Siamsa Tíre, The National Folk Theatre of Ireland, Theatre and Arts Centre operates as both a producing and receiving house throughout the year.
From May to September the National Folk Theatre produces a Summer Repertory Season providing visitors to Tralee with nightly performances. Between two and four productions rotate regularly throughout the summer period. For more details on which productions are taking place this year please see repertory season information.
From October to April the theatre receives visiting productions, these include: Drama, Dance, Music, Opera, Comedy, Traditional Arts and Literature.
The venue also has a full time commissioning and receiving gallery which programmes work throughout the year.
Programming Policy
Siamsa Tíre has three principal programme areas. These are: Theatre Programming, The National Folk Theatre and Visual Arts. The programming policy and priorities for each area are specified below:
Theatre Programming:
The Theatre Programme provides an eclectic mix of high quality performance across the following art forms: Drama, Dance, Comedy, Literature, Children and Family, Opera, Music, Traditional Arts, Arts through the Irish Language and Circus.
The Theatre generally programmes six months to a year ahead and gives priority to the following:
• Professional Productions and Professional Performers
• Creative Partners
• Resident Artists/Associate Artists
• Work specifically designed for local audiences
• Work which broadly explores ‘Folk’ Practice
Unfortunately the Theatre does not programme sports activities, tributes, religious events or non arts related events. For further details on how to include your event into the Siamsa Tíre programme please see How to apply below.
National Folk Theatre Programming
The National Folk Theatre produces work which nurtures the development of, and explores (in the broadest sense), Folk and the Traditional Arts. Productions are produced in collaboration with the resident professional company for inclusion into the Summer Repertoire or for national and international touring. The company does not accept submissions for programming but does accept applications and approaches from professional practitioners seeking to collaborate. Please see How to apply below.
The Gallery Programming
The Gallery has a particular interest in the resonance between folk culture and contemporary visual culture as well as supporting local artists. The aim of the gallery is to support artists to make new work. The supports include material grants (including framing), research programmes, residencies, part-time employment and an attractive fee structure. Priority is given to the following:
Professional Artists, with particular interest in those making work locally
Creative Partners
Resident Artists/Associate Artists
Work which explores Folk Culture
Unfortunately the Gallery does not programme any non arts related event. For further details on inclusion to the Visual Arts Programme please see How to apply below.
How to apply for?
…Inclusion in the Theatre Programme
The Theatre programmes 6 to 12 months ahead and all events included in the programme are advertised and published on the company’s website or the Siamsa Tíre Event Guide. For groups or individuals wishing to hire the theatre please see Hiring the Theatre guidelines below. For visiting artists, production companies, festivals, event coordinators seeking a different arrangement, please refer to the submission guidelines below:
Submission Guidelines for inclusion into the Theatre Programme at Siamsa Tíre (Non Hires)
The Theatre accepts submissions for programming by email only and will give priority to those that fulfil the programming priorities listed above. We ask that applicants give as much detailed information as possible and require the following information:
• Name of Company and Name of Production
• Short Synopsis of Event
• Costings for the Production/Financial arrangements
• How the work will attract maximum audiences in Tralee/Kerry
• Copies of reviews/endorsements
• Dates available for touring.
• How the event will be marketed
Please send all information to director@siamsatire.com and mark for the attention of Karl Wallace, Director.
…Working with National Folk Theatre
The National Folk Theatre accepts applications and approaches from artists as part of a collaborative approach to making new work, skill sharing and exchanging ideas. The company has engaged in a number of projects with artists such as Choreographers: Cindy Cumming, Mary Nunan and Catherine Young, Visual Artist Andrew Duggan, Dance Company - Printz Dance Project San Francisco, Writer and Actor Michael Harding and Director Jo Mangan.
As part of the company’s commitment to the development of its four key areas of practice, the National Folk Theatre is seeking submissions from artists in the following four areas:
• Theatre Practice (all disciplines), including indigenous folk practices from other countries
• Traditional Music
• Dance, including contemporary, classical and indigenous folk dance from other countries and regions within Ireland
• Choral Practice
For further information or to submit a proposal or CV, please contact Artistic Director, Jonathan Kelliher.
