training in theatre design
Conway is committed to establishing training for aspiring theatre designers in Ireland since the beginning of his career. He has lectured in Trinity College Dublin, the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Dublin Institute of Technology, The Lir Academy Dublin, the Gaiety School of Acting, Project Arts Centre and Motley Design Course, Covent Garden.
He formed links and partnerships with industry stakeholders and spearheaded the formal partnership between the Institute of Technology Sligo and the Abbey Theatre Dublin. IT Sligo offers the only full time honours degree course specialising in Theatre Design in Ireland.
He formed links and partnerships with industry stakeholders and spearheaded the formal partnership between the Institute of Technology Sligo and the Abbey Theatre Dublin. IT Sligo offers the only full time honours degree course specialising in Theatre Design in Ireland.
Abbey Theatre and IT Sligo launch Yeats Design Residency
‘We must keep young talented theatre makers in Ireland’
Fiach MacConghail: Artistic Director of the Abbey Theatre
![]() The Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s national theatre and the Institute of Technology, Sligo today (Thursday 3 May 2012) mark the launch of an exciting partnership to nurture the talent of young Theatre Design students in the Institute’s Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Performing Arts. Fiach MacConghail, Director of the Abbey Theatre said; ‘The Abbey Theatre’s founders were committed to the importance of design in the national theatre. We are committed to ensuring the healthy future of that tradition by nurturing young theatre makers. This partnership gives young set designers an insight into the professional business of theatre. Many set designers go abroad to hone their craft. We must keep young theatre makers in Ireland by offering them support and opportunities. When I visited IT Sligo, I was struck by the sheer talent on display and the quality of the teaching which is world-class. I’m delighted to announce this partnership today. IT Sligo www.itsligo.ie |
President of IT Sligo, Professor Terri Scott, said; ‘We are delighted to be formalising our association with the Abbey Theatre in this new venture. It’s fitting that two of WB Yeats’s greatest passions – the Abbey Theatre and Sligo – should come together in a partnership that fosters creativity.
Frank Conway, Lecturer on the IT Sligo Performing Arts programme, is a former Head of Design at the Abbey Theatre and was instrumental in the development of the partnership. Speaking at the launch, he said; ‘Training in theatre design is the basis for a wide range of career opportunities in theatre and costume design, film and television production design, commercials, music videos, dance and opera. Many of these skills are currently brought in from abroad. I had to travel abroad many years ago for my own training. It’s a gift to have this course in Sligo, and now to have it so firmly associated with the Abbey Theatre.’ This partnership gives IT Sligo students the chance to gain work experience at the Abbey Theatre during their four year course. This will allow them gain insight into a working theatre, all aspects of theatre production, stage management and lighting and sound. Speaking from London, OBE Award Winning Designer and Director of the internationally acclaimed Motley Theatre Design Course, Aliison Chitty, said; ‘I am aware of the IT Sligo course in theatre design and its core philosophy of design as a way to release the play. I personally know some of the highly experienced tutors and the quality and high standards they invest in the course. I am delighted to see its development and totally endorse it, and the development of this historic relationship with Ireland’s national theatre.’ The BA (Hons) in Performing Arts at IT Sligo is the only full-time, degree programme which specialises in theatre design in Ireland. It has been running since 2006. |