The SEEDS Programme is a pioneering development initiative to seek out, enable, encourage, develop and stage the work of a new generation of theatre talent. Since 2002 the SEEDS Programme has introduced a emerging theatre-makers to the professional Irish theatre. Participants have the opportunity to observe and contribute to Rough Magic’s work and to gain exposure to the working methods of international artists through mentoring and placements.

SEEDS’ success.

A remarkable number of graduates of the SEEDS programme have gone on to make a significant contribution to the professional theatre sector. We are delighted that  our Associate Producer Cian O’Brien is the new Artistic Director of Project Arts Centre, while former Associate Director Tom Creed has become Director of Cork Midsummer Festival. Sophie Motley joins Matt Torney as one of our current Associate Directors; both will be remounting Plaza Suite, along with Aoife Spillane-Hinks and Sarah Jane Sheils for its national tour and transfer to the Gaiety theatre. And recent SEEDS graduate Marty Moore turned his placement at the National Theatre in London into a full-time position there, as Deputy Production Manager. Meanwhile ex-Seeds continue to make work with the most dynamic companies around, such as Anu, The Company, Then.This and Wilfredd. These are just some of the successes springing directly from the programme.

THE PROGRAMME

Funded by the Arts Council,  the SEEDS Programme is individually curated to provide the artists with the support they need to develop their craft and advance their careers. Mentoring by established and highly experienced artists lies at the heart of the process, as well as international research trips, an international placement with a leading practitioner and hands-on experience assisting on Rough Magic productions.

The current participants are:

Zia Holly (designer)

Rosemary McKenna (director)

Ronan Phelan (director)

Matthew Smyth (producer)

Hugh Travers (writer)