Youth Theatre
  • Support Us
  • About
  • News
  • Login
  • Programmes

    Programmes

    For Young People
    National Festival of Youth Theatres National Youth Theatre Pathways to Professionalism Youth Board Young Critics
    For Leaders / Practitioners
    Accredited Training BUZZ Network Leading On Training and Masterclasses Youth Theatre Practice Symposium Youth Theatre Ireland Roadshow
  • Resources

    Resources

    Artistic and Youth Theatre Management Resources Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources Playshare Young Critics Resource Suite
  • Membership & Services

    Membership & Services

    Membership
    Become a Member FAQs Our Members
    Youth Theatre Support Scheme Garda Vetting
  • Youth Theatres

    Youth Theatres

    Find a Youth Theatre Upcoming Youth Theatre Events
  • Programmes
    • For Young People
      • National Festival of Youth Theatres
      • National Youth Theatre
      • Pathways to Professionalism
      • Youth Board
      • Young Critics
    • For Leaders / Practitioners
      • Accredited Training
      • BUZZ Network
      • Leading On
      • Training and Masterclasses
      • Youth Theatre Practice Symposium
      • Youth Theatre Ireland Roadshow
  • Resources
    • Artistic and Youth Theatre Management Resources
      • Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
        • Playshare
          • Young Critics Resource Suite
          • Membership & Services
            • Membership
              • Become a Member
              • FAQs
              • Our Members
            • Youth Theatre Support Scheme
              • Garda Vetting
              • Youth Theatres
                • Find a Youth Theatre
                  • Upcoming Youth Theatre Events
                  • Support Us
                  • About
                    • What We Do
                      • YTI Team
                        • Support Us
                          • Governance
                            • Child Protection & Welfare
                            • Data Protection & Privacy
                            • Audited Accounts
                        • News
                          • Latest News
                            • Newsletter
                            • Login
                            • Connect
                              • Facebook
                              • Twitter
                              • Instagram
                              • YouTube
                            Young critics banner
                            For Young People

                            Young Critics

                            • For Young People
                              • National Festival of Youth Theatres
                              • National Youth Theatre
                              • Pathways to Professionalism
                              • Youth Board
                              • Young Critics
                            • For Leaders / Practitioners
                              • Accredited Training
                              • BUZZ Network
                              • Leading On
                              • Training and Masterclasses
                              • Youth Theatre Practice Symposium
                              • Youth Theatre Ireland Roadshow
                            "The programme has given me a much better understanding of all the elements of theatre and how to implement them into my performance and writing. It has definitely helped me socially considering I didn't get many chances to meet new people over the past few years." Young Critic 2021
                            "Young critics was an amazing experience and it was one of the best things I’ve done in youth theatre." Young Critic 2014

                            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.

                            ABOUT YOUNG CRITICS

                            Young Critics is one of Youth Theatre Ireland's longest-running and most innovative programmes. Over 300 young people have taken part in our Young Critics' programmes since 2004. These include young people from all across Ireland, as well as Northern Ireland, Great Britain, and as far away as Austria and Norway.

                            Celebrating its twentieth year in 2023, the Young Critics programme blends the best of online working, in-person workshops, and the magic of seeing live theatre in a packed auditorium once again.

                            Over six months, the Young Critics participate in online workshops, visit Cork and Dublin for incredible meet ups, see some amazing shows, make new friends and learn the art of theatre criticism.

                            It is open to youth theatre members who are interested in watching theatre, discovering how and why theatre is made, and learning how to critically discuss, analyse, and review this work.

                            During the programme, young people 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 National Programme Co-Ordinator Rebecca Feely.

                            The programme culminates with The Young Critics Panel each October as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.

                            Along the way, participants connect with other young people from across Ireland, make new friends, have fun and have some life changing experiences.

                            WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE YOUNG CRITICS?

                            The Young Critics meet over a series of online workshops and for three action-packed meet ups in Cork and Dublin. Here's an example of our 2023 programme:

                            • Saturday May 27th: Online Workshop, 3pm - 5pm.
                            • Thursday June 1st: Online Participant & Parent Evening, 7pm.
                            • Wednesday June 21st – Friday June 23rd: 3 Residential Days at Cork Midsummer Festival.
                            • Saturday August 19th: Full day in Dublin (non-residential)
                            • Saturday September 16th: Online Workshop, 3pm - 5pm.
                            • Friday Oct 6th – Sunday Oct 8th: 3 Residential Days at Dublin Theatre Festival.


                            Don’t take our word for it. See what 2019 Young Critic Jessie has to say about the programme here.

                            To see the Young Critics in action, check out the Young Critics Panel from 2021

                            Listen to the Young Critics Panel at Dublin Theatre Festival 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. This includes theatre tickets, accommodation, travel, and meals.

                            It is open to youth theatre members are aged 16 - 21. We are looking for young people who are comfortable staying away from home and 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.

                            We will provide you with all the skills and tools needed to take part fully in the programme. To be a Young Critic you must be available for all the dates listed above.

                            Applications for 2024 will open early next year.

                            To offer individual advice and guidance on developing each young person's critical skills, places on the programme are limited number of places are available. All applications will be considered fairly and be representative of Youth Theatre Ireland’s membership nationwide.

                            The 2023 Young Critics

                            Young Critics 2023 at Cork Midsummer Festival
                            Young Critics 2023 at Cork Midsummer Festival

                            We kicked off the year at Cork Midsummer Festival from the 21st to the 23rd of June.

                            The Young Critics saw three shows over the Cork Midsummer Festival: Trojans, by Phillip Connaughton; FreeFalling by Georgina Miller; and The Four Lovers, by The Circus Factory. This experience culminated in a public panel hosted at Cork Arts Theatre, where our youth theatre members presented their opinions and views to the public.

                            Find out more about this year's Young Critics here.

                            Listen to the Young Critics Panel at Dublin Theatre Festival here.

                            FAQs

                            I’m hooked and want to apply! What do I need to know?

                            We open applications early in the year. You must be a current member of a youth theatre that is affiliated to Youth Theatre Ireland and aged between 16 and 21. You are asked to submit a short review of a production you have attended. A limited number of participants are chosen.

                            I need more information

                            If you need further information please contact Rebecca Feely at Youth Theatre Ireland on 01 878 1301 or email Rebecca

                            The Young Critics Programme sounds cool. What’s the experience like?

                            Watch below as Kate Moore from Free Radicals Youth Theatre in County Kerry reflects on her experience of the first residential for Young Critics in April 2018.

                            Young Critics culminates with a panel discussion that is programmed as part of the annual Dublin Theatre Festival.

                            Young Critics' Panel at Dublin Theatre Festival, Oct 10th 2021

                            Feedback from Young Critics 2020

                            Young Critics 2014 Credit Allen Kiely
                            Visit the Young Critics Blog

                            Young Critics Review

                            Keep Up to Date

                            Sign up for the Youth Theatre Newsletter

                            Top
                            • 7 North Great George’s Street
                              Dublin 1, Ireland
                            •  
                            • +353 1 878 1301
                            • info@youththeatre.ie
                            • Facebook
                            • Twitter
                            • Instagram
                            • YouTube
                            Ac theatre
                            Creative Ireland
                            Dept Children Equality Disability Integration Youth White 01
                            • Privacy & Cookie Policy
                            • © 2023 Youth Theatre. Company registration no: 191785.
                            • Youth Theatre Ireland is a registered business name of the National Association for Youth Drama, Company Limited by Guarantee.
                            website by PATH