The Young Critics Programme is part of Youth Theatre Ireland’s commitment to developing youth theatre members’ awareness and appreciation of the aesthetic of theatre.
Young Critics 2021
This year’s Young Critics will take part in ten workshops between April and October. They'll watch and talk about digital theatre under the mentorship of Dr. Karen Fricker in Toronto and our own Alan King in Dublin.
We welcomed 20 young people onto the programme this year, expanding the group from the usual 16 places.
We are especially delighted to welcome Young Critics from recently affiliated POD, Dreamstuff and UCC Youth Theatres, who will have members on the programme for the very first time.
Young Critics 2021 are:
Chloe Anderson, Dreamstuff YT, Co.Kilkenny
Aleisha Archer Making Waves YT, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Sean Buckley, Complex YT, Dublin
Sarah Carolan, Explore YT, Leixlip, Co. Kildare
Aodhán Collins, POD YT, Virginia, Co. Cavan
Eoin Davy, Making Waves YT, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Ella Gittens, Kilkenny Youth Theatre
Pádraig Harrington, Rusty Frog YT, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Evie Howard, WACT YT, Co. Wexford
Anna Lynch, Backstage YT, Longford
Colm McAuliffe, Free Radicals Youth Theatre, Tralee, Co.Kerry
Amany McKevitt, Dublin YT
Avery Mulholland, M.A.D. YT, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Ali Murphy, Lightbulb YT, Mallow, Co. Cork
Ciara O’Driscoll, UCC YT, Cork
Éabha Phelan, Celbridge Youth Drama, Co. Kildare
Kai Ryan, Griese YT, Co. Kildare
Holly Thomson, Droichead YT, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Jasmine Walsh, Co. Limerick YT
Ciara Whelan WACT YT, Co. Wexford
This is our second year of running a fully online programme and offers the Young Critics an opportunity to connect, see some amazing digital theatre, voice their opinions and make new friends along the way.
You can follow the Young Critics blog here.
MORE ABOUT YOUNG CRITICS
Young Critics is one of Youth Theatre Ireland's longest-running and most innovative programmes. This innovation came to the fore in 2020, as our programme was forced to move online. For Young Critics 2021, we are taking all we’ve learned to fully immerse ourselves in the worlds of criticism, digital theatre and to work completely in the online space.
Over six months, the Young Critics will participate in regular online workshops, see some incredible digital theatre, make new friends and learn the art of theatre criticism. The programme is open to youth theatre members who are interested in watching theatre, discovering how and why digital theatre is made, and learning how to critically discuss, analyse and review this work. The programme will culminate with The Young Critics Panel in October.
During the programme, young people will see quality productions while developing their critical skills under the mentorship of international theatre critic and academic, Dr. Karen Fricker and Youth Theatre Ireland’s own Alan King.
Along the way, you will connect with other young people from across Ireland, make new friends, have fun and have some incredible experiences.
If you need further information please contact Alan King at Youth Theatre Ireland on 01 878 1301 or email alan@youththeatre.ie
WHAT HAPPENS DURING YOUNG CRITICS?
The Young Critics are meeting over a series of online workshops and events using the Zoom platform.
The group meets on Saturday afternoons from 3-5.30pm on the following dates:
Sat April 10, 3 - 5.30 Workshop
Sat April 17, 3 -5.30 Workshop
Sat April 24, 3 - 5.30 Workshop
Sat May 8 or May 15, 3 - 5.30 Workshop
Sat May 22, 3 - 5.30 Workshop
Sat July 3, 3 - 5.30 Workshop
Sat August 21, 3 - 5.30 Workshop
Sat Sept 11, 3 - 5.30 Workshop
Sat Oct 9, 3 - 5.30 Workshop
Sat Oct 10, 3 - 6 Young Critics Panel
In addition, the Young Critics see several digital theatre pieces on a variety of platforms.
Between the workshop sessions, the Young Critics will have the opportunity to see other productions and make critical responses through the use of digital technology including written blogs, podcasts, and vlogs. The Young Critics are supported by our professional mentors through online workshops and tutorials.
To see the Young Critics in action, check out the Young Critics Panel from 2020 here
HOW DO I APPLY TO TAKE PART IN YOUNG CRITICS?
Participation in the programme is free: all costs are covered by Youth Theatre Ireland.
It is open to youth theatre members who will be aged 16 - 20 by April 5, 2021. We are looking for young people who are comfortable meeting new people, working in a highly focused way and are willing to share their thoughts and opinions in a group setting. A love of theatre and an enthusiasm for engaging with digital tools are a bonus.
Applications for 2021 are now closed.
To offer individual advice and guidance on developing each young person's critical skills, places on the programme are limited. All applications will be considered fairly and be representative of Youth Theatre Ireland’s membership nationwide.