UCC THEATRE & CORK OPERA HOUSE - Theatre Artist in Residence 2026 - Application Details

                                

UCC THEATRE & CORK OPERA HOUSE 

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR UCC AND CORK OPERA HOUSE’S JOINT  

THEATRE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2027-28 

1 Mar 2027 – 29 Feb 2028 

Overview 

Cork Opera House & UCC have worked in partnership since 2018 to deliver multiple strands of collaborative projects including graduate programmes, residencies and internships. The highly successful MA in Arts Management & Creative Producing jointly delivered by the Department of Theatre at UCC and Cork Opera House is a major trainer of cultural producers in Ireland. We also jointly support a Masters by Research Studentship and Arts Placements.  

 

Theatre Artist in Residence 27 - 28 

In support of the innovative partnership between leading Cork institutions, Cork Opera House and University College Cork applications are now invited for the 2027-28  Theatre Artist in Residence Programme, which is jointly funded by Cork Opera House and UCC.  

 

We welcome applications from professional Theatre Artists practising in the areas of directing, devising, playwrighting, designing for the stage (light, sound, costume), dramaturgy or other forms of performance creation in theatrical arts.  

The appointment of the Theatre Artist in Residence is for one year (1 Mar 2027 – 29 Feb 2028) and the successful applicant will be paid a bursary of €20,000. The Artist in Residence will liaise with the CEO of Cork Opera House (Eibhlín Gleeson) and the Head of Theatre at UCC (Prof. Jools Gilson) for residency support / mentorship / practical advice.  

Both institutions believe that celebrating and promoting diversity in the artists we work with are key to shaping a cultural sector that is inclusive, compelling and meaningful. This residency aims to provide a supportive and inspiring environment where the artist can freely explore their practice, share unique stories and deepen their relationship with the vibrant Irish theatre scene, particularly in relationship to Cork. 

What We Offer: 

• 12 month funded residency (€20,000) to focus on your own theatre practice. 

• Access to office space in either UCC Theatre Department or Cork Opera House. 

• Limited access to performance and rehearsal studios in the Department of Theatre at UCC. 

• Mentorship from CEO of Cork Opera House / Head of Theatre at UCC. 

Eligibility Criteria 

• Evidence of professional practice in Theatre. 

• Ability to demonstrate being independently driven. 

• Ability to commit to a 12 month residency.  

• Ability to demonstrate a reasonable proficiency in English. 

• Be able to evidence your right to work in Ireland. 

                                    

 

 

 

APPLICATION PROCESS:  

Please apply by Friday 8th January 2027

Candidates are strongly encouraged to read the ‘Frequently Asked Questions and Further Information’ section below before they submit their application. 

As part of your application, please include the following:  

• A CV (maximum 3 pages)  

• Two examples of previous work (e.g. photos [up to 6], video [3 mins max per example], script extract [max 5 pages]).  

• Artist’s Statement and/or manifesto (300 words maximum) or audio file spoken equivalent, if preferred.  

• How you would like to use the 12 months of residency support (600 words maximum) or audio file spoken equivalent, if preferred, including a description of how the residency will fit into your professional ambitions and goals.  

Please send your application documents to: ceooffice@corkoperahouse.ie  

Informal enquiries may be made to Eibhlín Gleeson, CEO Cork Opera House (egleeson@corkoperahouse.ie) 
 

Closing date: Friday 7th January 2027

Candidates will be shortlisted for an in-person interview – which will be held in Cork on Wed 27th Jan 2027. The residency runs from 1 Mar 2027 – 29 Feb 2028. 

 

 

 

                                    

 

Frequently Asked Questions and Further Information: 

1. 
   What is Cork Opera House?

We are Cork’s premier performing arts venue, promoting and producing performances in theatre, music, dance, and musical theatre.  

2. What is the Department of Theatre at UCC? 

We are the Academic Unit of University College Cork that teaches theatre, drama, and wider performance practices.  

3. What does the Artist in Residence position require from the Artist? 

The artist is asked to work on their own artistic creation during the time they are funded by the Artist in Residence funding. This may be directing, devising, writing, designing for the stage, or other forms of performance creation in theatrical arts.  

The artist will have the freedom to use the time as they choose but some examples of work that might be considered by the artists during this time are as follows:  

• Originating, creating or developing work  

• Developing capacity in new areas  

• Developing new professional relationships  

4. What do you mean by theatrical arts? 

We mean theatre, drama, musical theatre, dance, and other forms of live performance that have theatrical qualities. We do not mean, in this case, acting, music composition, music performance or music improvisation alone.  

5. What are the expectations of Cork Opera House? 

This opportunity is intended primarily for the artist to develop their practice. It is hoped that you dialogue with Cork Opera House about how you might best use your link with us to support your work. We are unlikely to be able to stage a full performance written, devised, directed or performed by you during the residency. However, we may be able to host readings of work in progress, host one or more events celebrating your work, help you broker new creative or producing partnerships, or support you in other ways that we would discover together through conversation.  

