Things We Do - Dublin Theatre Festival

Dublin Theatre Festival

The festival programme incorporates theatre, music, dance and family events, as well as artist talks, public discussions and artist development programmes, with performances taking place in venues and locations across the city and the greater Dublin area.

View Festival 2026 Programme

A boy in a white ruffled collar and face paint sits alone against a pale, empty background.

Theatre for Children Festival+ Artistic Development Audience Engagement

Theatre for Children

Dublin Theatre Festival and The Ark, a cultural centre for children, collaborate to present a programme of fresh and engaging shows created for children that adults will also delight in.

Three people talking and smiling at an indoor event, with one woman wearing red glasses and a leopard print top.

Festival+

Festival+ is a series of free events, open to the public, comprising interviews with artists and creatives that enrich festivity and public’s experience of the festival.

Artistic Development

Dublin Theatre Festival is committed to the development and support of artists and their work. Through artist development programmes, presenting in development works and engaging with international networks, the festival supports both Irish and international projects aimed at inspiring, cultivating and celebrating emerging and established artists.

In Development

The Next Stage

SLINGSHOT

Submissions

People sitting in a bright room, taking notes during a group meeting or workshop.

Four people sit in a circle, engaged in a focused discussion, holding pens and notebooks.

Audience Engagement

Catapult

Catapult is an exciting new opportunity for 18-25 year olds to attend a range of specially selected shows, free of charge, followed by a post-show discussion with your fellow participants.

Throughout the year, a group of approximately fifteen will have the opportunity to meet up with other young people to see inspiring shows, visit venues throughout Dublin, meet new people and increase your enjoyment of theatre and the arts in general.

Performances will take place in Axis Ballymun, Draíocht, Pavilion Theatre, The Civic and at other venues in Dublin city. Participants will also get access to ticket discounts and invitations to special events.

Applications are currently open

The programme is for those aged 18 to 25 with a curiosity about live performance.

We welcome applications from participants from diverse backgrounds and identities; including, but not limited to: Asian, Black, Traveller, working class, migrant community, people with disabilities, neurodiverse people, and members of the LGBTQIAP+ community.

We are committed to accessibility and ensuring this opportunity is open to all. Please let us know if there are any additional supports required to enable you to participate when filling in the application form.

Participating in the programme will involve travel to the following venues: Axis Ballymun; Draíocht Blanchardstown; Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire; and Civic Theatre, Tallaght; as well as venues in Dublin city centre. A travel allowance to cover public transport fares will be allocated to each participant. Please indicate if you require any travel assistance beyond this.

How to Apply

Fill in this short online form, telling us a little bit about yourself and why you’d like to participate in this programme (max 300 words). Applicants may submit a video introduction instead, either by adding the url in the text question box or by using the file upload option.

If you would like a copy of the application form in an alternative format, please contact your local participating venue or Dublin Theatre Festival admin line on 01 677 8439, or email boxofice@dublintheatrefestival.ie.

Applications will remain open on a rolling basis. We will review applications each month and successful applicants will be contacted when places on the initiative are available.

Talking Theatre