Michelle Read
Drama Techniques, Theatre Making
Locations
Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow
In-person workshops?
Yes
Online workshops?
Yes
Contact details
Website
Skills and workshops
Skills and workshop facilitated
Creative Writing
Improvisation
Script and Text Analysis
Verbatim Theatre
Devising
Dramaturgy
Playwriting
Workshops as Gaeilge?
No
Age range facilitated
12-15, 15-18, 18+
Artist biography
As a playwright and theatre maker I lead workshops in devising and writing, and am also very interested in longer-term playwriting collaborations with Youth Theatre groups to create original shows.
See Playshare for my plays 'Game Over' and 'The Oasis'.
I’ve facilitated many YT workshops over the years with Dublin Youth Theatre, Portlaoise YT and the Tenderfoot Programme at the Civic Theatre. I’m an Artist-in-Schools with the primary arts programme for dlr since 2013, creating playwriting programmes for 4th, 5th and 6th class.
Improvisation and comedy is also a big part of my work. I trained with Loose Moose and Keith Johnstone and am a founder member and regular player with the Dublin Comedy Improv.
My own time in Youth Theatre had a huge impact on me and led to a career in the arts. I trained to be an actor, worked as a stand-up comic and started to write and produce plays in the early years of the Dublin Fringe. Recent shows include 'On A House Like A Fire' (Bealtaine Festival '24) and 'The Somewhat Imagined, Partly Historical, True Story of the Forgotten Irish Playwright, Teresa Deevy’, (Mill Theatre '25).
See Playshare for my plays 'Game Over' and 'The Oasis'.
I’ve facilitated many YT workshops over the years with Dublin Youth Theatre, Portlaoise YT and the Tenderfoot Programme at the Civic Theatre. I’m an Artist-in-Schools with the primary arts programme for dlr since 2013, creating playwriting programmes for 4th, 5th and 6th class.
Improvisation and comedy is also a big part of my work. I trained with Loose Moose and Keith Johnstone and am a founder member and regular player with the Dublin Comedy Improv.
My own time in Youth Theatre had a huge impact on me and led to a career in the arts. I trained to be an actor, worked as a stand-up comic and started to write and produce plays in the early years of the Dublin Fringe. Recent shows include 'On A House Like A Fire' (Bealtaine Festival '24) and 'The Somewhat Imagined, Partly Historical, True Story of the Forgotten Irish Playwright, Teresa Deevy’, (Mill Theatre '25).
Education and qualification
QUALIFICATIONS:
Masters, Writing For Performance, Goldsmiths College, London (2009/10).
Masters, Screenwriting, IADT, Dublin (2004/5).
BA (Hons) Performance Arts (Drama), Middlesex Poly, London (1985-1988).
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT:
SheShePop Germany - one-day workshop with Johanna Freiburg exploring some of the personal material devising techniques of the company’s work (Dublin, 2019).
Micro Cinema Theatre A three-day practical workshop with Gavin Glover of Faulty Optic, Dublin, 2018.
Frantic Assembly Physical Theatre training day, Manchester, 2018.
Coney Masterclass Professional training summer school with UK-based interactive theatre company, Coney, London (2016).
Punchdrunk Workshop Organised by the Ark and Anu Theatre with Punchdrunk Theatre Company (UK) - exploring different approaches to immersive performance, Dublin (2013).
Between 2015 and 2024 I taught Live Art, site-based & immersive theatre for Colaiste Dulaigh CFE’s BA Drama Top-Up Degree. I’m a member of Youth Theatre Ireland, Create, Performing Arts Forum, Irish Equity, Irish Writer’s Guild and the Dramaturg’s Network.
Masters, Writing For Performance, Goldsmiths College, London (2009/10).
Masters, Screenwriting, IADT, Dublin (2004/5).
BA (Hons) Performance Arts (Drama), Middlesex Poly, London (1985-1988).
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT:
SheShePop Germany - one-day workshop with Johanna Freiburg exploring some of the personal material devising techniques of the company’s work (Dublin, 2019).
Micro Cinema Theatre A three-day practical workshop with Gavin Glover of Faulty Optic, Dublin, 2018.
Frantic Assembly Physical Theatre training day, Manchester, 2018.
Coney Masterclass Professional training summer school with UK-based interactive theatre company, Coney, London (2016).
Punchdrunk Workshop Organised by the Ark and Anu Theatre with Punchdrunk Theatre Company (UK) - exploring different approaches to immersive performance, Dublin (2013).
Between 2015 and 2024 I taught Live Art, site-based & immersive theatre for Colaiste Dulaigh CFE’s BA Drama Top-Up Degree. I’m a member of Youth Theatre Ireland, Create, Performing Arts Forum, Irish Equity, Irish Writer’s Guild and the Dramaturg’s Network.