impressed us but although we all agreed that the theater was huge and the shows were great we were not despondent or fearful of the next night. This was because we knew that our show kicked-ass and had more attitude than a constipated lion having a bad hair-day with a hot poker stuck in his side.
After the show we went downstairs to a party in the theater which ( due to all the free non-alcoholic drink and not the really crap DJ ) was very cool. After that we went back to our hostel for an early night in ( 2.30am ) , in preparation for our big day.
The next morning we were made get up terribly early because we had a lot to do. First thing ( even before breakfast ) we went to the theater. There we met the other group that would be performing after us on that night. They were nice and their play was good but they were not nearly as cool as us. We spent most of the day rehearsing for the night while our director almost had a nervous breakdown. In this way the time passed quickly and it wasn't long before the audience began to arrive and we were told to get off the stage. Then all we could do was wait. Backstage, five minutes before the show began, it was very quiet. Nobody was particularly nervous and everyone was confident there would be no mistakes because we had performed the show so many flawless times before. It was very warm backstage and when I look back at it, it seems like a dream - a very cool dream.
Anyhow, we soon got the cue to start the show and so we started the show. From there it just got better and better. It was truly an amazing experience and, thanks be to God, nothing went wrong. Besides nothing going wrong a lot went right - the audience seemed to enjoy it and they responded to the jokes better than any audience we had ever had.
After that there was not much else left to do other than party all night and then go home to the land we all love - Erin.
by Mark Costine
The Skin of our Teeth - 1999
A play by Thornton Wilder
Director - Caroline Mc Sweeney
Choreographer - Adrienne Browne
Stage Manager - Robert Browne
Set Designers - Adam Wallace & Pamela Stafford
Music - Jamie Beamish
Lighting Designer - Jim Daly
Costumes - Cormac Leane
Graphic Designer - Keith Walsh
Produced by , with special arrangement, Samual French, Inc.
This was WYD's Summer Project for 1999. It was a very ambitious production that followed the lives of the Antrobus family from the Ice Age to contemporary times. It was again a first for WYD, as we had the resources to have both a professional director and a professional choreographer.
WYD gratefully acknowledges the help of Garter Lane Arts Centre and Waterford Corporation with this project.
Tales from the Fountain | Theatre in Education play - 1998
Doghouse - 1998
A play by Gina Moxley
Director - Ollie Breslin
Producer - Marcus Quinlan
Stage manager - David Jacob
Set Design - Ben Hennessy
Sound - Jamie Beamish
Lighting designer - Jim Daly
Poster - Tom Casey
Programme Design - Keith Walsh
This play was originally written for the BT Connections Project, but it seemed to make sense for WYD to stage it, as the author is from Cork and that is also where the play is set.
It's an issue-based play dealing with the area of child abuse. WYD performed the play in Waterford for one week and in Cork's Granary Theatre for two nights.
Faust - 1998
Devised by the cast
Directed by Sara Thornton
WYD worked with a cast of 40 teenagers to produce a new play inspired by Marlowe's Dr Faustus and by the Faust legends. This production was the culmination of our third Summer Project and was directed by Sarah Thornton.
This was a hugely successful adaptation which kept the structure of the original story. This version was about an 18-year-old girl who sells her soul to the devil. This device enabled the young cast to devise and debate as to what she would want to achieve as a parallel to the original. The production featured great imagery and was also a first in that we changed the shape of Garter Lane by removing the middle bank of seats, thus having a traverse theatre.
The Summer Project is produced in association with Waterford Corporation and Garter Lane Arts Centre and has the central aim of giving young people the opportunity of working with professional theatre directors. Our two previous directors were Jimmy Fay (Bedrock) and Pat Kiernan (Corcadorca).
The War Mongrels - 1997
Written and directed by Liam Meagher
Sets by Ben Hennessey
Performed by our younger age group (9-13 years) and aimed at an audience of children, this show was a huge success. It's a play based on the old idea of narrators reading from an old story, telling of the hatred between two peoples in Grumbulia--the Argulians, the wealthier and more educated, and the Grumbilars, the working class.
Asleep Under the Dark Earth - 1997
A play by Sian Evans
Director - Joanne Crawford
Producer - Marcus Quinlan
Composer - Jamie Beamish
Choreography - Tom Power
Costumes - Melissa Quigley
Props - Joanne Walsh
Poster Design - Petra Stone
Lighting Designer - Jim Daly
This is a play written for the BT Connections scheme organised by the National Theatre of the UK. The scheme helps youth theatres by commissioning new work and also bringing a selected few to London as a showcase of youth theatre around the UK and Ireland. The Irish end of the project involves all groups taking part coming together in Belfast under the Lyric Theatre's team and viewing each other's work.
