Theatre Artists in Residence - Louise Lewis & Veronica Coburn | Other Kitchens

26 January 2026

Other Kitchens - New Work in Development
5 Month Residency begins January 2026

This Residency, a collaboration between two artists with whom Draíocht has had a long relationship, is entitled OTHER KITCHENS.

Through it, Draíocht will support theatre artist Louise Lewis, research and develop a new work, with the dramaturgical and directorial support of Veronica Coburn. This work has a particular resonance not only for the artists but also for a section of society whose health issues have been ignored by the state for many years, middle aged and older women. It continues Draíocht’s commitment to bringing high quality work outside the walls of the Draíocht building, with the piece ultimately being performed in people’s kitchens within Dublin 15.

This Residency is focused on the development of the piece up to a Work in Progress showing stage.

"All the kitchens you’ve ever been in, lived in, gossiped in, cried in, laughed till you practically puked in, ate in, cooked in, lit the fire in, washed kids in sinks in, snogged boys late at night in, watched tv in, exercised in, did your homework in, smoked out the window in, had parties in, jelly and ice cream in, kept her calm in, held her hand in, dried her face in, made her laugh in, got her her pills in ... Let me ask you a question. What does an addict look like? Your mother, my mother, the woman two doors over. Thousands of women over the age of 60 were prescribed prescription drugs such as Valium to deal with anxiety through the 80s and 90s. A generation of mothers became addicted to prescription drugs. One doctor described it as 'a silent epidemic' in this city among this age group. The kitchen I grew up in, the kitchen you grew up in, all our childhood kitchens. Full of livin, and hurtin, and laughin and cryin ..." - Louise Lewis

The Residency take places from January to May 2026.

Elements of the Residency include:

· A period of desk research to explore if this is mainly a lower income class area problem or is it a classless issue, effecting both urban and rural areas. What hard data is available or is it being ignored by the medical profession and other authorities.

· 3 weeks dedicated creation time in Draíocht (half days) including: Workshops for women from Dublin 15 to explore the territory; a number of outreach visits to community centres: visits to individual homes; interviews with key people and notating lived experience. Sessions facilitated by Veronica Coburn and Louise Lewis.

· A drafting and dramaturgical period over March/April.

· 2 sessions with a movement artist taking into account the stated performance locations.

· 2 weeks rehearsals in May (half days) culminating in a blocked Rehearsed Reading.

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Artist Support at Draíocht

Draíocht is recognised as a creative hub and laboratory space and invests significantly in the development of artist's practice by the provision of benefit in kind support such as space, technical support, admin/marketing support and specialist expertise. We offer a wide range of opportunities to artists i.e. commissions, residencies, artist studios/rehearsal space, co-productions, co-commissions, seed funding, mentoring.

Our Artist Support Series, launched during Covid-19, has helped 79 artists in 2020, 50 artists in 2021, 74 artists in 2022, 53 artists in 2023, and 31 artists in 2024 with the provision of free rehearsal and creative space. Space to rehearse, write, create, film, dance, think & plan... whatever is needed!

With thanks to our funders Fingal County Council & The Arts Council.

#SpaceForTheArts #SpaceForMagic #SpaceForYou

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