This year the festival celebrates creativity in older age with Galway County Council and Galway City Council (as part of their age-friendly cultural programme) promoting the festival.

To launch Bealtaine, Blue Teapot Theatre Company are hosting ‘A Tea Party in Wonderland’ based on Alice in Wonderland, on May Day (1^st May) from 12 noon – 3pm.

Directed by Rod Goodall with costumes and puppets from Charmian Goodall the celebration and spectacle (with music, dance, puppetry and theatre) will be held in the beautiful Victorian walled garden in Kilcornan, Clarinbridge, Co Galway.

The walled garden will form a unique background for small vignettes from Alice in Wonderland such as the Cheshire cat and the painting of the roses.

It promises to be quite a spectacle with all three strands of Blue Teapot performing; including members from Bright Soul, the Performing Arts School and the Acting Company.

Following the performance the audience will participate in ‘The Mad Hatters Tea Party’, indulging in a cupcake or two. Additional performances will take place involving all community members creating a fun festival atmosphere.

There will also be a competition for the best dressed “Mad Hatters” so don’t forget to come prepared with your best Mad Hat.

Light refreshments will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there.

For more information on the event please contact 091-520-977 or admin@blueteapot.ie

Tim Wheeler, Artistic Director - Mind the Gap

Petal and Tim meet at the International Convening of Thought Leaders in Theatre, Dance, Disability, Education and Inclusion in Washington DC last September.  We’re thrilled to create an opportunity to continue the conversations started there.

Tim is in Ireland for the IETM conference in Dublin this week and has carved out time from his busy schedule to meet with Petal and the Teapots and Teacups. This will be his first visit to Blue Teapot. Welcome to Galway Tim!

We’re very busy at the moment getting our performing arts students accredited in Level 3 modules and preparing for our performance in the upcoming Bealtaine festival on May 1st.

More details on our projects to follow soon.

Happy Tuesday.

Want to join in?

Since 2010, the Performing Arts School has delivered FETAC accredited performing arts training specifically designed for school leavers & adults with intellectual disabilities.

Three years on and we are now looking to recruit a new intake of learners to our school in September.

IT’S A CERT – YOU’LL LOVE OUR SCHOOL!

A three year programme, participants will have the chance to learn a wide range of performing arts skills and gain certification in modules such as drama, music, costume design, theatre craft, event participation and drawing.

Participation in events such as Galway’s St.Patricks Day Parade and other public performances is also an integral part of the learning experience.

Who can apply?

• School leavers with an intellectual disability & adults with an intellectual disability.
• You don’t need any prior experience but a strong interest in performing arts is a must.
• Places are limited and some places may be prioritised for school leavers

When does the course start?

A three year course is due to start in September 2013 (subject to funding) and finish with a graduation in 2016.

• Initial interviews will take place in late March, with shortlisted candidates auditioning in April & May 2013.

How to Apply

New applicants are invited to contact Blue Teapot for an application form, available from info@blueteapot.ie or by calling Sonja Brodie 091 520 977.

Deadline for Application is Monday 25^th March 2013.

The camera got a look into how our production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was created and spoke to the cast and Director, Petal Pilley.

If you can view this please click on this link ID Project short film

Charlene Kelly (playing Sophie) and Kieran Coppinger (Larry) from Sanctuary

Our first engagement comes on receipt of a nomination in The Irish Times Theatre Awards 2012.

Under the category of ‘Judges Special Award’, we have been recognised for ‘giving a voice in theatre to actors with intellectual disabilities’. This comes as a substantial endorsement of our 2012 production ‘Sanctuary’, written by Christian O’Reilly and directed by Petal Pilley. Our fellow nominees include Stephen Rea and the city of Cork!

The ceremony takes place at The Royal Hospital Kilmainham on Sunday 24^th February.

The following day, and for the 2^nd successive year in a row, Blue Teapot has been shortlisted for an Aontas STAR Award in the Connaught Region.

With the emphasis on opportunities given to Adult Learners, this nomination comes on the back of Blue Teapot’s Performing Arts School successfully delivering FETAC Level 2 & 3 arts education programmes since 2011 as well as Bright Soul, our Outreach programme.

The Star Awards ceremony takes place at the Burlington Hotel on 25^th February 2013.

