CSYT 2008

County Sligo Youth Theatre now operates as an independent company.  Sligo Local Authorities allocated increased funding to secure a full-time Director for the development of the organisation –Jean Marie Perinetti was appointed in mid 2008. A key area of focus of engaging a director is to expand the Youth Theatre beyond Sligo Town by establishing branches around the county. The Youth Theatre presented a very successful production of At the Black Pigs Dyke at The Factory Performance Space in March by both the junio

r and senior members combined. Performance directed by Niall Cleary. Their newly renovated space ‘The Fridge’ is located on the grounds of the Factory Performance Space where workshops take place every weekend. Significantly, Sligo Youth Theatre collaborated in the Omagh Sligo Joint Cultural Events Project 2007-2008 during which time it assisted Omagh District Council in the establishment of Omagh Youth Theatre.

CSYT 2007

Rehearsals for “The Crucible” got underway in early January with Galway-based director Niall Cleary and the production team consisted of both professionals as well as ex-youth theatre members who acted as lighting technicians and general prop and costume. The production was a great success and received praise from all who went to see it, both for its excellent performances and production values.

A series of weekend workshops during June culminated in a week long intensive summer school in early July, when Omagh Youth Theatre welcomed a group of young people from County Sligo Youth Theatre to their new space in the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh. Together they spent the week preparing a lively and colourful show for Strule Arts Centre that incorporated masks, live music, and puppets. The performance was staged in Sligo during November.

CSYT 2006

County Sligo Youth Theatre presented two of their own productions Macbeth in February and a summer performance of Gruesome Tales as well as taking part in other community, regional and cross-border initiatives. The members also worked on their own initiative in producing Never Trust A Vixen, written by member Jack Kavanagh. Workshops took place in their theatre space throughout the year with professional practitioners from a wide variety of performance backgrounds including vocal and physical skills, special effects, circus, improvisation, film, dance, movement, street theatre etc.

CSYT 2005

In 2005, County Sligo Youth Theatre members visited both the Galway and Mayo Youth Theatres which developed links and friendships between the groups, sharing ideas as well as working together on group presentations. CSYT were especially proud to host “Our Stories / Their Stories” in schools and theatre venues as well as a re-run later in the year. Members of the youth theatre worked together with the Sligo Active Age Group, and directed by members of the Blue Raincoat Theatre Company performed in the summer Cairde Festival in the Factory Performance Space. Ongoing workshops continued with professional practitioners from a wide variety of performance backgrounds, and the Open Day in September resulted in an intake of new members in both the junior and senior youth theatre groups.

CSYT 2004

Ongoing opportunities for young people to participate in quality arts programmes through County Sligo Youth Theatre was extended to include 12-14 year olds. In 2004, CSYT were informed of their successful application to Peace II for capital funding to carry out refurbishment on their space. The Youth Theatre presented a number of their own productions as well as taking part in other community initiatives. In 2004 CSYT presented two main productions including ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in February 04 at the Youth Theatre Space – directed by past members of the Youth Theatre - and ‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allen Poe in July 04 in The Factory Performance Space – which included film training. Members also had the opportunity to perform at Markree Castle as part of their Arts Programme. In April some members participated in a youth encounter in Germany. Members also participated in the St Patrick’s Day Festival, in Sligo Day of Welcomes, as part of the Blue Raincoat Theatre Company’s Summer Festival, Cairde, and in a Regional Youth Theatre Encounter in Sligo.

CSYT 2003

The organisation for the youth of the county aged between 12 and 21 has developed considerably in recent times and now has its own office and employs a Leader in the Factory Performance Space. In November the group presented a repeat performance of one of their highly successful productions East of the Sun, West of the Moon. This production was staged in the Hawks Well Theatre in November, mainly during the day for school groups.

CSYT 2002

County Sligo Youth Theatre by this stage in its fifth year and has endeavored since its inception, to provide high quality experience of theatre and the performing arts as well as give young people opportunities for development of interpersonal and leadership skills, confidence and self-esteem. In 2002 County Sligo Youth Theatre presented two successful productions The Woman in White, January 23-27, Factory Performance Space and East of the Sun and West of the Moon, August 25-30, Hawk’s Well Theatre.
The Youth Theatre was also nominated for several awards for their entry in the Mid and North West Radio One Act Plays Festival. A member (Helen Cooney) won the award for best dramatic performance in her role of Joan of Arc. Other highlights included film work, vignettes at The Model Arts Sunday lunch-time Specials and stilt performances during various street festivals including Sligo Festival, St Patrick’s Day (award for best youth act) and The Model Arts Christmas Pageant.

CSYT 2001

In August 2001, a new board of directors and a dedicated Youth Theatre Leader/Administrator was appointed. In January 2001, County Sligo Youth Theatre presented Iph , a modern reinterpretation by Colin Teevan of Euripides’ Iphigeneia in Aulis, Iph is directed by David Grant. The performance was held in The Factory Performance Space.
“To me County Sligo Youth Theatre is the only place on a Saturday where I can go and be completely happy and relaxed. I look forward to it every week, it is where I can learn and take part in something that I enjoy, without any stresses or strains. Being able to share my ideas with others has built my confidence, as now I am more open with people I talk to, not being afraid to take part. Being able to have a say in what goes on behind the scenes in productions was something I had an interest in before joining the Youth Theatre, and now I am having the chance to pursue this interest.” Youth theatre member 2001/2002

CSYT 2000

For three nights in January 2000, County Sligo Youth Theatre presented “The Visit” by Friedrich Durrenmatt, at the Hawk’s Well Theatre. Adapted and directed by Pete Mullineaux, The Visit was an entertaining and realistic play with a strong message relevant to today’s world. The cast and production team received all-round praise for the quality of the production. Weekly work-shops continued again, and a second small-scale production of Synge’s The Shadow of the Glen was staged in the Factory Performance Space on Saturday 29th April. All production and PR work was undertaken by the youth members, under the direction of the leader/co-ordinator.
This County Sligo Youth Theatre arts pilot project was extended into 2001 to allow the Interim Board, in consultation with a youth theatre consultant, to formulate a three-year plan which will aim to establish County Sligo Youth Theatre as an independent body with a dedicated leader/administrator.

CSYT 2000

In April 1999 County Sligo Youth Theatre presented its first production – Broken Plastic Chairs, an original drama devised by Irma Grothuis specifically for CSYT - at the Hawk’s Well Theatre. This first production for the youth theatre was very successful, playing to well attended houses from Thursday 15th to Saturday 17th April. The experience gained by members on, off and back-stage a professional theatre venue was a great boost to their developing appreciation and understanding of theatre. The stage is set for the next production by CSYT at the Hawk’s Well in January 2000.

CSYT 1999

The emphasis in 1998 was on exploring a variety of theatre styles through improvisation with facilitators from Galway Youth Theatre and members of the Sligo-based Blue Raincoat Theatre Company. With the first production planned to take place in the Hawks Well in April 1999, workshops towards the end of 1998 invited suggestions from the members as to the content of a script being written specifically for County Sligo Youth Theatre. The focus was then on rehearsals for this performance as well as exploring the various aspects of theatre necessary to stage this production.

County Sligo Youth Theatre
The Fridge, Factory Performance Space
Lower Quay Street, Sligo

T: 071 9138489
E:sligoyt@gmail.com