CIT Teaching & Learning Unit

Lead Department

Music and Performing Arts, MTU Cork School of Music

Coordinated by

David Hayes (David.Hayes@mtu.ie)

Active Members

15 - 20

Purpose

The Workshopping for Theatre Production Learning Community focuses on theatre production workshops, enabling students to gain real-world experience in musical theatre development. By collaborating with industry professionals—including composers, directors, and sound designers—students enhance their understanding of the creative process from initial script development to final stage adaptation. The community also explores new avenues for student engagement with live performance projects, with potential plans to establish an industry-facing theatre company.

Summary of Activities

Learning Community Activities 2023-24

• The Learning Community engaged in three significant industry projects
  • The People’s Republic of Pozrk
    • A comedic musical theatre workshop led by an industry writer, director, and composer.
    • Supported in-kind by The Everyman Palace Theatre and the Theatre Institute of Ireland.
    • Approximately 20 MTU students participated in an intensive long-weekend workshop (Thurs-Sun) in MTU rehearsal spaces.
• The Boy with the Green Hair
  • 7Directed by Mick Gordon (Lecturer in Creative Writing, QUB) and Paul Higgs (renowned arranger).
  • Collaboration with National Theatre UK alumni and Jody Trehy, sound designer and composer.
  • A week-long workshop post-exams in May, marking the fifth iteration of this project.
  • The final development session will take place at The Gate Theatre in Dublin in August, involving 15 students, industry professionals, and West End performer Chris Holland
• 800 Voices
  • A powerful adaptation project based on the true story of Danny Ellis, a survivor of the Artane Industrial School.
  • Several weeknight workshops in Semester 2, primarily engaging male-identifying students.
  • 12 students and three staff members worked on exploring stage adaptations of Ellis’ music album.

Learning Community Staff Impact 2023-24

• Expected impact: Between 1-5 staff members directly engaged.

Learning Community Student Impact 2023-24

• Expected impact: Between 1-25 students participating in various projects.

Learning Community Outputs 2023-24

• Three major theatre workshop projects with direct industry involvement.
• Strengthened relationships between MTU students and professionals in theatre and musical theatre.
• Enhanced student experience in workshopping, performance, and adaptation for stage.

Learning Community Update 2024-25

• The Learning Community aims to continue building on previous workshopping initiatives.
• There is potential to formally establish an industry-facing theatre company, creating more professional opportunities for students.
• Increased visibility and outreach to attract further industry collaborations.