The annual Marie Mullen Bursary, named in honour of actress and Druid Theatre co-founder, Marie Mullen, has been awarded to Lighting Designer Suzie Cummins.

This annual award from Druid Theatre Company is for female theatre artists working in areas of design, directing and dramaturgy.  Now in its fifth year, it aims to address the historic imbalance of female representation in theatre and to support women as they develop professionally in the industry.

Suzie will have paid work opportunities with Druid, including the role of assistant lighting designer on one of the company’s 2023 productions – Druid has yet to announce details of any new shows for this year.

She will also receive a stipend, mentoring, access to workshops and Druid’s other development programmes such as FUEL and Druid Debuts.

The company has also announced the five theatre-makers that have been selected for Druid’s 2023 FUEL artist residency programme. They are Eibhleann Caffrey, Fionnuala Doyle Wade, Brídín Nic Dhonncha, Jenni Nikinmaa and Martin Warde.

Each one will work on creating new theatre pieces during the nine-month programme, when they will receive mentorship, workshops, residency periods, a showcase event, networking events, and funding and producing advice.

FUEL, which has been running since 2014, has supported more than 30 artists based in the West of Ireland as they develop their creative practice while in residency at Druid’s Mick Lally Theatre.

The Marie Mullen Bursary and the FUEL artist residency programme are key strands of Druid’s artist development initiative, according to the company’s Artistic Director Garry Hynes.

Other artist development programmes  offered by the company include the Druid Academy, as part of its 10-year strategic partnership with University of Galway; its award-winning Community and Education programme; and its New Writing programme which last year received over 500 script submissions.