Two of Galway city’s famous theatre companies have joined forces to provide work experience opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Third-year Performing Arts School students from the Blue Teapot Theatre Company are being selected by the internationally renowned Druid Theatre Company to gain valuable work experience at the Town Hall Theatre, and Druid’s own Mick Lally Theatre.
Funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through Pobal’s WorkAbility Programme, the project aims to prepare students for working within the arts sector, and interfacing with a wide cross section of audiences. Each student will be fully supported by Blue Teapot staff during their placements.
Blue Teapot director Jane Parsons is inviting other arts organisations in Galway to partner with the WorkAbility programme which provides career progression routes for actors and students
“By having a partnership with Druid, a company of such prestige and national importance, we can provide meaningful work experience and opportunities for our students,” she said.
Druid’s executive director, Anneliese Davidsen, remarked that Druid has been providing cultural employment opportunities for people in the West of Ireland since 1975.
“This year, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are delighted to support Blue Teapot’s WorkAbility programme and to host an Accessibility Day at The Mick Lally Theatre, facilitating meaningful workplace experiences and important conversations about accessibility and the creation of both employment and engagement opportunities in Irish theatre,” she said.
The Accessibility Day in The Mick Lally Theatre provides students with an opportunity to meet the Druid team and discuss first-hand the barriers they face to working in or attending a show at the theatre.
