Artistic Development
A look at what happens here at Theatre Royal Waterford to support artists in the development and presentation of new work
Artists-in-Residence: Shakespeare Squared Collective
Theatre Royal is proud to host Shakespeare Squared Collective as Artists-in-Residence from 2026 to 2028.
Founded in 2022 by Waterford-based theatre-makers Deirdre Dwyer, Joe Meagher and Eimear Cheasty, Shakespeare Squared is a collective of professional actors, directors and creatives committed to creating ambitious, accessible work rooted in place and community. Their work brings together high artistic standards with a strong emphasis on participation, collaboration and local engagement.
This three-year residency represents a significant investment in the development of theatre-making in Waterford and the South East. Working in close partnership with Theatre Royal, the Collective will focus on building a sustainable ensemble of theatre-makers, creating new opportunities for local artists, and strengthening connections between theatre and community.
The residency builds on an already strong relationship, including the 2023 promenade production of Twelfth Night in the Viking Triangle, supported by the Arts Council through a Theatre Project Award.
Over three years, the programme will include:
- Ensemble residencies and artist development opportunities
- Mentorship, masterclasses and skills-building for local practitioners
- New work development and creative collaborations
- Public engagement initiatives, including work with young people and schools
- A programme of performances and city-based activations
This work will unfold over time, supporting artists and audiences alike to engage more deeply with theatre as part of Waterford’s cultural life.
The residency forms part of Theatre Royal’s wider commitment to supporting artists and building a thriving, locally-rooted theatre ecology, enabling artists to live and work in the region while creating meaningful cultural experiences for the public. It is supported by The Arts Council and Waterford City & County Council.
Behind The Scenes
05/05/2026
Calling young musicians!
Jam@TheRoyal live music experience is back on 13th-15th July for young musicians ages 11-14 years.
13/04/2026
Calling young performers!!
Theatre Royal and Curious State Theatre Company are seeking young theatre makers, musicians, singers and performers to take part in ‘The Dreamers’, an exciting outdoor showcase for Cruinniú na...
09/02/2026
Jam@TheRoyal is back
Calling young musicians aged 14-18 years.......
26/01/2026
Gap Day 2026
We were delighted to welcome Waterford theatre maker and actor Niamh Fennessy to Theatre Royal as part of Gap Day 2026, a national initiative funded by the Arts Council of Ireland....
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.
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