Fingers crossed, a gong will be heading west to Munster Avenue. Either way, it is a terrific start to 2013.

Have a happy and peaceful holiday season.

Best wishes,

Blue Teapot staff

As we finish up for Christmas we thought we’d send you a wrap up of the amazing year that has been 2012.

• We had a great time for St Paddy’s day again and worked tremendously hard on creating Sanctuary, (with a VERY successful FundIt campaign) for the Galway Theatre Festival in October.
• In February our Performing Arts School students successfully gaining FETAC Certification in Level 2 Performing Arts Skills
• Just last week all the Teacups and Teapots were successful in all of their subjects for FETAC Level Three Foundation Performing Arts Skills
• In the meantime we were shortlisted for the AONTAS Star Awards and the Galway County Mayors Awards.
• Petal rubbed elbows with her international cohorts in Washington DC
• and the Teapots and Cups received masterclass workshops with Meisner Maestro Scott Williams.
• We put in our new theatre floor in the summer
• We repainted the exterior of the building to open Galway’s Culture Night with the Mayor of Galway.
• We also recreated Michael Jackson’s Thriller for Social Inclusion week with youth groups from Galway County
• Add to this a November tour date of Sanctuary in New Ross Co. Wexford;
• a Christmas Cabaret performed by the Teacups and Bright Soul
• And to cap it off we’re jumping into the sea on Christmas Day for our annual Christmas Swim fundraiser, Whew!

WOW! What a list on achievements.  Thank you to all of you that have been involved.
We’ll keep you updated in the New Year for what 2013 brings (Hint: It will definitely include seeing Sanctuary again!)

Have a very Happy Christmas and a joy-filled New Year,

Love

Everyone at Blue Teapot, Pots, Cups, Souls………the whole Tea -set!

Take another bow Teapots & Teacups.

I told you we'd do it

Not only applauded for onstage & backstage efforts during the highly acclaimed Sanctuary, but also in achieving vocational goals in Foundation Performing Arts Skills this month.

All company members have successfully passed FETAC Level 3 component modules in Drama, Event Participation, Costume Art & Design and Drawing, with Music currently being delivered to the Teacups.

It’s a tremendous sign off to a year that has seen major achievements in artistic excellence, on stage and off, within the weekly activities at Blue Teapot.

Throughout 2013, we will be recruiting new students to join the Performing Arts School in September. For further information, email info@blueteapot.ie or call Sonja Brodie on 091 520 977.

Can you believe it? For a fourth consecutive year, Petal Pilley, our Director is swapping her winter woollies for a swimsuit on Christmas Day and jumping in to Galway Bay.

Joining Petal in this festive splash will be Sean Conneally East Sector Manager of Brothers of Charity Galway and hopefully many other Teapot supporters.

That’s where you fit in.

Do you like what we do and want to find a way to help?

The theme for this year’s swim is Blue. Show up with something blue and take a dip for Blue Teapot.

Time to put on those blue suede shoes, blue velvet, or show up as a devil in a blue dress. Just don’t make these brown eyes blue and join our team!  Blue Teapot is a registered charity (CHY 18643)

We rely on the kindness of our supporters to ensure that we continue to provide the high standard of training and performances you have come to expect from us.

Don’t feel like getting wet? You can donate via the Paypal link on our home page or contact us for a sponsorship form to support Petal and Sean.

Can you believe it? For a fourth consecutive year, Petal Pilley, our Director is swapping her winter woollies for a swimsuit on Christmas Day and jumping in to Galway Bay.

Joining Petal in this festive splash will be Sean Conneally East Sector Manager of Brothers of Charity Galway and hopefully many other Teapot supporters.

That’s where you fit in.

Do you like what we do and want to find a way to help?

The theme for this year’s swim is Blue. Show up with something blue and take a dip for Blue Teapot.

Time to put on those blue suede shoes, blue velvet, or show up as a devil in a blue dress. Just don’t make these brown eyes blue and join our team!  Blue Teapot is a registered charity (CHY 18643)

We rely on the kindness of our supporters to ensure that we continue to provide the high standard of training and performances you have come to expect from us.

Don’t feel like getting wet? You can donate via the Paypal link on our home page or contact us for a sponsorship form to support Petal and Sean.