6. What are the expectations of University College Cork Department of Theatre? 

We expect that you will work on your own artistic creation during the time you are funded by the Artist in Residence funding. If you are comfortable doing so, we might ask you to act as a mentor for some of our students. If you are comfortable doing so, we might ask you to share some of your work in progress at the University, in events for the public and / or for students. UCC Creative hosts an annual celebration of all our Artists in Residence and the successful candidate will be invited to be part of this event. We would not require you to teach. We may ask you, if you are comfortable, to deliver one or more workshops in your area of expertise. However, the focus of your work will be on creating your own artistic works.  

7. What will you give the Artist in Residence? 

We will give you €20,000 as a bursary. This will be paid incrementally across a one-year period, the payment structure will be agreed in advance with the artist.  

UCC Theatre will give you access to the UCC Library, use of rehearsal space (within the limits of opening times of the University and Department, and within the limits of times that are available – the rehearsal space is shared), and an optional office space in which to work. UCC Theatre have some staff members who may provide you with dramaturgical input, or help stimulate your imagination further, should you feel that might help you develop your practice. You would determine who might do this by meeting us after becoming Artist in Residence, by reading our research profiles, and by asking us for the input you seek. We would then tell you whether we are able to provide your requested input and work out a plan.  

Cork Opera House will bring you into the community of the Opera House. You will have access to staff members, facilities and mentorship from the Artistic Director/CEO. You will have access to other artists associated with Cork Opera House and to attending performances across the residency. At the beginning of the residency, Cork Opera House and UCC will agree on several objectives with the Artist in Residence that will set out a broad path for the artist to follow. There will be ample discussion around these objectives, and they will be agreed by all parties. The objectives will be broad reaching and flexible. Together and collectively, we will continue to revisit these objectives over the course of the residency.  

8. Where does the money come from? 

50% of the stipend comes from Cork Opera House, which is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and the other 50% comes from University College Cork.  

9. Could I use the funding as matched funding for other grant applications? 

Yes, you could. You would need to check the terms and conditions of matched funding options, however. Not every funder or funding programme would recognise this as matchable funding.  

10. Where do I have to live during the Residency? 

The artist will be based in Ireland but we will expect that the Artist in Residence will have a presence in Cork on numerous occasions throughout the year. Accommodation costs will not be covered.  

11. What career stage of artist are you seeking? 

We are seeking a professional artist, whether early-career, mid-career or late career. This means we are seeking an artist who already has been involved in theatre work in a formal professional theatre environment, rather than exclusively in educational or exclusively community-action settings. The artist we are seeking would have experience staging productions in arts centres, theatres, or in site-specific settings. This experience making work is what we are calling a track record.  

12. What will COH and UCC get out of this Residency? 

Both Cork Opera House and UCC Theatre welcome the opportunity to work with Theatre Artists across multiple areas of specialism. This residency gives us an opportunity to engage with the successful applicant in some depth, to wonder together how their practice might connect with the work we do as both a large scale presenting and producing house and as an educator of emerging theatre artists and producers. Through this Residency, both Cork Opera House and UCC hope to provide a resonant professional development opportunity with time and space for the artist to explore and elaborate their work. 

13. How do I apply? 

Please send your application documents by email to: ceooffice@corkoperahouse.ie by Friday 11th December 2026. Interviews will be held in Cork on Wed 27th Jan 2027. 

14. What do I include? 

• A CV (maximum 3 pages)  

• Two examples of previous work (e.g. photos [up to 6], video [3 mins max per example], script extract [max 5 pages]).  

• Artist’s Statement and/or manifesto (300 words maximum) or audio file spoken equivalent, if preferred.  

• How you would like to use the 12 months of residency support (600 words maximum) or audio file spoken equivalent, if preferred, including a description of how the residency will fit into your professional ambitions and goals.  

15. What should my CV look like? 

Your CV should include your full professional experience alongside any other experience you deem relevant for us to know.  

It should also include your contact information, your educational qualifications and 2 referees that we have permission to contact.  

16. How should I include two examples of previous work?

If you have them, you can use photographs from productions and / or links to short videos (no more than 3 mins per example). We would prefer you to use video sharing platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo instead of sending large files by email. You can also send script extracts. If you do not have access to photographic / video documentation you can describe your work in writing / recorded audio.  

16. What should my manifesto/artist’s statement look like? 

This should include a personal mission statement that tells us who you are artistically, what is your motivation as an artist and what are your objectives as an arts professional. We expect this to be approx. 300 words in length.  

17. What should my statement of intention contain? 

Please describe your general vision for the position and what you hope to achieve while you participate in the residency. This can be broad reaching and ambitious. It can reference current work or new work. It can be multidisciplinary or focus wholly on one subject. The artist has the freedom to use this time as they wish. We expect this to be approx. 600 words in length.  

 

18. What will happen after I apply? 

A staff member of Cork Opera House will contact you, to let you know if your application has been shortlisted for interview or not.  

19. If I am not successful, will I be able to ask why? 

We will be happy to provide feedback to candidates after the application process is complete.  

20. What will happen if I get an interview? 

A staff member at Cork Opera House will contact you to arrange an interview with a panel of 3. This interview will be held in person at Cork Opera House or UCC.