SEEDS

In 2001, Rough Magic launched SEEDS as a pioneering initiative bridging third-level training and professional practice. To date it has supported 58 emerging theatre artists, with the vast majority of these going on to establish themselves as theatre professionals.

Collaboration is the essential element of theatre making, and theatre companies are a clear embodiment of this. There is currently a lack of support for early-career theatre collectives, and Rough Magic is setting out to respond to this gap in provision.

The programme has evolved over time in response to the needs of the sector, and this year Rough Magic will be evolving SEEDS once more to support emerging theatre collectives. This new version will be piloted throughout 2025 – 2026.

We welcome submissions from anyone living on the island of Ireland and would like to encourage applications that are representative of Irish theatre artists in all their diversity – particularly from artists who are currently underrepresented on Irish stages.

Who can apply?

– Early-career theatre companies/collectives
– Collaborators who have made work together and are interested in forming a company
(N.B. You don’t need to be currently operating as a company to apply for SEEDS, but applicants do need to have a clear history of collaboration and interest in forming a companies/collectives)

What are we looking for?

– A collective/ensemble/company/group that ideally includes artists in a variety of roles (i.e. director, producer, designers, actors, writers, production manager) although not every group will comprise all of these
– A shared commitment to making work together
– A clarity about the kind of work you want to make, and who this work will speak to
– Curiosity about the Irish theatre sector
– Vision and ambition

What we can offer

– Access to our Dublin City Centre office space and administrative facilities throughout the programme
– The opportunity to develop a new project, including a week-long slot later this year in Project Arts Centre for workshopping and (if applicable) presenting a work-in-progress showing
– Guidance from Rough Magic in planning an achievable production roadmap for their work
– Additional group events including theatre visits, masterclasses, workshop opportunities – structured around the needs of the successful group
– Mentoring from the Rough Magic team in all areas of artistic, strategic and financial planning

Application Procedure
– Please fill in the application form here.
– Closing Date for applications is 5pm, Friday 7 March 2025. Applications received after that time will not be considered.
– Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview the week of 7 April 2025.
– The programme will run from May 2025 to November 2026.

FAQ

What does early career mean?
We are looking for groups/companies/collectives who have been making work together or have been collaborating on projects over a few years. If you consider yourself to be in the early stages of your career, do apply. There are no age restrictions on applicants, but the aim is to offer support to emerging theatre makers.

How many people is a collective?
We’re open to groups of all sizes so long as it is a core part of the group’s ethos that they make work together, as a collective.

So we all have to work on everything?
No, not at all. We understand that groups/companies/collectives are formed by like-minded people who want to make the same kind of work together – but that each project might not necessarily have a role for everyone, or that everyone may not be available at the same time. We also understand that each member of the group may have a separate practice as a freelance artist.

Are there specific roles we have to have as part of the collective?
Not necessarily. All companies fill their needs differently. However, we would encourage someone in the group to identify as a producer or administrator in terms of leading on the management of the process.

Can we apply if we’ve never made work under a company name before?
Yes, absolutely. So long as the majority of the group have a clear history of collaboration together it doesn’t have to have been formalised under one company.

Who is the applicant?
Only one of the group needs to make the application on behalf of your collective/company.

Why do you want to know about work we haven’t yet made?
SEEDS aims to support and encourage your growth as a company/collective. It’s not just about seeing a particular project through, more about supporting your development as a sustainable and productive group.

Does the group all need to be in Dublin?
No. The company should be based in Ireland but there’s no requirement for any individual member of the company to be based in Dublin. However, Rough Magic is based in Dublin at our city centre office, and you may gain more from the programme by being able to drop in and out regularly.

What if one of our members is supported elsewhere?
The funding and supports any one member of the group might have received elsewhere will not make the group ineligible. We want to support the group, as a whole, to grow and flourish.

How will this work?
This is a new iteration of the SEEDS programme so in a way we’ll learn from each other throughout the pilot phase. There will be a degree of exploration as to what the successful company will most benefit from and how we can best respond to its needs.

What if I have more questions?
Email info@roughmagic.ie with any and all questions.

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