Facilitated by Gavin Kostick, the evening and weekend courses provide new writers with the confidence, skills and stimulus required to write successfully for theatre.
Fishamble: The New Play Company is dedicated to supporting new and developing writers from the very beginning of their literary careers. Over the last 10 years, Fishamble has run over 50 playwriting courses for over 700 developing playwrights from Ireland and overseas. So far over 300 new plays have been written through these courses, with over 80 plays by writers who attended the courses going on to full production.
Tiny Plays for Ireland, 2012 and 2013 and published by New Island Press, contained many works by writers who had taken part in the courses. Fishamble’s production of Whereabouts, a series of site-specific short plays, was awarded the Special Judges’ Award for creativity and innovation at the The Irish Times Theatre Awards 2006. Six of the eleven plays produced in the series were by writers who have participated in Fishamble’s playwriting courses.
Tiny Plays for Ireland, 2012 and 2013 and published by New Island Press, contained many works by writers who had taken part in the courses. Fishamble’s production of Whereabouts, a series of site-specific short plays, was awarded the Special Judges’ Award for creativity and innovation at the The Irish Times Theatre Awards 2006. Six of the eleven plays produced in the series were by writers who have participated in Fishamble’s playwriting courses.
About the Courses
Depending on Covid-19 Restrictions in 2021, our courses may take place in person or online. For each course, we have successfully trialed online versions in 2020, and have adjusted the courses accordingly in the case of them being online. For more details on how each course will be delivered, please click into the individual course booking links.
The maximum number of participants is 12 in each course.
Please note that the courses tend to book out 3-4 months in advance, so please book early to avoid disappointment!
Evening Course Content
Each course participant is immersed in a range of ideas and exercises designed to develop useful skills in writing for live performance. These include: Openings, The Playwright’s Imagination, Plotting, Alternative Structures, Characterisation, the Rhythms of Language and Dialogue. Each course member is encouraged to develop their own idea through the course into a finished draft. As well as developing playwriting skills the course aims to broaden conceptions of what is achievable in live performance and encourage practical considerations of successful staging.
Weekend Course Content
The weekend course is aimed at learning all about playwriting by doing. Over the weekend, through examples, discussion, writing and feedback each participant will take part in a varied set of creative playwriting exercises which are satisfying in themselves and provide a stimulating portfolio for future work. The weekend course has a positive and supportive atmosphere to encourage participants to discover new ideas and deliver work to the best of their ability.
The maximum number of participants is 12 in each course.
Please note that the courses tend to book out 3-4 months in advance, so please book early to avoid disappointment!
Evening Course Content
Each course participant is immersed in a range of ideas and exercises designed to develop useful skills in writing for live performance. These include: Openings, The Playwright’s Imagination, Plotting, Alternative Structures, Characterisation, the Rhythms of Language and Dialogue. Each course member is encouraged to develop their own idea through the course into a finished draft. As well as developing playwriting skills the course aims to broaden conceptions of what is achievable in live performance and encourage practical considerations of successful staging.
Weekend Course Content
The weekend course is aimed at learning all about playwriting by doing. Over the weekend, through examples, discussion, writing and feedback each participant will take part in a varied set of creative playwriting exercises which are satisfying in themselves and provide a stimulating portfolio for future work. The weekend course has a positive and supportive atmosphere to encourage participants to discover new ideas and deliver work to the best of their ability.
I found this course was not a ‘how to’ course like many others. Instead, it opened up the area of possibility in playwriting – made me think, see different ways to the completed work. Most usefully, it reawakened an understanding of rhythm and metre which has had a direct effect on my writing. It also got me writing poems and short stories, which has helped improve my management of playwriting. Well worth it! |
Fishamble’s playwriting courses have made an amazing contribution to the development of the many companies and artists who have presented new work at the Dublin Fringe Festival. |
May Bank Holiday Playwriting Course 2021
€70.00 - €200.00
Sat 1 - Mon 3 May
From 10am - 5pm, for 3 days.
€200/ €70 deposit required to secure place
We would require that the balance is paid by Monday 12 April
Covid-19 restrictions notice:
If meeting in person in possible, this course will take place in the Fishamble Offices at 3 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, D01 NV63 from 10am - 5pm from Sat 23 - Mon 25 Oct.
If meeting in person is not possible, this course will be delivered online via Zoom with an extra half day on Sun 25 Apr. This introductory session is to get used to the format and set people up for the weekend ahead. Each day of the weekend will end at 4pm, as the Zoom format is slightly more concentrated. In order to make the most of the format, the Weekend Course will include extra shared written and visual materials, and an extra guest playwright and director interview as part of the course. We are confident of the quality of the course to be delivered in this manner.
The weekend course is aimed at learning all about playwriting by doing. Over the weekend, through examples, discussion, writing and feedback each participant will take part in a varied set of creative playwriting exercises which are satisfying in themselves and provide a stimulating portfolio for future work. The weekend course has a positive and supportive atmosphere to encourage participants to discover new ideas and deliver work to the best of their ability. The course includes a free trip to the theatre on the Saturday night.
