Artistic Development
A look at what happens here at Theatre Royal Waterford to support artists in the development and presentation of new work
Nick Kavanagh – Artist in Residence
Curious State Theatre Company
Nick Kavanagh
Artistic Director / Performer / WriterKillian Browne
Performer/ MusicianCilian Jacob
Performer/ MusicianCiara Healy
PerformerKate Powell
Performer/ MusicianLaura Broderick
PerformerDean Caulfield
Sound TechnicianJoe Harney
Sound DesignerEoin O'hAnnracháin
DirectorTheatre artist Nick Kavanagh, of Curious State Theatre Company, is our Artist in Residence for 2023. The Waterford-born performer, director, writer and tutor is working at the theatre throughout the year on a number of exciting new projects for Curious State. Much of this site-responsive work is anchored within and inspired by Theatre Royal’s new urban biodiversity garden and in line with both the theatre’s and Curious State’s ‘green arts’ strategies.
Highlights planned include the development of ‘climate conscious’ workshops and theatre pieces that will engage with theatre makers, local primary and secondary schools and SETU students.
Nick’s residency here at Theatre Royal is supported by The Arts Council and Waterford City and County Council
Behind The Scenes
Culture Night launch for new ‘flipped’ venue
We're reimagining our historic auditorium this Culture Night by ‘flipping’ the venue and creating a large dance floor area...
SEVN artist bursary winner
Palestinian circus artist Fadi Zmorrod has been announced as the recipient of the 2023-24 South East Venue Network (SEVN) artist bursary.
A climate conscious collaboration between Waterford’s Theatre Royal and artist-in-residence Nick Kavanagh, of Curious State Theatre Company, is one of 43 recipients to be awarded funding under th...
Theatre Royal’s ‘The People’s Parade’ brought a 100-strong cast of crabs, whales, evil polluters, earth protectors and other colourful characters with a clear environmental message on to th...
Backstage at the Royal
Backstage@TheRoyal, an emerging music initiative, was developed by the theatre team to reimagine our live music venue and provide musicians with the opportunity to bring new music to a live audience.
At a Backstage gig, the audience joins the act onstage for an intimate, cabaret-style event. Backstage@TheRoyal is all about original music and guests range from well-known national names to up-and-coming local bands.
Darktime at the Royal
Theatre Royal provides professional arts practitioners with time inside the theatre auditorium, a space that allows artists to think about, develop, create, trial, workshop and rehearse a new piece of work. This time is made available on days that TR is ‘dark’, when no other activity is taking place inside the auditorium.
We also offer professional arts practitioners with a workspace at the theatre’s administration office that enables them to develop new work (writing time), research subject matters that apply to the development of new work, write and submit funding applications. Practitioners are given a workspace in a professional working environment and provided with a PC and printer usage, WIFI and office space. Mentoring supports are also provided as part of this support.
Training & Resources
Useful links to professional development and training opportunities and resources for professional artists.
Bursaries
Theatre Royal’s Creative Shoots bursary scheme was originally developed to support artists from, or creating work in, Waterford during the Covid-19 lockdowns of 2022/2021.
The winning artists each received a €1,000 bursary to support them and their practice, as well as being given time inside the Theatre Royal to develop and workshop their work with the support of the technical team, once restrictions eased.