How We Work 

The Abbey Theatre commission, develop, produce and co-produce new work as well as reviving plays from the Irish theatre canon. We get to know the work of the playwrights and theatre makers we work with by reading and watching their work; there is more information below about how best to introduce yourself and your ideas to us.

Caitríona McLaughlin, Artistic Director & Co-Director leads the artistic vision of the organisation. She programmes our theatre, selecting and curating the work we produce, present, commission and share with audiences on our Dublin stages and beyond.

The Producing Team produce the shows that are performed both at the Abbey Theatre, on its Abbey and Peacock stages, as well as touring shows nationally and internationally. They also foster the creative relationships that lead to the co-production and presentation of work.

The Literary & New Work Team manage the commissioning and artistic development of scripts and ideas for future programming at the Abbey Theatre. They also facilitate artist advancement opportunities and build relationships with a broad range of playwrights and theatre makers.

The Casting Director is responsible for casting in-house productions. This process varies from show to show depending on cast sizes and the specific needs of each individual production.

Together, we ensure the effective delivery of the Abbey Theatre’s artistic vision across all productions, present and future.

How To Get In Touch 

Scripts & Ideas

Playwrights and theatre makers, you can submit new scripts and ideas to us in two ways: with a finished script or with an idea in development.

Click here to visit our Scripts & Ideas page for more information on our submission processes and how to introduce us to your work.

Please note, craft and skill development opportunities for playwrights and theatre makers are run periodically throughout the year, here on Abbey Street, and around the country. Follow us on social media for the latest updates and information.

Casting

If you would like to submit a CV and headshot for an upcoming production, please send them to casting@abbeytheatre.ie

You can also send any show invites to this address. Barry Coyle, Casting Director is committed to seeing as many shows as possible within time and budget restraints.

Please note, Open Auditions are run periodically throughout the year. Follow us on social media for updates and application details.

Creatives

If you are an established artist with at least three professional production credits in the areas of Direction, Set, Costume, Lighting, Sound or AV Design or in Movement Direction, Fight/Stunt Direction, Choreography and Intimacy Coordination and you would like to  submit a CV and portfolio for the attention of the Producing Team for consideration please email producingteam@abbeytheatre.ie

Co-Productions & Presentations

Co-production and presentation opportunities at the Abbey Theatre are limited and are at the invitation of the Artistic Director. While we don’t accept open submissions for co-productions or presentation you can contact the Producing Team in relation to co-productions or presentations that may be aligned to the our programme aims and ambitions by emailing producingteam@abbeytheatre.ie

Please note: We do not offer individual feedback or responses in relation to queries on co-production or presentation submissions. If we do want to advance the conversation, we will invite you to a meeting, or ask you for more detailed information. If your idea isn’t a fit for us, we will communicate that to you so that you can propose the idea elsewhere.

Abbey Theatre Artists’ Studio 

This collaborative workspace is home to four Resident Directors, Esosa Ighodaro, John King, Lianne O’Shea and James Riordan, Associate Director Caroline Byrne, and Associate Artist Derbhle Crotty year-round. There are also hot-desking facilities for commissioned playwrights, guest artists and theatre-makers developing ideas with the support of the Literary & New Work Department.

Who Are We? 

Producing Team

Head of Producing Jen Coppinger

Senior Producer Craig Flaherty

Producing Assistant Aoife McCollum

Casting

Casting Director Barry Coyle

Literary & New Work Team

Literary & New Work Director Ruth McGowan

New Work Associate Jesse Weaver

New Work Associate Rían Smith

New Work Assistant Selina O’Reilly

Script Associate Tanya Dean

Associate Artists

Senior Associate Playwrights Marina Carr and Conor McPherson

Associate Director Caroline Byrne

Associate Artist Derbhle Crotty

Resident Directors Esosa Ighodaro, John King, Lianne O’Shea and James Riordan