Bright Sparks is a new youth theatre programme funded by Creative Ireland and Leitrim County Council. The programme caters to a broad spectrum of young people aged 10—17 years who wish to participate in youth theatre. The programme is delivered at a more relaxed pace suited to each individual's needs — young neurodiverse people, or those who find the school system tough, who have an interest in theatre or performance and a flair for creativity.
"When I was 16, I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (...) I was recommended the Bright Sparks programme and it was honestly one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I am now in my third year studying Costume Design for film and theatre in IADT. It was truly a life-changing opportunity for me." Eimear McLoughlin, previous member
Co-designed Workshops
We work with highly-skilled facilitators to design workshops in collaboration with members catering for the diverse abilities and interests in each group. The project uses different facilitation methodologies and offers a flexible structure to ensure different learning styles are catered for. We promote active participation, facilitating brainstorming and group discussions, and allowing for a range of roles to suit all abilities and talents. We aim to create a safe environment where each participant feels comfortable and valued, and where everyone is afforded the opportunity to participate based on their individual strengths.
Celebrating achievements
We acknowledge individual and collective achievement, and look for opportunities to celebrate them. In order that members have the greatest capacity to discover their areas of interest, in addition to theatre, the programme will foster design and technical skills, as well as looking to film, creative writing, and other forms of creative expression. Outputs will be decided by each group, which may be on stage, film, or in a book. Each individual will be encouraged to find their way to shine.
For full details and to apply for a place, visit leitrimyoutharts.com