Breaking Barriers Theatre Group Affiliates with Youth Theatre Ireland

Breaking Barriers Theatre Group was established in 2018 by the Crann Centre in Ovens, Co. Cork as a fun, collaborative theatre programme that supports children, teenagers and adults with neuro-physical disabilities to develop their confidence through drama.

Breaking Barriers is a space to socialise & work on emotional development & communication. Drama uses play, story, imagination, improvisation and creative thinking to bring performance to life. An important part of Crann’s Social Capital service, Breaking Barriers is now an established programme that nearly 150 clients have participated in.

Remarking on their newly affiliated status Eimear Daly, Head of Services Crann Centre said

“We are incredibly excited about our new affiliation with Youth Theatre Ireland. Breaking Barriers Theatre Group has become an incredible success for the Crann Centre and the recognition from Youth Theatre Ireland gives our team further opportunity to achieve our ambition and continue to deepen the experience and grow the service for our kids & youth group participants. With Youth Theatre Ireland’s support we will be able to take our kids & youth group participants to more diverse events and make new social connections with other youth theatre groups which is so important in breaking down social barriers for people who live with disability.”

Youth Theatre Ireland and Breaking Barriers Theatre Group have been working closely together since November 2022 to bring the Children's and Teen's group into affiliation.

In March 2023 Breaking Barriers Theatre Group were awarded a €8500 grant from Youth Theatre Ireland, through financial support from the Creative Ireland Programme, towards the growth and development of the group.

Speaking at the time of the award, Alan King, Deputy Director of Youth Theatre Ireland said

“Youth Theatre Ireland’s mission is to empower young people through youth theatre and to provide access to youth theatre to every young person in Ireland. With thanks to the support of the Creative Ireland programme, we have been able to invest significant funds to support the development of a youth theatre in the Crann Centre. Not only will this financial investment make a significant impact on the members of the group, providing an enriching creative space for members to explore and grow as artists and people, it will also help Youth Theatre Ireland improve equality of access to youth theatre for more young people and ultimately move us closer to achieving our mission.”

Group meet-up’s are held weekly in Crann’s fully accessible centre in Ovens. As well as weekly classes & outings during term, there is a big show to prepare for culminating in our groups delivering live performances at the end of term. There are three groups, children, youths (teenagers) & adults running two terms per year, starting in September and running until June, and it’s all led by the brilliant Lead Facilitator Donna O’Keeney, with support from Ciara O’Neill and Aisling O’Kane.