Calmast will facilitate a project for young people exploring their relationship with a choice of current topics through the medium of spoken word.

Working with Stephen James Smith, a Dublin poet and playwright central to the rise of the vibrant spoken word scene in Ireland today,  the Transition Year pupils of Our Lady of Mercy, Ballybricken, Waterford City (Female Deis School) and Dungarvan College (Male Deis School) will explore a choice of three topics and through discussion with Smith, and a specialist in the given area, will co-create a piece of work.

Workshops will take place in Sept and Oct 2023 culminating in a performance in Waterford City (Theatre Royal or Garter Lane) to align with the Imagine Festival. In addition to the performance, students will be encouraged to record their work to be disseminated via the social media platform TikTok. This is to further promote the idea of spoken word as current and relevant to this demographic and to increase engagement and reach.

The decision to offer a choice of topics is to ensure the process is an authentic and meaningful co-creation between the artist and the students and allow students find their voice and gain more awareness on the topic.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.