The Mavens
The Mavens is a female-centric, mentored playwright development programme facilitated by the dlr Mill Theatre in partnership with the Writers Guild of Ireland Project Facilitator and Dramaturg, Pamela McQueen.
The Mavens seeks to explore the representation of aging women from menopausal age onwards in canonical and contemporary playwriting forms. We explore ways in which the mother figure, the non-conformist queer female and the mythic icon female can be reconfigured through an active aging lens.
The Mavens Programme is supported by the Arts Council through the Arts Grant fund. The programme connects established female playwrights with mid-career playwrights. This is an essential connection as mid-career playwrights negotiate the moment when, historically, women artists experience decline between emerging and established careers. It also allows the playwrights to critically reflect on their own female character voices and any internalised self-censorship acquired through working in patriarchal hegemonies.
Personnel
- Kate Canning: Artistic Director and Co-Ordinator of the Mavens Programme
- Pamela McQueen: Project Facilitator and Dramaturg
- Writers Guild of Ireland: recruitment of participants, advice & support
Playwright Mentors
- Noelle Browne
- Deirdre Kinahan
- Michelle Read
- Gina Moxley
