Play School

Our Play School offers specialist artist training, connection, community, and mentoring. We run projects throughout the year.

Play School Summer 2024

HAP School: 24th - 28th June at Crescent Arts Centre

Incubate Intensive Maker’s Week: 19th - 23rd August (Belfast venue TBC)

Play Machine Intensive: 29th - 31st August

  • Incubate Intensive: 19th - 23rd August 2024

    Tinderbox Theatre Company are hosting The Incubate Intensive:

    A week of theatre making, creating a community of makers to focus on developing projects and ideas for performance.

    During the week, each participant will focus on their own project. They will also act as makers, dramaturgs and outside-eyes to support the practice of the peer-group.

    Participants should come with some instinct or idea of what they'd like to develop- but if you don't have a solid idea or what you want to explore, don't worry, we can support you to work on that in the room.

    Facilitators will deliver structured exercises and exploration. We will also set aside time-slots for independent and collaborative work.

    We will spend a lot of the work on our feet, making work and making ideas for the stage.

    By the end of the week you should have a rough 'first-draft' of your piece.

    The week will be led by Alice Malseed, who is a Writer, Theatre-Maker, and Creative Producer at Tinderbox Theatre Company, with additional sessions led by other practitioners e.g. Ciarán Haggerty and Patrick J. O'Reilly.

    The cost:

    £300 full price / £270 concession rate

    Places will be offered (based on suitability) on a first-come, first served basis.

    To apply click here

    Deadline: 12th August 2024

  • Play Machine Masterclass 29th - 31st August 2024

    Next opportunity: 29th - 31st August 2024


    To apply click here

    Cost: £120 full price / £90 concession.

    Play Machine is our Theatre Making Masterclass programme. It is a fully creative environment, imparting a sense of freedom, and authenticity for all participants.

    In physical workshops participants learn the craft of using play to create and tell stories, using movement dynamics and the methodology of play.

    The training develops skills for the creation of dynamic theatre.

    This intensive and liberating programme is appropriate for actors, dancers, directors, writers and designers with all levels of theatrical experience

    We have provided training to over 300 artists since 2017.

    “Tinderbox finds a way to unleash the dormant sides of your creativity” - participant review

  • The HAP School: 19th - 24th June 2024

    HAP School: Holistic Arts Practice School

    Theme: Burn Out

    Dates: Monday 24th - Friday 28th June 10am - 5pm

    Location: Crescent Arts Centre

    Cost: £300 full price / £270 Concession

    To apply click here

    The Holistic Arts Practice (HAP) School offers specialist artist training in play, complimented by creative therapy techniques. This programme invites participants to engage in creating a stronger and healthier foundation for balance, restoration and personal resilience.

    The programme explores The Science of Play, Creative flow techniques, Stress responses, Relaxation and Meditation techniques, Authentic Body Movement, Creative Manifesto and Carl Jung Philosophy, Personal space and Boundaries

    The HAP school is facilitated by Patrick J. O’Reilly.

    In 2022, Patrick studied MA Creative Therapy, in the effort to create more healthier creative spaces for artists and project participants. He is accredited to deliver creative therapy programmes by the International Meditation Teacher and Therapists Association and the International Institute for Complementary Therapists.

  • Incubate Maker’s Network

    The Incubate Maker’s Network is for theatre-makers. It aims to demystify the process of creating and producing theatre. The network creates space to question the hierarchies that exist within the theatre industry, and to support artists to become the producers of their own projects and stories.

    It is a peer support network, a training opportunity, and a space to grow, thrive and discover and nurture the artist within.

    The first participants of the Incubate Makers Network were

    Aoibh Johnston
    Ashton
    Carley Magee
    Colm McCready
    Fergus Wachala-Kelly
    Jane McKeever
    Louise Parker
    Mary O’Loan
    Matthew Sharpe
    Richard McFerran