Paid training opportunity in collaborative arts for experienced theatre artists

Invitation for expressions of interest

Sightless Cinema is a collaborative audio theatre project by theatre-maker Ciarán Taylor with people with sight loss. It has been running since 2014 in co-operation with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. Ciarán works with the group members over an extended period to devise, record and perform audio plays for surround sound presentation in cinemas and theatres. 

The project has recently been expanding, and will be running in three venues in 2023. We are seeking experienced theatre artists to train in the methodology of Sightless Cinema, and to be part of the creation of a new Arts Council and local arts offices supported initiative to create a joint touring Sightless Cinema performance across counties Meath, Laois and South Dublin. We also hope to offer continuing opportunities for trained artists into the future.

We’d like to hear from devisers, theatre makers, writers, sound designers, radio/audio drama makers, collaborative theatre artists and/or facilitators. We are looking for at least two experienced artists to attend devising workshops with the aim of learning the tailored processes of Sightless Cinema. Ideally, the artists will then take on a short creative project with one or more of the three Sightless Cinema groups who meet in Port Laoise, Navan and Tallaght. For the creation of new work, you may collaborate with Ciarán Taylor or other artists or facilitators depending on your skills/background.

Workshops will run 10:30-1pm (Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays) from the end of February to June, and September to October; artists will be asked to attend at least one workshop per week. A final production made up of a selection of short recorded audio plays, and a live audio production will be presented in Dunamaise Arts Centre, Solstice Arts Centre, and Civic Tallaght during November 2023.

Depending on your availability between Feb-Nov 2023 we can tailor the time commitment, but ideally you would be able to follow the whole process, and be attached primarily to one of the groups. Fees offered are €120 per workshop attendance (including any preparation and debriefing) for up to 20 workshops, and further fees for the creation/writing/rehearsal/recording/directing of productions to be negotiated depending on the time commitment. Artists will also be asked to be involved in evaluation of the project. The venues are well connected by public transport, and some travel costs will be provided as necessary.

If you are interested, please get in touch with a CV and a couple of paragraphs on your theatre background, why you’d be interested in the opportunity, and your availability. We’ll get in touch if we need more details or to discuss how you might get involved. You don’t have to be based in the participating counties but applications are welcomed from those local to the venues.

Please send expression of interest and CV to Ciarán Taylor: whitecaneaudiotheatre@gmail.com 

We hope to recruit the artists in February so please get in touch as soon as possible, before 19 Feb 2023.

Funded by the Arts Council with South Dublin County Council, Meath County Arts Office, Laois County Arts Office. Supported by Solstice Arts Centre, Dunamaise Arts Centre and The Civic, Tallaght with the National Council of the Blind of Ireland and Contact Studio.

Posted on 29 Jan 2023.