..…Exhibiting at the Gallery, Siamsa Tíre
The Gallery at Siamsa Tíre currently operates an Open Submission/Open Curation policy and accepts applications from artists to exhibit. Priority will be given to those that fulfil the programming policy criteria and applications are encouraged from emerging, mid career and established professional artists who are local or wish to engage and work locally.
The organisation is also open to group submissions and happy to discuss ideas with artists who wish to curate a series of exhibitions that meets with Siamsa Tíre’s programming priorities.
Artists are requested to send a proposal outlining their project to the Selection Panel along with brief costings and examples of previous work and CV. Electronic submissions are acceptable (as well as postal applications) and links should be provided where appropriate.
For further information or to submit a proposal please contact Karl Wallace, Director by email or at our postal address
….. Hiring the Theatre Facilities
The Theatre, Music Room, Foyer and Rehearsal Room, Tithe Siamsa are generally available for hire for: performances, rehearsals, events, lectures and conferences, subject to availability. All performances are advertised and published on the company’s website or the Siamsa Tíre Event Guide but unfortunately non Artistic Events cannot be included.
Development Levy (Performances Only)
Please note that Siamsa Tíre operates a Development Levy Scheme. The Scheme is designed to raise monies for a capital costs programme which goes towards the development of facilities in all three of our spaces. The development levy is a charge of €1 applied to every ticket sold for a performance and is added to the ticket price.
To hire the Theatre for a performance. Please contact Karl Wallace, Director by email director@siamsatire.com
For any other hire (non performance related) including rehearsal room, music room, Tithe Siamsa, please contact General Manager, Catriona Fallon.
Siamsa Tíre has a sliding scale of hire charges depending on the facilities required and the day of the week and time of the event. For further information contact Karl Wallace for the Theatre Hire and Catriona Fallon for our other facilities.
FAQ’s
Q: We are a local society and always perform at Siamsa Tíre, can we have a regular performance slot each year.
A: We very much value our local societies and the work they produce at Siamsa Tíre. Where possible we try to accommodate requests for specific dates but are not always able to oblige. As priorities change year on year it is not possible to reserve a regular date for any hiring company.
Q: I am a commercial producer that wishes to hire the venue?
A: Any hires whether local, amateur and professional should contact the Director to discuss times, dates and requirements so that a quote can be provided.
Q: I am with a local amateur company that wishes to be part of the Siamsa Tíre programme, who do I contact?
A: Local producers hire the theatre and you should contact Karl Wallace, Director for more details and applicable hire rates.
Q: I am a freelance artist that wishes to exhibit in the Gallery?
A: Please check our programming policy for Visual Arts and then provide a proposal including all the information we require (Under How to Apply) for the attention of the Selection Panel.
Q: We are a local Irish language group wishing to hire the Tithe Siamsa
A: The Tithe Siamsa, like other facilities at Siamsa Tíre is available for hire. Any non performance space hire (such as the rehearsal room, music room, etc) should be directed to the General Manager, Catriona Fallon
Q: When will I find out if my application (To the Gallery, National Folk Theatre or Theatre Programme) has been successful?
A: We endeavour to contact everyone that has made an application, but sometimes it is not possible to do so. You are welcome to contact us to discuss the progress of your application.
Q: I would like to find out more about the National Folk Theatre and would like to work with them, what do I do next?
A: Contact the Artistic Director, Jonathan Kelliher, whose contact details can be found here
Q: If my submission does not fulfil your programming criteria should I submit my details anyway?
A: You are welcome to submit any proposal to the Siamsa Tíre creative team; however proposals that fulfil our programming objectives will be prioritised.
Q: I would like to hire the theatre but it is not an arts event, can I still apply?
A: Yes definitely, however we are unable to advertise events in our event guide and website that are not arts or creative events
Q: How much does the theatre cost to hire?
A: Our hire rates are dependent on the length of the hire, time of event and day of the event. If you contact Karl Wallace Director, a quote can be provided on request.
Q: I want to submit a proposal, but don’t have all my details, should I just submit it anyway?
A: No, please ensure that you give us as much information as possible. It is not possible for us to consider proposals without full information.
Q: I am a young person that wants to get involved in the activities at Siamsa Tíre, do I have to make a formal proposal
A: No, we would ask you to contact us to find out more about how you can take part in the activities that we offer. Information on our Free Range Youth Theatre and our National Folk Theatre academies can be found under the Get Involved section of our website.
