Busy summer for MAD YT
IT’S being a busy and productive summer for the members of Dundalk’s M.A.D Youth Theatre (MADYT) and there’s still more to come for these talented and enthusiastic youngsters.
They have just finished hosting the Authors Theatre Organisation (ATO) from Moscow, Russia whom they invited to join them in an eight day residential youth exchange in Carlingford. The two groups previously meet at a Youth Theatre festival in Prague, Czech Republic in February 2016 and thanks to European Erasmus funding as well as a grant from national agency Léargas, MADYT were able to invite the Russian group to join them in this exchange.
The exchange took the them of ‘Building Bonds Through Storytelling’, with the aim of bringing the young people from two different countries together to share their commonality and build an understanding of their differences. They exchanged and share the ways they do theatre, and also explored each other’s folklores and stories. This was done through the process of drama and the exploration of the English Language.
The two groups exchanged stories, with MADYT telling the legendary tale of ‘An Táin Bo Culigne’ and ATO presenting the popular Russian tale of ‘ The Frog Princess’, which they then used to create a short performance. The groups were fascinated by the stories; ATO members were intrigued on how the Táin was tied into the heritage, culture and geography of Ireland and blown away by the magic and grandest of the Queen Meave and Warrior Cuchuliáinn. The Frog Princess sparked curiosity and has all the ingredients for an epic tale of good versus evil and fighting for true love.
Both groups took to the stage for a stunning performance of their production of the two stories in The Spirit Store at the end of the residency,
And it wasn’t all stage craft, as they also had fun taking part in the outdoor activities at Carlingford Adventure Centre.
The residential was a huge success and MADYT are now hoping to head to Moscow in the not so ddistant future.
MADYT are grateful to all those who helped them make the residential exchange such a success including Tesco Longwalk Shopping Centre, local councillors, Carlingford Adventure Centre, Carlingford Town Hall, Gerry Ball, The Arts Office, and Erasmus Plus.
The group are also running summer camps at Stephentown Pond and Creative Spark. There are still places available on the Acting For Camera workshop for young people age 12 to 21 who are interested in learning the techniques and skill it takes to make an effective Audition Tape for casting, and vlogging.
Taking place at Creative Spark, Clontygora, Muirhevnamor, the week long camp gets underway on Monday July 31, from 11am to 2pm daily. Previous acting experience will help but not essential.
Participants will receive Acting CV examples, contact lists and actors’ headshots (Digital Copies) along with an audition video. To reserve a place Contact Kwasie: 0831404747 or email