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  INTRODUCTION    
 
WATERFORD AND WATERFORD YOUTH DRAMA

Location of Waterford, Ireland

View of Waterford, Ireland

Waterford is the largest city in southeast Ireland. It's a dynamic cultural and economic centre with a long and varied history. The population of the City is 50,000, and it has a large catchment area. For more information about Waterford, click here.

 

Waterford Youth Drama is a youth and community arts resource which enables young people to participate in creative activity as a means of self-expression and development in a safe, professional and enjoyable environment.

WYD is recognised nationally as one of the country's leading youth arts organisations, and each week over 400 young people take part in its activities.

Established in August 1985, WYD has grown from the voluntary efforts of two individuals and 25 young people to a fully-structured youth arts organisation with a paid staff.

 

Waterford Youth Drama provides a comprehensive quality response to the creative aspirations and developmental needs of young people in the Southeast.

INFORMATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

These girls really hate each other

To the general public, the most visible aspect of WYD is its drama, dance and film productions. But WYD is primarily an educational organisation, and its main activity is operating its Workshops.

WYD runs drama, dance, film and creative writing Workshops throughout the year for young people. These Workshops take place every week and are run by professional tutors.

Click here for more about WYD's Workshops.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND ADULTS

Get into video!

Waterford Youth Drama provides an outlet for artistic expression among young people. Youth arts activity is a proven method of personal development and education. Through youth arts, WYD aims to:

  • enable young people to articulate their needs clearly in a safe group
  • enable young people to develop interpersonal skills, such as confidence, social interaction, responsibility sharing, planning, decision making, and problem sharing
  • introduce young people to new and innovative elements of the arts
  • provide training and education in creative skills

WYD is always interested in finding new potential adult leaders. We offer in-service training and huge challenges. Are you interested? If so, ring WYD at 051-879377. (WYD operates a screening process to ensure safety within the organisation.)

WYD: A COMMUNITY ASSET

Meet new friends!

Waterford Youth Drama is clearly committed to communities, in particular communities experiencing disadvantage. At the very core of the work of WYD is the Outreach Drama Workshop Programme. Outreaching into four communities in Waterford, weekly workshops in drama are led by experienced drama tutors. The workshop programme is very strong, with groups over-subscribed in some areas.

WYD is grant aided by The Arts Council - An Chomhairle Eireann, FAS, Waterford City Council, City of Waterford VEC Waterford Youth Committee, The Ireland Funds.

WYD also has a Corporate Friend and Patron Scheme to encourage Companies and individual business people to support the work of creative young people.

If you'd like to advertise in the programme of the next WYD production, or help WYD in some other way, ring Cathy Hanrahan (Administrator). Click here for contact information.

MORE ABOUT WYD

Act! Act! ACT!

Waterford Youth Drama promotes access for all young people to the creative arts, in particular young people from disadvantaged areas. WYD delivers community-focused programmes in areas of Waterford which in general are lacking an arts tradition, e.g. inner city areas and urban housing estates. We positively encourage the involvement of young people with special needs.

WYD is founded on the principles of youth work and has strong working links with other youth and community groups in Waterford.

'Waterford Youth Drama is a valued and respected part of Waterford life' - Vivien Hewington, Cambridge Arts Theatre

'Youth Drama is alive and kicking in Waterford' - The Examiner

'A regional resource for younger audiences'- The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaion

'I was particularly impressed by the level of professionalism in the company' - B.T. National Connections Assessor