Smock Alley has long been a venue that supports artists particularly in the early part of their career.

Smock Alley Theatre’s flagship development initiative, The Rachel Baptiste Programme, in partnership with Dublin Theatre Festival, supports Black Irish theatre makers to create new work.

The Baptiste Programme is one of a series of targeted new work programmes at Smock which seek to professionalise artists, to provide a platform for underrepresented voices and to raise skills in artistic practice. Created by Lucy Ryan and Pamela McQueen in 2020, the Baptiste Programme is a paid, mentored script development programme.

The programme is named after the 18th century Black Irish singer Rachel Baptiste, who performed to great acclaim here in Smock Alley as well as at other notable and prestigious venues and pleasure gardens of the time.

The programme is led by Programme Director, Esosa Ighodaro, working alongside Pamela McQueen as the dramaturg on the programme developing scripts with the participants.

We are delighted to announce that applications for the sixth edition of the Rachel Baptiste Programme are now open.

Four artists will engage in a 10-month script development workshops, receiving dramaturgical support, mentorship and masterclasses from industry professionals. A showcase of the work as a public reading will take place at the 2026 Dublin Theatre Festival.

Pictured Top Left L – R:  Esther Ayo James, Donna Anita Nikolaisen, Ryan Lincoln, Pete Daly, Bairbre Ní Chaoimh, Barry Simpson, Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle. | Top Middle L – R: Amanda Azams, Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle, Esther Ayo James | Top Right: Amanda Azams, Alessandra Zevedo, Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle, Yves Lorrhan |  Middle Left: Amanda Azams, Aoife Spillanne-Hinks | Middle: Bairbre Ní Chaoimh, Caitríona Ní Mhurchú | Middle Right: Alessandra Zevedo, Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle, Yves Lorrhan, Esther Ayo James | Bottom Left: Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle | Bottom Middle: Leah Minto, Ryan Lincoln | Bottom Right: Amanda Azams, Esther Ayo James