Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 Songwriting Workshop and Performance: 'This Is My Place'

This project has been funded through Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s Creative Ireland Cruinniú na nÓg and Night Time Economy Programme.

The two-day workshop will be held in dlr Mill Theatre on June 13^th and 14^th from 10am-3pm.  To reserve your place click on Thursday 13th at 10am on booking page.

Participants must be available to attend both days of the workshop and both performance evenings. 

To book for  public performances of the work composed on 14^th and 15^th June at 7.30pm, click on your preferred date on the booking page. 

This free two-day song writing workshops, for 14 participants aged 14-18, will centre on the theme of ‘belonging, identity and sense of place’. The song writing process will incorporate a bilingual format, this will include, not just the Irish language, but languages used by all the participants.  The participants will learn about the entire songwriting process and have a fully composed song by the end of the two days.

The format of the workshops will be as follows:

• Choosing a song’s theme and approach
• Structuring a song
• Putting together lyrics, melody, and rhythm
• Collaboration
• Transforming ideas into a fully composed song
• Performance and arrangement of the song
• Public performances on 14^th and 15^th June at 7.30pm in the Maureen O’Hara Studio in dlr Mill Theatre

Shauna Carrick a Dublin-based Irish composer and writer will host the two-day song writing workshop.  Shauna’s passion for musical theatre and telling authentic Irish stories has led her to creating her own works in Dublin and overseas in the UK and USA.  Her most recent production, Shauna Carrick Wants A Dog, written with Conor O’Rourke, was presented at Scene + Heard 2023 in Smock Alley and debuted at the Dublin Fringe Festival 2023, produced by Aon Scéal Theatre, supported by dlr Mill Theatre and directed by Mollie Molumby. The show was nominated for both Best Production and the First Fortnight Award at the festival. Her previous work, Tír na nÓg was showcased at Scene + Heard 2019, at The Other Palace in London’s West End in January 2020, and workshopped at dlr Mill Theatre in July 2021, kindly supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and dlr coco. This was followed by a full production directed by Katie O’Halloran at dlr Mill Theatre in June 2022, supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media and is now available to stream on all major streaming platforms.

Shauna will be assisted by Lauryn Gaffney who is a multifaceted force in the world of music and theatre, boasting an impressive array of talents. With a B.A. in Music and Human Development from Dublin City University, Lauryn has honed her craft through diverse avenues of study, including vocal training at The Royal Irish Academy of Music and pop songwriting in Judy Stake’s renowned course in NYC. As an internationally acclaimed Musical Theatre composer and songwriter, Lauryn has garnered recognition for her groundbreaking work. Her radio musical “I’m Here To Say Goodbye,” supported by the Arts Council Of Ireland, captivated audiences and earned praise from Hot Press magazine as ‘Track Of The Day.’ Described as ‘an extraordinary piece that brings listeners on an emotional rollercoaster in 15 minutes’ by Broadway World, it showcases Lauryn’s innovative approach to the genre.

Among Lauryn’s notable achievements is her original musical “Big Shot,” hailed as ‘a theatrical storm worthy of a Tony gong’ by the Irish Mirror. Following successful workshops and tours, “Big Shot” enjoyed a sellout show at The Helix Theatre, Dublin, with Tony award-winning producer Ken Davenport in attendance. Its Off-Broadway run in New York City’s 54 Below, alongside Lauryn’s solo debut, marked another triumph, drawing acclaim and affirming her as a rising star in the industry. Continuing her trajectory of success, “Big Shot” secured five Broadway World Awards, including ‘Best Musical,’ and garnered glowing reviews from San Diego to London, Dublin to Mexico. Lauryn’s dedication to fostering talent extends beyond her own projects; she co-founded “The Grá Gaff,” a management company and female music collective, supporting emerging Irish female artists. Nominated as Hot Press’ Songwriter of the Year in 2023, Lauryn’s pop compositions have graced Irish, U.K and U.S airwaves, solidifying her reputation as a versatile and sought-after songwriter.  Currently, Lauryn is channeling her creative energy into collaborating with esteemed Irish pop artists and developing her newest original musical, “Jilted,”.

To participate in the workshops and to attend the performances is free but booking is essential.