DkIT and An Táin Arts Centre's new residency: "We get to learn and try so much in a safe environment"

The creative industries are constantly evolving – and navigating a career within that world can be precarious.

That’s why Laura Bowler, Programme Director for BA (Hons) Drama and Performance and BA Theatre and Film Practice at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), and Paul Hayes, Director of An Táin Arts Centre in Dundalk, joined forces, to offer up a creative solution: a brand new residency.

"I know first-hand what it is like to go from the relevant safety of a drama degree to trying to make it in the real world of theatre,” Paul notes. “It’s really hard, and a lot of promising young practitioners give up in their early careers. Through the residency, we hope to provide a working knowledge of professional theatre with mentoring throughout."

Chalk On The Wall – a theatre group made up of graduates from DkIT’s Drama Performance degree – have just celebrated their first full year on the residency programme. This marks the first time in Ireland that such a link has been created between graduates from a higher level institution and an arts centre.

“It was obvious to me that this group of students wanted to continue to make work, and gain more experience in theatre after graduation,” says Laura, “so it was fantastic to find that, when we approached An Táin, they were excited about this as an idea too.

“It’s not an easy transition to make in this industry and having a stepping stone where they could hone skills, be mentored, network and just have space and time to create is invaluable,” she adds.

Yasmin Hanratty, a member of Chalk On The Wall, acknowledges that it can be “scary” graduating from a creative course.

“But with this,” she says of the residency, “we get to learn and try so much in a safe environment.”

Thanks to this unique partnership between DkIT and An Táin, the graduates get to use their studio/theatre space for free – and receive technical and marketing support, a production stipend, and mentoring from both Laura and Paul. They also get to keep 100% of their box office earnings.

Following the success of their latest production, Impact, Chalk On The Wall are kicking off 2025 with a sense of excitement and optimism – grateful for such a unique opportunity, as they continue to develop their skills as performers and creatives.

For more, go to dkit.ie