A major new collaboration that will see NUI, Galway assist Druid’s next major production, and Druid develop workshops and seminars for the university, was launched this week.
The announcement was made on Monday and will see NUIG contribute to the development of Druid’s next major theatre event in 2012/13. Druid will develop a range of practice-led workshops and seminars for the university, including a series of master classes for BA and MA students.
A Druid director-in-residence will also be appointed who will co-ordinate the joint master classes and workshops, and offer classes and mentoring in various aspects of directing and stagecraft, to NUIG students.
These contributions are being made to enhance the university’s MA in drama and theatre Studies and BA connect in theatre and performance courses.
“We are very excited by this new and innovative partnership with Druid, which, I believe, holds wonderful opportunities for both organisations,” said NUIG President James Browne. “For the university it represents a new creative thrust for our academic programmes in theatre and drama. In turn we are able to play a role in Druid’s ability to continue to present first class theatre for stages both here in Ireland and abroad.”
Druid’s Garry Hynes said the university helped launch Druid in 1975 and that is has “continued to help us informally” through the years.
She said the new partnership was “exciting” and she added: “I, informally, took my first steps in the theatre in NUIG. I am now, through this programme looking forward to helping the emergence of the next generation of theatre makers from my alma mater
