Plans for 2026 and 2027
Call for Directors — Autumn 2026 to Early 2027 period
Balally Players will have slots in our 2026/27 programme for at least three theatrical productions.
We need directors for:
- 8th November 2026
- a full-length play, likely to fill the Mill Theatre each night - Late October 2026
- a one-act play to compete on the one-act circuit - Late October 2026
- a one-act play not in competition
Workshops
Are you curious about how to translate a script to the stage? With support from Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Council, Balally Players will be organising a series of workshops to explore how to bring a script to life. Specialists will share their expertise in designing and creating the visual and technical elements, as well as movement, character and voice work for actors.
The workshops will use the script from Sean T. Daly's play, Posthumous Pardon, and other well-known works, as case studies - we will be bringing a full production of Sean's play to the stage in Spring 2027.
These introductory workshops will range from half-day to one-day programmes (depending on the topic) and will take place at weekends in October/November. Numbers will be limited and restricted to current members. We will be sharing more information soon, so watch this space!
Artistic Sub-Committee
We're excited to look for expressions of interest from our members to form Balally Players' first Artistic Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee was voted in at the last AGM. The sub-committee will read and assess plays and recommend productions to the Committee for approval. They will also help develop a strategic direction for the group and contribute to longer-term programming discussions.
We're looking for people to bring a range of theatre experiences and perspectives, ideally with lots of amateur drama experience and familiarity with Balally productions. Active theatre-goers and play-readers please step forward!
The committee will select between three and five people to form the sub-committee; choosing people with different perspectives and experiences. We expect that the Sub-Committee iwill meet quarterly and will have a two-year term.
Full details about all these plans were discussed at the Open Night on Tuesday 18 August 2026 from 8pm in Dundrum House.
Balally Players Member Events
What's planned throughout the year (Sep to Jun)
A summary of the main group activities that are planned for the
next six months and a record of the previous six months.
Most of the events and activities organised by the group are listed in the Calendar of Events.
To keep up to date, and transfer the details into your own diary, keep an eye on the calendar, which is updated each month.
The categories of entries in the calendar include Performances and Member Events. For some of the bigger shows, if the production team chooses to use the calendar, it will also include dates for rehearsals.
Some useful resources from the Links page
For more useful places to visit on the Internet, including maps for rehearsal venues, see the Links page.
dlr Mill Theatre - Front of House volunteers needed
In return for access to the facilities at the dlr Mill Theatre for specified periods each year, the amateur drama groups in the areas around Dundrum provide volunteer support for Front of House. Several members of Balally Players give some of their time each month. To share the workload as evenly as possible, there is a need for volunteers to admit the audience and show them to their seats, if necessary.
If you can give one evening each month to help at the theatre (from 7:20pm), please contact Shona Ashmore, or Kate Canning through the dlr Mill Theatre office on 01-296 9340.
Annual Subscriptions — a little goes a long way
Keeping our growing programme and group alive and well requires the modest subscription associated with membership. It also covers the insurance that each member must have before they can be permitted to participate in staged events.
Full details on the cost of membership are in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the About page. The Treasurer can accept payment when in attendance at rehearsals and events. Any questions about the Annual Subscription, payable by each member of the group, may be directed to the Treasurer in person, or by email at the following email address: balallyplayerstreasurer @ gmail.com
Mailing List
In addition to a record of all current, paid-up members of the group (maintained by the Treasurer), Balally Players also manages a Mailing List using the services of MailChimp.com Members of the general public can subscribe or unsubscribe using the 'Join Our Mailing List' option on the Home or Contact pages. The mailing list is used to distribute emails either to Members only, or also to anyone who wishes to hear about forthcoming productions and other topics related to the group's activities and interests. It is also used to send SMS text messages to Members and sometimes to anyone who has taken the option to include their mobile phone number.
All Members should ensure that their current email address and their mobile phone number are on the list. You can check and/or change your contact details by using the 'Join Our Mailing List' option. You should also notify the Treasurer of any change to your contact details.
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