We are already at work planning our 21st and you are all invited: May 6th - 19th 2024.

After a September of great theatre from the Dublin Fringe and Theatre Festivals, we have been building a new Executive committee to capitalise on our record setting 2023 Festival. Thanks to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, their uplifting investment in key strategic areas proved us with decent funding, and the potential for our unique theatrical event was enormously enhanced.

 

As many festivals are still struggling to return to preCovid levels, our box office increased by a staggering 72%, meaning more audiences reached and more resources for our brilliant Irish and International artists. The challenge for our 21st year, is can we match that breathtaking achievement in 2024? The work has begun.
 

The 21st festival will take place from May 6th to 19th 2024. We are now open for submissions from Irish and international theatre companies to stage their productions for a week in Dublin next year. Our submission process is free and easy to do. Check out Festival Submissions - International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival.

 

How do we support LGBT+ inclusive theatre – all your questions are answered in the Criteria document in the above link. Please read it before applying. The Festival loves to present the works of new writers too. Works that have a LGBT+ character, theme or relevance such as feminism, masculinity and identity are our core pillars since we were founded in 2004. We have a great relationship with the Edinburgh Fringe and many international companies and already we have some exciting international applications for next year including from Taiwan and Australia!

 

What about the Irish? With the Dublin Fringe and Theatre Festivals now over for another year, which once again showcased some fine LGBT+ works and with the future of the much regarded ‘Scene and Heard’ festival secured to 2024, it is time for the Irish companies to make their plans for next year. We can help.

 

If you are thinking about doing works relevant to our Festival’s mission, please submit a proposal to us on info@gaytheatre.ie anytime from now until December 1st 2023. Programming decisions will be made by January 31st 2024.
 

New Bursaries

Ed Lynch was a fearless pioneer advocate and archivist of Irish LGBT life. He was a lifetime supporter of the Festival. His recent passing prompts us to create a new drama bursary this year. We will present a cash bursary to an Irish play dealing with any LGBT+ rights issue, historical story or untold/lesser-known personal stories of LGBT+ life in Ireland up to the present.

The Irish are a great laugh and no matter how challenging the times, the greatest and most powerful response from our community has always been laughter. It is high time we had a new Irish LGBT+ comedy. In honour of the passing of comedian Paul O’ Grady (Lily Savage). Son of a County Roscommon father and his Mother’s people were from Louth, a special bursary is named in his honour for a new Irish comedy play to be staged in the 21st Festival.

Have you a play and a company to produce it? We will offer some bursaries to Irish companies wanting to present new or existing works with an Irish or resident cast. Works by Irish or resident writers are welcome with a particular welcome for underrepresented voices in our very diverse community.

Criteria for Bursaries
  1. Bursaries will be assessed by an independent, international panel of theatre professionals.
  2. All submissions must be in English or Irish no later than November 30th 2023 and marked “Bursary”.
  3. 3. All Bursary winners must be able to stage a full production of the winning play during our 21st Festival in May.
  4. All Bursary applications must fill out a Festival submission form (see above) as confirmation of an ability and willingness to participate in the 21st Festival if selected. Unsuccessful applicants may still be offered a place in the Festival 2024 programme.
  5. No Bursary will exceed ONE Thousand Euros. Up to six bursaries may be awarded.
  6. Plays of any length up to 75 minutes maximum will be considered.
  7. Open to Irish or resident playwrights and production companies only.
  8. In all matters the decision of the Artistic Director is final.

Want to Sponsor a Bursary for our 21st?

The Festival would welcome anyone or company to sponsor a specific bursary or to create a new one. Please contact us at info@gaytheatre.ie to discuss. All funds go directly to supporting Irish artists creating and presenting LGBT+ works for the stage.
 

Fancy a great Christmas sing-song amongst friends and chosen family? For over 20 years a dedicated group of people have organised an LGBT+ inclusive Carol service in Dublin’s Unitarian Church. Christmas can still be a difficult time for some. This service has had a hallmark of welcome and chosen family.

 

The original organising committee led by Brian Glennon have now stepped away and we could not allow this to pass. The Festival has stepped in to continue their legacy of welcome and inclusion at this important time of year. The renowned Dublin Gay Men’s Chorus will have the rafters humming to well-known Christmas Carols, while MC Eimhear O’Dalaigh will lead a series of Christmas stories, reflections, readings and activities to ensure we can all remember those who make Christmases past and present, in the fellowship of our current diverse community. Our Guest speaker is broadcaster and celebrant Conor Clear.

 

There will be mulled wine, mince pies, and another great welcome for everyone! The collection will be in aid of Parkinson’s Disease which is a cause close to Founder, Brian Glennon’s heart. There may even be a gift or two for you under our Christmas tree! All are very welcome, no tickets, free admission and don’t forget to ‘sing out loud, sing out strong!’ It will be great to see you – bring many friends.

 

As has been clearly stated, both long-standing Festival Directors, Brian Merriman and Gareth Hurley are anxious to pass on the torch! We have been joined by new enthusiastic professionals willing to donate their time to enabling Dublin remain the international capital of LGBT+ inclusive theatre.

 

We still need help on organisation, finance, PR, and fundraising. If you would like to join us at Executive level, please email us at info@gaytheatre.ie.

As Part of the volunteer experience of the Gay Theatre Festival, we like to upskill our volunteers as a thank you for their generosity.

 

This Autumn, our technical Directors who get each play onto our stages RC Bates and Derek O’Neill are running a sound and light training course – free for interested volunteers. Contact tech@gaytheatre.ie to book a space.

Don’t forget as you begin to draw up your gift lists, that the Festival has a range of books and theatre ticket vouchers available online. Check out www.gaytheatre.ie.
 

To celebrate year 21, the Festival would love to organise an exhibition of ‘gay’ theatre past and present to celebrate our LGBTQ+ artists. Are you interested in helping create this free event. All expertise and venues welcome!

 

The International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival is supported by the Dept. of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

© 2023 International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival
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