Eoghan Doyle—Director
Eoghan is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of Youth Theatre Ireland. He previously served as a board member from 2007 to 2011 and as Acting Director from 2018 to 2019. In his role as Assistant County Arts Officer in Kildare County Council (2007-2020), he spearheaded a range of supports for youth theatres in the county including annual funding and professional development supports, the establishment of the award-winning Kildare Young Filmmakers, and writing County Kildare's first youth arts strategy. Eoghan trained as an actor in DIT’s Conservatory of Music and Drama before undertaking Artstrain, Youth Theatre Ireland’s Drama Facilitation Programme. He was Artistic Director of Clondalkin Youth Theatre and was Irish Animateur at the European Children’s Theatre Encounter in 2005.
Alan King—Deputy Director
Alan brings 30 years of arts and youth theatre experience to this role. He supports the strategic development of Youth Theatre Ireland and leads on youth theatre research and development.
Alan held the position of Youth Theatre Officer at Youth Theatre Ireland from 2010- 21. In this role, he supported the sustained artistic development of youth theatres through the development of resources, training, support, and advice for established and developing youth theatres in Ireland. Notable successes included the development and innovation of the Young Critics Programme, building and curating the Playshare collection, and producing the National Youth Theatre from 2015 to 2020.
He also has worked in various capacities on multiple aspects of Youth Theatre Ireland’s work including festivals, exchanges, leader training, and writer’s commissions. He is a former member of Dublin Youth Theatre.
Dave Kelly—National Training Co-ordinator
Dave develops, coordinates, and facilitates Youth Theatre Ireland’s national training programme. He is the author of 'Laying The Foundations: A Guide to Youth Drama Facilitation'. Dave regularly facilitates workshops from the book with groups across the country. He is also a Co-ordinator and tutor on Youth Theatre Ireland's part-time QQI-accredited Level 6 programme in Drama Facilitation. He programmes and co-produces Leading On, our annual residential Leader Training Programme. He also coordinates the artistic team at the National Festival of Youth Theatres. Dave is a former member of Dublin Youth Theatre (DYT), he was DYT’s Artistic Director from 2014 to 2021.
Rebecca Feely—National Programme Co-ordinator
Rebecca is responsible for designing, delivering and supporting the artistIc programme of Youth Theatre Ireland and our members.
She leads the Young Critics Programme, is the assistant director & company manager for the National Youth Theatre. She develops and curates the Playshare resource and provides ongoing artistic advice and resources to our members. She also leads the continued development of the new ‘Pathways to Professionalism’ programme for senior youth theatre members and with the National Training Co-Ordinator, she develops and project manages the Leading On... training programme for youth theatre leaders. Rebecca completed her honours bachelor’s degree in Drama and Theatre Studies at Trinity College Dublin in 2015 and her master’s degree in Shakespeare and Creativity from The Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham in 2021. She is a former member of Activate Youth Theatre.
Barry Morgan—Special Projects Officer
As part of Creative Ireland’s "Creative Youth Strategy", Barry supports the development of new youth theatres in Westmeath, Offaly and Dublin. His work includes guiding and training youth theatre management and providing accredited training for drama facilitators. Barry is one half of Tailtiu Theatre, Co-Artistic Director of Mosney Youth Theatre, and is a former member of Droichead Youth Theatre.
Cathal Thornton—Child Protection and Wellbeing Officer
Cathal is responsible for managing all Child Protection and Wellbeing aspects of our work. He acts as the information point for our members on all welfare matters and as Liaison Person for the Youth Theatre Ireland Garda Vetting Consortium. Cathal is a former member of Droichead Youth Theatre.
Joanne Heffernan—Administrator
Joanne@youththeatre.ie
Joanne Heffernan is an experienced administrator having worked in varied fields including film & TV, financial services, customer service and creative agencies. With an MA in Creative Production and Screen Finance, Joanne has a passion for the arts and performs as a stand up comedian in her spare time. Joanne previously trained as a dancer and musician and undertook speech and drama lessons: all of which had a positive impact on her confidence growing up, leading to her desire to work in youth development.