Plot Twist Applications Open!

We are looking for youth theatre members who are interested in writing a 10–20-minute short play as part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2026!

From October to February, you will work with a playwright mentor who will lead you through a creative writing process with other young people from across the island.

This opportunity is for anyone who is interested in playwriting, whether as a beginner or if you have some experience already, we want to hear from you!

In the October mid-term break there will be an in-person 3 day residential in Dublin where you will meet the playwright mentors and the other participants of the programme. The rest of the playwriting sessions will be held online via zoom.

The programme will finish at the February mid-term break with the final pieces offered to youth theatres taking part in Youth Theatre Island on Cruinniú na nÓg 2026. Each piece will also be added to Youth Theatre Ireland’s Playshare collection for youth theatres to perform in the future.

• You must be a current member of a youth theatre affiliated with Youth Theatre Ireland and be aged 16 or over by October 1st.

• Please prepare a piece of creative writing – whatever type of creative writing you like poetry, limericks, pages from a play, prose, etc. Get creative! The piece of writing should reflect your personality.
• You can submit a written piece or a 2–3-minute audio or video piece.
• You can submit all your details via the application form online here: https://forms.office.com/e/1buihuiku7

• Application Deadline: October 5th.
• You must be available for and commit to:
  • The October mid-term break
  • 6-10 online sessions with the playwright mentor via zoom between October and February.