Everyman Palace building for the future through youth project
ALTHOUGH live entertainment may be on hold for the time being, Cork’s Everyman Palace Theatre is planning for the future through an initiative aimed at encouraging young people to harness their creative talents.
The Everyman has been working with the YMCA and the Cork-based Graffiti Theatre Company, with the support of the Abbey Theatre, on ‘ Theatre-Making and Citizenship, Cork’, an initiative introducing young people to theatre and performance through ‘conversation, engagement, and creation’.
A series of online workshops will offer participants the chance to fulfil their ambition of becoming theatre makers through writing, devising and performance and engagement with the Everyman, Graffiti and the Abbey.
They will discuss and critique works, take online venue tours and speak with experts from across a wide variety of disciplines including lighting and sound and set & costume design.
A core element of the initiative will be that of exploring the role of theatre in Ireland and how they – as active participants – can contribute to or shape the future of accessible theatre for young people in Ireland.
Aíne O’Callaghan, senior youth worker with the Cork YMCA ‘Groundfloor’ arts project , said they were delighted to be involved with the initiative.
“This is an amazing opportunity for young people to have fun creating with others, to develop skills in cultural citizenship and theatre-making and to have their voices heard on the issues that are important to them,” she said.
The programme is a reworking of the Abbey’s ‘ Theatre Making and Citizenship’ course, which has been successfully rolled out to schools over the past five years.
The Abbey Theatre’s community & education manager, Phil Kingston, said they were delighted with the Everyman’s move to bring it out of the classroom setting in partnership with Graffiti.
“We are especially pleased to be working for the first time with the YMCA Groundfloor Cork in support of their pioneering work.
“It feels like the perfect collaboration to help more young people explore the relevance and power of drama in the life of a healthy society,” he said.
‘ Theatre-Making and Citizenship, Cork’, will begin with an online pilot phase in spring 2021 and will roll out in person, Covid-allowing, during the summer.
Everyman education and community manager, Maev O’Shea, said it builds on the theatre’s ‘powerful community story’.
“The theatre grew from a company of local amateur actors and makers.
“In our theatre, we believe The Everyman is for everyone. This Theatre-Making & Citizenship, Cork, programme begins the next chapter in that story,” said Maev.
“Our friends and colleagues in Graffiti Theatre Company and The Abbey have been brilliant with special thanks to the staff and young people at Groundfloor, YMCA, who are bringing the project to life.”
For more information about the initiative follow the link at www.everymancork.com.