If you have any special requirements in accessing the course, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing Ronan at ronan@fishamble.com.
October Bank Holiday Playwriting Course 2021
€70.00 - €200.00
Sat 23 – Mon 25 Oct
From 10am - 5pm, for 3 days.
€300/ €100 deposit required to secure place
We would require that the balance is paid by Monday 19 September.
Covid-19 restrictions notice:
If meeting in person in possible, this course will take place in the Fishamble Offices at 3 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, D01 NV63 from 10am - 5pm from Sat 23 - Mon 25 Oct.
If meeting in person is not possible, this course will be delivered online via Zoom with an extra half day on Sat 16 Oct. This introductory session is to get used to the format and set people up for the weekend ahead. Each day of the weekend will end at 4pm, as the Zoom format is slightly more concentrated. In order to make the most of the format, the Weekend Course will include extra shared written and visual materials, and an extra guest playwright and director interview as part of the course. We are confident of the quality of the course to be delivered in this manner.
The weekend course is aimed at learning all about playwriting by doing. Over the weekend, through examples, discussion, writing and feedback each participant will take part in a varied set of creative playwriting exercises which are satisfying in themselves and provide a stimulating portfolio for future work. The weekend course has a positive and supportive atmosphere to encourage participants to discover new ideas and deliver work to the best of their ability. The course includes a free trip to the theatre on the Saturday night.
If you have any special requirements in accessing the course, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing Ronan at ronan@fishamble.com.
Spring/Summer 9 Week Playwriting Course 2021
€100.00 - €300.00
Thurs 15 Apr- Thurs 10 Jun
Every Thursday evening from 7-10pm for 9 weeks.
€300/ €100 deposit required to secure place
We would require that the balance is paid by Monday 15 March.
Covid-19 restrictions notice:
If meeting in person in possible, this course will take place in the Fishamble Offices at 3 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, D01 NV63
If meeting in person is not possible, this course will be delivered online via Zoom from 7-9pm. In order to make the most of the format, the Evening Course will include extra shared written and visual materials, and an extra guest playwright and director interview as part of the course. We are confident of the quality of the course to be delivered in this manner.
Each course participant is immersed in a range of ideas and exercises designed to develop useful skills in writing for live performance. These include: Openings, The Playwright’s Imagination, Plotting, Alternative Structures, Characterisation, the Rhythms of Language and Dialogue. Each course member is encouraged to develop their own idea through the course into a finished draft. As well as developing playwriting skills the course aims to broaden conceptions of what is achievable in live performance and encourage practical considerations of successful staging.
If you have any special requirements in accessing the course, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing Ronan at ronan@fishamble.com.
Autumn/Winter 9 Week Playwriting Course 2021
€100.00 - €300.00
Thurs 7 Oct – Thurs 2 Dec
Every Thursday evening from 7-10pm for 9 weeks.
€300/ €100 deposit required to secure place
We would require that the balance is paid by Monday 20 September.
Covid-19 restrictions notice:
If meeting in person in possible, this course will take place in the Fishamble Offices at 3 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, D01 NV63
If meeting in person is not possible, this course will be delivered online via Zoom from 7-9pm. In order to make the most of the format, the Evening Course will include extra shared written and visual materials, and an extra guest playwright and director interview as part of the course. We are confident of the quality of the course to be delivered in this manner.
Each course participant is immersed in a range of ideas and exercises designed to develop useful skills in writing for live performance. These include: Openings, The Playwright’s Imagination, Plotting, Alternative Structures, Characterisation, the Rhythms of Language and Dialogue. Each course member is encouraged to develop their own idea through the course into a finished draft. As well as developing playwriting skills the course aims to broaden conceptions of what is achievable in live performance and encourage practical considerations of successful staging.
If you have any special requirements in accessing the course, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing Ronan at ronan@fishamble.com.
To enrol, choose an available course above, and either pay a deposit or the full amount to secure your place. There are no requirements for participating in this course.
Alternative Payment Methods
All courses are held in Fishamble office at 3 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, or online via zoom.
For further information on Fishamble’s playwriting courses contact Gavin on 01 670 4018 or email gavin@fishamble.com.
Please note that no places will be held without a deposit.
Alternative Payment Methods
- If you would like to make a payment by bank transfer, let us know in your email and we will send you our details. PLEASE USE YOUR FULL NAME AS THE REFERENCE WHEN MAKING A TRANSFER.
- To pay by cheque, please make your cheque out to Fishamble Theatre Company, address 3 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1.
All courses are held in Fishamble office at 3 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, or online via zoom.
For further information on Fishamble’s playwriting courses contact Gavin on 01 670 4018 or email gavin@fishamble.com.
Please note that no places will be held without a deposit.