'Asleep' is similar in content to the Crucible, as it is set in a similar time frame and involves the fear of witchcraft, etc. But at its heart is a love story and the jealousy of a friend.
BT NATIONAL CONNECTIONS
BT National Connections is an ambitious project sponsored by British Telecom in association with the Royal National Theatre (UK). The aim of this scheme is to encourage writers to write new plays for youth theatre. In 1997 and 1999 these plays were performed throughout the UK and Ireland, and a number were selected for viewing in London.
In 1997 WYD brought its production of 'Asleep under the Dark Earth' to Belfast to participate in the BT Regional Partner Showcase.
In 1999 WYD again participated in this scheme and chose a play from a list by a new group of writers including Alan Ayckbourn, Dario Fo and Winsome Pinnock. They chose 'The Pilgrimage' by Paul Goetzee and once again performed the play in Waterford and Belfast.
In May, 1999, 'The Pilgrimage' was the only play produced in the Irish Republic to be chosen to appear in London at the prestigious Olivier Theatre.
The Dream Season - 1997
This was WYD's second Summer Project and was a huge success both for the participants (the cast) and the audience. It involved three interlocking stories and numerous characters and strange settings. The show was devised by the cast under the direction of Jimmy Fay (Bedrock Theatre). The group worked on the project for six weeks and continued devising right up to last night before opening - a great experience for all concerned.
The project would not have been possible without the assistance of Waterford Corporation, the major sponsor of the Summer Production.
Twist of Fate - 1996
This was a devised piece, directed by Ollie Breslin. It was performed in Waterford along with 'The Star Turns Red'
The Star Turns Red - 1996
This was a Workshop version of Sean O'Casey's play. It provided an opportunity for the cast to explore the work of O'Casey.
The result was performed both in Waterford and Belfast as part of the Springboard Festival. It was directed by Liam Murphy.
The Waterford show also included a devised piece, 'Twist of Fate', directed by Ollie Breslin.
THREE SHORT PLAYS
The Stick Doll - 1995
Written and directed by Ted O'Regan
This was an educational play presented by the younger Members. It aimed to bring the Irish Famine story into the lives of the present generation. It used the device of a present-day story told by a grandfather to a group of children to take the audience back 150 years to a child's story during the Famine.
The show was presented with three short pieces devised with tutors from some of the younger Workshops, including 'Zorba', 'Kinda Love Story' and 'Survival'.
ZORBA, KINDA LOVE STORY & SURVIVAL
The play 'The Stick Doll' was presented with 'Zorba', 'Kinda Love Story', and 'Survival', three short pieces devised with tutors from some of the younger Workshops.
Cast of The Stick Doll
Cast of Kinda Love Story
Cast of Zorba
Alice Through The Oxygen Mask - 1995
Devised by the Group with text written by Pat Kavanagh and Katie Fallon
This was a new take on the Alice story and produced such nightmarish and hugely entertaining scenes as: Hitler-like leader addressing his Banana Company; Rats crawling from giant fridges; a game of chess involving the cast; a cowboy in the school classroom; a two-headed god (male and female). And through all this and more went the innocent Alice trying to figure it all out. The show was a huge success and confirmed the talent of director and facilitator Liam Meagher.
Ananse (Or Cheating Death) - 1994
This was an African tale involving magic and legends, written and directed by Ted O'Regan.
The play was presented along with devised pieces from the younger Workshops.
Harambee - 1994
'Harambee', written and directed by Ted O'Regan, was WYD's first attempt at a full-scale production with our younger Workshop members (aged 9-13).
The play is based in an African village and follows the villagers' efforts to survive despite drought and food shortages. The village must organise rather than depend on outside aid for survival.
It's an educational play designed to raise developmental issues within schools.
Hello Andromeda - 1994
A play by Gerry Moran
Director - Liam Murphy
Producer - Ollie Breslin
Lighting designer - Jim Daly
'Hello Andromeda' was a new play written by Carrick-on-Suir writer Gerry Moran and directed by Liam Murphy.
This is from Liam's 'Notes from under the Paint Tin':
In Shakespeare's Henry V the 'oirish' Captain Mac Morris asks 'What ish my nation?...Ish a villain, and a bastard, and a knave and a rascal....'
