Applications Now Open for “Tales of Two Cities” Development & International Exchange Program for Theatre Artists
Tales of Two Cities offers a fully funded professional development and exchange program for theatre artists based in Cork, Ireland and Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, applications opened for Tales of Two Cities, an international artist development program designed to support early career artists in the Washington, DC area by offering a fully funded professional exchange opportunity in Cork, Ireland.
Tales of Two Cities is a partnership among Solas Nua in Washington, DC and Cork Midsummer Festival and The Everyman in Cork, Ireland, and is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland's International Residency Initiatives Scheme. The scheme supports arts organizations, across all artforms, in the delivery of residency initiatives and to create opportunities for transnational exchange and cooperation.
This artist exchange program offers emerging theatre artists the opportunity to expand their creative practice through international exposure, mentorship, and collaboration. Each participant will be paired with an Irish mentor. Participants can be individuals or a group.
Selected artists will travel to Cork, Ireland in June 2026 to attend the Cork Midsummer Festival where they will attend theatre productions, meet local and international artists, and grow their professional networks. After the weeklong international residency, artists will return to DC and participate in research and development sessions, workshops, and mentoring from July to September.
The exchange also offers Cork-based artists the opportunity to visit Washington, DC in the fall of 2026, culminating in a final session in November to share insights, ideas, and future plans.
“Traveling abroad to see international work broadened my artistic imagination and changed my career," said Rex Daugherty, Solas Nua’s Artistic Director of Theatre. “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, shared, “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!”
“We are incredibly proud to continue to collaborate on this initiative,” said Des Kennedy, Artistic Director of The Everyman. “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 to and accommodation in Cork, Ireland for the program dates. Artists will also receive a fee to cover their time for travel, workshops, mentorship, development sessions, and other expenses.
Tales of Two Cities is an exciting opportunity for emerging theatre artists to see new works, deepen their practice, and build meaningful international connections that will shape the future of their art.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a theatre artist based in the Washington, DC area (DMV) or in Cork, Ireland
- Have no more than 10 years professional experience
- Be over 21 and not currently enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate education
- Be available for all key program dates
- Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, and an openness to collaborate
- Hold a valid passport
Key Dates:
- April 23: Application deadline
- April 30: Notification
- May: Program starts: key meetings with other artists and Cork Midsummer Festival / Everyman teams; artists assigned a mentor
- June: Initial meeting with mentor to establish goals and outcomes, including setting the direction for Research & Development days
- June 17-22: Trip to Cork Midsummer Festival to see work, meet local and international artists, and connect/exchange with peers
- July – September: Research & Development (time to think, research, work to put ideas together) facilitated by Solas Nua along with mentorship sessions & development time
- Autumn 2026: Cork artists to visit Washington DC to meet local artists, see work, and connect
- November: Final meeting, bringing together all of the participants for a final sharing of thoughts, ideas and next steps
How to Apply:
Applicants must complete the online application form.
Deadline: Friday, April 23, 2026
Please contact production@solasnua.org with any application questions.
Solas Nua — meaning “new light” in Irish — was founded in 2005 to bring the best of contemporary Irish arts to Washington, D.C. With 100+ nominations and multiple awards, Solas Nua has presented the work of over 1,000 Irish artists across theatre, literature, poetry, music, visual arts, and dance.
Cork Midsummer Festival is one of Ireland’s leading international arts festivals, unique in its use of the city as a stage and in the extraordinary creative collaborations that connect art and audiences, artists and communities, Cork and the world.
The Everyman, a 650-seat Victorian theatre, has been Cork’s cultural home for 125 years. Our mission is to produce the best in Irish and international performance for Cork and Irish audiences. We aim to be indispensable to all of the communities we serve: audiences, artists, employees and suppliers, while remaining rooted in, and inextricably linked to, Cork
