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The Baptiste Programme is one of a series of targeted new work programmes at Smock which seek to professionalise artists, to provide a platform for underrepresented voices and to raise skills in artistic practice. Created by Lucy Ryan and Pamela McQueen in 2020, the Baptiste Programme is a paid, mentored script development programme for Black Irish and/or Persons of Colour to write a new play.
The programme is named after the 18th century Black Irish singer Rachel Baptiste, who performed to great acclaim here in Smock Alley as well as at other notable and prestigious venues and pleasure gardens of the time.
This programme is a combination of dramaturgy workshops, mentor seminars and facilitated meetings. The programme culminates in a reading of the new scripts with a professional cast and director. For the past two years the programme of rehearsed readings at the end of the programme have been presented as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.
For the programme in 2025, Esosa Ighodaro is the Project Lead and Facilitator.
Smock Alley Theatre
6/7 Exchange Street Lower
Temple Bar, Dublin 8
(01) 677 0014