Young performers from across the North are taking part in Cue the Future: Youth Theatre Island – Belfast Showcase as part of a major all-island youth theatre initiative celebrating Ireland’s talented young people’s artistic voices and creativity.
Taking place at The MAC in Belfast on Saturday 6 June, the showcase will feature two new devised works by award-winning theatre companies, Brassneck Youth, Belfast and Cultúrlann Caisleán Ruairí – Youth Drama from Rostrevor.
Delivered in partnership by Theatre and Dance NI and Youth Theatre Ireland, the project is supported through Creative Ireland’s Shared Island Initiative as part of Cruinniú na nÓg, Ireland’s national day of free creativity for children and young people.
The Belfast showcase will also feature performances from Griese Youth Theatre, Kildare and Droichead Youth Theatre, Drogheda who are also Youth Theatre Ireland members.
Further afield, 5th Element Youth Theatre, Belfast will be performing in Kildare and CRAIC Theatre, Coalisland will be taking their performance to Donegal as part of showcase events taking place across the island.
Celebrating young creativity
Through theatre, the initiative aims to create opportunities for young people to connect across communities, share experiences and develop creatively through new writing, devised performance and collaboration.
Niamh Flanagan, Executive Director of Theatre and Dance NI, shared:
“This event is a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the creativity, confidence and talent of young people from across the island of Ireland. We are proud to support northern youth theatre groups to take part in this exciting programme and create opportunities for young people to connect and experience performing their work in front of a live audience in a key Belfast arts venue.”
Cahal Clarke of Wee Yarn Productions, curator of the youth groups for Theatre and Dance NI, shared:
“This project has been an incredible cross-border initiative, creating opportunities for creative expression, mutual understanding and joy for young people across the island. It has also allowed artists, venues and practitioners to build long-lasting relationships across the industry. I feel incredibly lucky to work with Theatre and Dance NI and to see their values and commitment echoed by Youth Theatre Ireland. I’m really looking forward to the final performances and celebrating the exceptional work these young people have created together.”
Speaking about the project, Eoghan Doyle, Director of Youth Theatre Ireland said:
“Youth Theatre Island is a powerful example of why partnerships across the island of Ireland matter – giving young people a shared space to collaborate and express their unique voices. This project, kindly funded through the Shared Island initiative, will premiere 16 brand new theatre pieces across five venues… I am looking forward to sharing the energy and originality of youth theatre with audiences this June. Opportunities like this are vital in ensuring young people feel seen, heard and creatively empowered.”
About Cue the Future: Youth Theatre Island – Belfast Showcase
Cue the Future: Youth Theatre Island – Belfast Showcase is an event taking place as part of an all-island youth theatre initiative delivered in partnership by Theatre and Dance NI and Youth Theatre Ireland, supported through Creative Ireland’s Shared Island Initiative as part of Cruinniú na nÓg.
The project brings together youth theatre groups from across the island to develop and present new writing, devised theatre and original performance work while building creative connections and collaboration between young people and practitioners.