This, our 7th Young Playwright project, brought together thirteen writers (ages 14-18) who worked over 2 months to create their own solo theatre pieces to premiere at the Lyric's Naughton Studio as part of Young at Art 's Belfast Children’s Festival.
These young playwrights' ideas were all amazing - whether they were about maps, cows, hockey, humour, trans rights, surviving bombs, game shows, zombies, lost balloons, peacebuilding, or pocket watches that don't work. No idea went unexplored, and that hard work and openness really payed off in the final products.
Here are some behind the scenes photos of the creative process!
Over 100 people showed up to watch the performance: our audience included Fighting Words NI staff and board members, some of our funders, and our participants family and friends.
Everyone was blown away by not only the creativity, talent, and hard work on display, but also the confidence and maturity exhibited by our participants. They should all be incredibly proud of themselves; we know we sure are!
Watch it here:
Stand Up, For Myself by Gethin Shuttleworth
Sheep by Áine Brown
Pretend I'm a Pineapple by Céide Donnelly
The Nothing Becomes Us by Michael Doran
Affairs & Rebounds by Daniel Fay
Into Battle
The Same Recipe by Eve Patterson-Byrne
Brave Young Cowboy by "The Best Dang Banjo Player in the Wild West" Morrice
Helioseismology
The Thief by Kalum Vann
In Place of Fear
The Birthday by Mohamed Nayel Altayeb
Curse My Helium by Eilah Hill
Well done as well to our facilitators who ensured that the participants had what they needed to bring their best selves to the stage: Fionnuala Kennedy (director), Amanda Ní Dhochartaigh & Dan Leith (writer-performers) and Emily DeDakis and Karis Kelly (writer-dramaturgs).
Thank you to Belfast City Council, Backstage Trust, Hope for Youth NI, and Lyric Belfast for making Megaphone possible.
