The participants and stakeholders of Baboró’s LEAP artist support programme discussed the pilot project's development and execution. This panel discussion and Q&A was chaired by Dr. Charlotte McIvor, Drama and Theatre Studies, University of Galway. Panellists included LEAP participants Alexandra Craciun, Fernanda Ferrari, Justyna Cwojdzińska, and programme designers/facilitators Ionia Ní Chróinín, Jo Cummins and Maeve Stone.

This recorded discussion asks:* What did we learn from the process? * What were the successes as well as the failings? * What unique role does diversity play in the Theatre for Young Audiences sector in Ireland today?

The inaugural LEAP programme took place in April 2022, with four selected artists gathering in Galway City for four days of creative exploration and connection building. The paid workshop series specifically supported creatives from ethnically diverse and/or migrant backgrounds and focused on building a toolkit for creating and devising theatre for young audiences. The LEAP artists, Alexandra Craciun, Fernanda Ferrari, Justyna Cwojdzińska, and Justin Anene, brought different backgrounds, experiences and creative practices to the programme and worked collaboratively and democratically with facilitators. Moonfish Theatre's Ionia Ní Chróinín, Zita Monahan and Grace Kiely, with guest artists Mufutau (Junior) Yusuf and Maeve Stone, engaged participants with theatre games, movement exercises, generative brainstorms and production tips.

LEAP is a partnership between Baboró, Moonfish Theatre, and University of Galway. LEAP aims to bridge the gap between the diversity of Ireland's young audiences and that of the artists programmed to create and present work for them.

Funded by the Arts Council with further support from the Irish Research Council.

Recorded on October 17, 2022 during Baboró’s annual festival.