Gerry Moran asks the same question in Andromeda, WHAT ISH MY COUNTRY?, with a contempt and contemporary vision culled from pop videos and a TV culture. A Shakespearian dilemma in a Ridley Scott wasteland with a smattering of Beckett and futility. A land of Moran and Moronic subculture of surreal political satire and social commentary.
Agnes of God - 1993
This play by John Pielmeier is a strange and harrowing tale exploring the birth of a baby to a young novitiate at a convent, its death and the investigation that follows.
It was directed by Jim O'Meara and was the first time WYD presented a showcase production with only three actors (Eileen Kennedy, Sinead Aylward and Lynsey Roche).
MUHUR GOZLUM - 1993
This was a devised piece created by the ten cast members with director Jim O'Meara.
It was presented at the National Association of Youth Drama's Festival of Youth Theatres in July 1993
The Ancient Mariner - 1993
Dramatised by Michael Bogdanov from the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Director - Jim O'Meara
Set Design - Clare Scott
Set Construction - Pat Grimes and Frank Roche
Lighting design - Jim Daly
Lighting Operator - Michael Oates
Costumes - Lian Breslin and Garreth Kelly
Make Up - Liam Murphy
This production of a dramatised version by Michael Bogdanov of the poem by Coleridge played for one week in Garter Lane Arts Centre. The production concentrated on the narrative of the poem but was supported by an array of visual and sound images.
To quote from the Munster Express, 'There was no sore thumbs and the teamwork was most impressive... One of the exciting factors was the emergence of a very promising young actor in Keith Dunphy as the Ancient Mariner.'
Our Town - 1992
A play by Thornton Wilder
Directed by Ollie Breslin
Every youth theatre eventually gets around to staging this great play. It's ideal for youth theatre because of its simple setting and large cast. It explores the lives of 'ordinary' people and helps the audience to stop and think about their own 'ordinary' lives.
Mad Forest - 1991
A play by: Caryl Churchill
Director - Jim O'Meara
Producer - Liam Rellis
Stage manager - Ger Meagher
Musical director - Brian Flynn
Sound director - Stephen Ryan
Lighting designer - Jim Daly
Graphic designer - Dave Earle
Administrator - Ollie Breslin
'Mad Forest' deals with the period of Romania's history during the fall of Ceauceascu and the ensuing confusion and anger among the people who now had to start trusting each other for the first time.
This production in 1991 was WYD's most ambitious with a cast of 50. For the first time we used local adults to play roles of Grandparents, etc. It was also an expensive production from a youth company point of view with an overall budget of £5000.
The show was very well received, even though Caryl Churchill's style would be very different for Waterford audiences. The show also included a live 'Romanian' wedding band.
Play 10 - 1990
This production marked the first involvement with WYD of Jim O'Meara and Kieran Stewart. Together with Ted O'Regan, they directed ten short plays.
Whale - 1990
This play by David Holman was directed by Ben Hennessy. It was based on a true story about how, for the first time, the US Navy and USSR Navy co-operated on an attempt to save the lives of a family of whales, which was stranded by ice in Arctic waters.
The show was the first large-scale production by WYD which placed an emphasis on the use of a set and costumes. It played to a very enthusiastic audience for one week in December 1990 at Garter Lane Arts Centre.
The Shrew Tamed - 1989
Directed By Ted O'regan
Music Composed By Grainne Mulvey
Music Performed By Niall O'connor, Andrew Purcell (Trumpets), Donnacha O'meara, Gavin Roche (Trombones) And Brian Daly (French Horn)
Costumes By Rory Dowling & Barbara O'connell
Sets By Barbara O'connell, Rory Dowling & Margaret Durand
Design By Maria Tobin, Nessa O'sullivan & Margaret Durand
A shortened version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, this production was presented for two nights in the Mercy Convent Primary School Hall. It had original music composed by Grainne Mulvey, a music student from WIT and performed by 5 music students. The play had a cast of 21 young teenagers.
PLAY 10 (1990)
This production marked the first involvement with WYD of Jim O'Meara and Kieran Stewart. Together with Ted O'Regan, they directed ten short plays.
Fools Gold - 1988
This was a one-act play written by Bill Malone, a local teenager, and directed by Ted O'Regan. It follows the trials and tribulations of a young rock band trying to get some breaks.
The show was the first production by WYD and was presented for two nights in Garter Lane together with a local rock band, Ice Blue Ice.
CAST:
Sinead Aylward, Ger Forristal, Fergal Kavanagh, Stephan Bourke, Fiona Bourke, Orla Kane, Evin Hayes, Decci Grant, Gavin Burke, Keith Reville, Amy Browne, Louise Ruppe, Amanda Fardy.