Applications are now open for Tales of Two Cities, a new international artist development program designed to support early career theater artists in the Washington, DC area with a fully funded professional exchange opportunity in Cork, Ireland. The initiative is aimed at emerging artists with no more than 10 years of professional experience, and especially encourages designers and other creative team members to apply.
Tales of Two Cities is a partnership between Solas Nua in Washington, DC, Cork Midsummer Festival, and The Everyman in Cork, Ireland. It is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland’s International Residency Initiatives Scheme, which supports arts organizations in creating opportunities for transnational exchange and cooperation across all art forms.
The program is built to deepen creative practice through international exposure, mentorship, and collaboration. Each participant will be paired with an Irish mentor, and applicants can apply as individuals or as a group.
Selected artists will travel to Cork in June 2026 for the Cork Midsummer Festival, where they will see theater productions, meet local and international artists, and expand their professional networks. After the weeklong residency, they will return to Washington, DC for research and development sessions, workshops, and mentoring from July through September.
Cork-based artists will then visit Washington, DC in autumn 2026, with a final session in November bringing all participants together to share ideas, insights, and next steps.
Rex Daugherty, Solas Nua’s Artistic Director of Theatre, said, “Traveling abroad to see international work broadened my artistic imagination and changed my career. I’ve been eager to share that experience with more DMV artists, particularly after so many development programs have been cut or cancelled. During a time of disappearing opportunities and increased barriers for emerging artists, this program opens doors and fosters creative growth at a critical time in an artists’ career.”
Lorraine Maye, Director of Cork Midsummer Festival, said, “The International Residency Initiative Scheme from The Arts Council is a visionary opportunity for Irish and international artists. It is rooted in the necessity and richness of reciprocity, connection and artistic innovation. Alongside our long time friends and collaborators The Everyman, it is so exciting to be working with the brilliant Solas Nua for the 2026 iteration of Tales of Two Cities. Washington, DC artists – we can't wait to meet you and welcome you to Cork!”
Des Kennedy, Artistic Director of The Everyman, said, “We are incredibly proud to continue to collaborate on this initiative. Some of my earliest directing credits were for Solas Nua in Washington D.C, so I know first-hand how transformative international artist exchanges like this can be. Cork, like DC, is a creatively ambitious and politically engaged city with some of the most dedicated and passionate artists. Now more than ever, we need mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and international connection, so Tales of Two Cities is a vital and timely programme.”
Participants will receive full financial support for flights and accommodation in Cork during the program dates, along with a fee to cover their time for travel, workshops, mentorship, development sessions, and other expenses.
To be eligible, applicants must be theater artists based in the Washington, DC area or in Cork, Ireland, be over 21, not currently enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate education, hold a valid passport, and be available for all key program dates.
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