With just over a month to go until our annual symposium we are thrilled to announce our programme elements.
Joining us over our two days at TU Dublin, East Quad, Grangegorman Campus, Dublin 7, on November 13th and 14th are some of the leading artists, educatiors and thinkers in Irish theatre, youth theatre, creativity and the arts.
Speakers and workshop facilitators include: Dominic Campbell, Catherine Sheridan, Dr. Ciara L Murphy & Dr. Brian Keegan, Phil Kingston, Dr. Ali Fitzgibbon, Donna O'Keeney & Rachel Doolin
Playing For Life is delivered in partnership with the TU Dublin School of Media, School of Social Sciences, Law and Education, and the TU Dublin Conservatoire.
Closing date for registration is October 31st so don't delay in buying your tickets here.
Workshops
Workshop 1: What If? Making Room for Wonder
Facilitated by Catherine Sheridan
Catherine Sheridan is a drama facilitator, theatre director, playwright and arts education practitioner. Founder and Artistic Director of Roscommon County Youth Theatre and Director of Drama Works Ireland.
Workshop 2: Permission to Play
Facilitated by Rachel Doolin & Donna O’Keeney
Rachel Doolin is Director of Graffiti BEAG Early Years Arts Programme, a multidisciplinary initiative delivering high-quality participatory arts experiences for children aged 0–3 since 2010.
Donna O’Keeney is an artist, facilitator and experienced drama practitioner who has been part of Team Graffiti since 2011. Her work foregrounds access, care and playful creativity, ensuring every young person can participate meaningfully and be seen within the work.
Workshop 3: Sound Play: Making Audio Performance Together
Facilitated by Dr. Ciara Murphy & Dr. Brian Keegan
Dr Ciara L. Murphy is Lecturer in Drama, teaching on the B.A. (Hons) in Drama (Performance) programme at the TU Dublin Conservatoire.Ciara completed her PhD in Drama, Theatre, and Performance in 2020 at the University of Galway.
With a background in contemporary music composition, sound design and linguistics, Brian Keegan has composed contemporary classical music for live performance and has collaborated with artists in the areas of dance, film and theatre.
Workshop 4: Point. Click. Play. - Interactive Theatre with Barry & Cathal
Facilitated by Barry Morgan & Cathal Thornton with Donal Beecher
Tailtiu Theatre was founded by Barry Morgan and Cathal Thornton with a focus of creating socially engaged, interactive art. Since 2019 their work has highlighted the importance of creativity in the community.
Donal Beecher is a lecturer and researcher in the School of Media, Technological University Dublin where he lectures Writing for Screen.
Speakers Include:
Youth Theatre Ireland Director Eoghan Doyle launches Youth Theatre Ireland's Strategic Plan 2026-2030
Rachel Doolin &Donna O’Keeney: Graffiti BEAG – Creating Space for the Magic in Everyday
Catherine Sheridan: What If? Making Room for Wonder
Dominic Campbell: Playing For All of Your Life
And Even More...
Our Saturday Sessions are:
Long Table: Life in 2030 and beyond – where do we want to be?
Facilitated by Dr. Ali FitzGibbon
Fireside Chat - Players At Life. Hosted by Phil Kingston with guests Darren Yorke, Eoghan Healy Flanagan and Michelle Read.
Youth theatres members will take to the stage with the annual Playshare Showcase and Lara Coady will guide our Emerging Voices participants as they reflect on their Symposium Experience.
The timetable and full programme can be viewed here:
Playing For Life Timetable Oct 9 2026
Symposium 2026 Speakers Presenters WorkshopsProgramme subject to change.
- Dates
Nov 13th and 14th 2026 - Venue
TU Dublin, East Quad, Grangegorman Campus, Dublin 7 - Further Information
Register here before October 31st. Limited Tickets Available.