Young Dramatic Arts Theatre Company 

Young Dramatic Arts Theatre Company is the high quality Theatre Company established by ITW some 20 years ago to identify talented young actors, directors and technicians and give them the opportunity to develop their skills. Membership is open to young people from 15-18 years of age. Each Thursday evening there are acting workshops and rehearsals at ITW Studios, Clonskeagh.

Young Dramatic Arts is open to all young people (you do not have to be an ITW student to join us). However, a high level of commitment is required. The members are expected to be fully involved in every aspect of the process from choosing the plays to be produced, to operating and designing the lighting and sound, creating the sets and props, and working on stage and behind the scenes. 

We firmly support Irish theatre, Irish theatre makers and the Irish Youth Theatre Sector, and work is ongoing to align with Youth Theatre Ireland.

The first part of the year from September to November is spent taking part in a Shakespeare Production and includes a number of diverse workshops alongside the rehearsals from week to week. We believe in an education in all the different aspects of theatre making and therefore have workshops in areas such as set-design, lighting and sound, costume design as well as various acting technique workshops. We also welcome industry professionals in areas such as film, stage combat, accents, comedy etc. 

From then we start work on our National Theatre Connections Festival Play – a new play every year, premiered in a Dublin Theatre in February/March and then in April at The Lyric Theatre, Belfast.  We have been participating in the National Theatre Connections Festival for 20 years and it is a highlight of our year. Our Connections Festival 2021 entry (“Find a Partner” by Miriam Battye) was rehearsed and recorded fully online and we are grateful to the Connections Festival Committee for their encouragement and support. 

Young Dramatic Arts Theatre Company is a fantastic training ground for young actors; many of our alumni have gone on to have successful careers as actors and playwrights!