Druid schemes support new work

Druid Theatre is currently taking submissions for its two popular programmes, New Writing and Fuel.

The New Writing scheme does exactly what it says on the tin and promotes new writing, while Fuel is an artist-in-residence scheme for people and companies who are developing new work.

Submissions for New Writing can be made until November 30, via a new online process. Selected scripts may be read as part of the company’s Druid Debuts series each summer and there’s a possibility of further development. Druid will also run other initiatives in 2017 and 2018 to engage and develop playwrights, continuing the company’s commitment to new writing.

Druid has a long tradition of bringing new writers to the fore. The best known of these is probably Martin McDonagh, but others who have launched their theatre-writing careers at Druid include Owen McCafferty, Vincent Woods, Abbie Spallen, Gerald Murphy, Christian O’Reilly and Lucy Caldwell. The company has also premiered new plays from Enda Walsh, Marina Carr, Meadhbh McHugh and Stuart Carolan. It has had a long relationship with the great Tom Murphy and achieved some of its greatest successes when working with the Tuam playwright. And Druid is always on the lookout for new talent.

“Our script intake doubled in 2016, which is a very healthy sign for Irish writing,” says Druid’s Artistic Director, Garry Hynes. But the company is not resting on its laurels, she adds.

“We want to look at creating the best conditions in which to nurture new writing and are looking forward to improving the process by which we support writers.”

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.