Artist collective Theatre57 is open for membership for the month of August. The collective accepts new and old members who identify as performers, producers, directors, designers, technicians, playwrights, and anyone pursuing a career in professional theatre outside of a regularly funded organisation. Members must be making theatre in Galway city or county.
Theatre57’s main aim is the establishment of a creative hub for theatre-makers where creative and professional development can be nurtured. It points to the deficit of such a space in Galway compared with Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Belfast, and Dublin. The establishment of a theatre hub will facilitate the sharing of knowledge and the fostering of professional and creative excellence that will lead to a stronger and more diverse theatre community in Galway. Theatre57 believes in creative autonomy, the spirit of cooperation, and the power of community. The collective ascribes to the philosophy: Ní neart go cur le chéile: there is strength in numbers, there is strength in community, and it is through this that real, positive change can come about.
The collective has had a spirited and busy year acting as a point of contact and advocate for the independent Galway theatre community. Theatre57 has continually pushed for progress on the Galway City Council arts grants, kept members informed of changes to Arts Council grants and publications, shared resources and updates on funding calls and emergency payments, circulated surveys carried out by resource organisations, and shared details of industry meetings held by Theatre Forum, NCFA, and ITI.
More recently, Theatre57 liaised with the Arts Council on a funding clinic for bursaries, launched its pilot member directory - a shop window for local theatre artists - and ran a series for members called Stay Punched!, described as a love-song to theatre, curated by Emma O’Grady.
The collective has also announced a partnership with Galway Arts Centre / Nun’s Island Theatre via a series of residencies between now and December 2020, and continues to liaise with other local venues to discuss ways in which they might offer space to local artists.
Membership to Theatre57 costs €20 for one year via online payments only. Member fees are the only source of income for the collective which is run entirely on a voluntary basis. See www.theatrefiftyseven.com for more information. Membership window closes on August 30.
