Theatre Works Fest
World-class training. In the heart of Northern Ireland
Theatre Works Fest is Amadan Ensemble’s annual professional training and artist development festival. Created in response to the lack of regular professional training opportunities available to artists in Northern Ireland, the festival brings together internationally renowned practitioners, local artists and theatre-makers for an intensive programme of workshops, masterclasses, mentoring and new-work development.
Since launching in 2024, Theatre Works Fest has welcomed 379 participants and audience members, creating opportunities for artists to train, experiment, meet other practitioners and develop their own work here in Northern Ireland.
International Masterclass
Each year we invite a leading international theatre practitioner to Northern Ireland to lead an intensive three day masterclass. Previous Theatre Works Fest and Amadan masterclasses have been led by practitioners including Jos Houben, David Glass and Complicité Associate Joyce Henderson, with artists travelling from across Ireland, the UK, Europe, Canada and the USA to take part.
These masterclasses give Northern Irish artists the opportunity to encounter different methodologies, challenge their existing practice and access a level of specialist training that would often require significant travel and expense. Each year we also offer heavily discounted places to a select number of low income attendees.
MANIFEST
MANIFEST is about giving artists the time and space to make. Our free four-day residency supports artists developing new performance work. Participants are given rehearsal space, mentoring and an opportunity to experiment with ideas without the pressure of arriving with a finished piece.
Since 2023, MANIFEST has supported 41 artists and 28 pieces of new work. The programme supports up to six projects at a time and culminates in an opportunity for artists to share their work with an audience and explore how feedback can contribute to its continued development.
Theatre Makers Toolkit
Not all expertise needs to come from outside Northern Ireland.
Through our shorter workshops, Theatre Works Fest creates opportunities for local and regional practitioners to share their knowledge and working practices with other artists.
Workshop subjects are shaped by feedback from participants, allowing the programme to respond to what artists tell us they actually need. These sessions are kept affordable and provide practical opportunities to explore new disciplines, techniques and approaches to performance.
