I want to acknowledge the excellent work which has taken place with some of Ireland’s emerging writers under the guidance of the teams of professional theatre directors who have collaborated to create some 10 new plays, 5 of which have been selected for staging in New York as part of the 1st Irish festival this September
Louise Purcell on behalf of Heather Humphreys, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
The Big Green Apple project provides a very important international showcase in one of the most important theatre capitals to some of our most promising new writers
Ray Yeates (Arts Office, DCC & Big Green Apple judge)
I was one of the judges for the ten short plays commissioned by Attic productions last Autumn.
It was an exciting evening of Theatre, a good idea followed through with flair and aplomb.
Yvonne and Camille are doing excellent work in the promotion of new writing and deserving of all support possible in bringing the five plays that made it through the process to New York.
I would love to see them and the playwrights and the fully revised and extended plays have the opportunity to travel and show the work.
I fully support their application and wish them every success in realising this project that they have all worked so hard on.
With every good wish
Marina Carr (Playwright & Big Green Apple judge)
The Big Green Apple was a highly organised, creative event into which I was invited as a Director. It’s format challenged actors, directors and writers to think on their feet, to think outside the box and to dig deep for creative resources. It could provide no better shake-up for such artists looking for a challenge. The venture’s support team went to no end of trouble to ensure that the artists had whatever they needed and that the technical and performance elements went smoothly. It is encouraging to see that already there are plans to hone and adjust the formula; they’re responding to feedback and will make an already successful event better with time. The American leg of the venture lends real meaning and incentive to all concerned and should be supported as a true seedbed of future growth.
Paul Brennan (Big Green Apple Director)
As Overall Director of The Big Green Apple’s Dublin presentation I found the creativity, writing, directing and acting to be of very high calibre. The structure, format and process for its inaugural outing bodes well for its future development. The Big Green Apple is a real and important opportunity for Irish theatre makers to showcase their work in Ireland and the U.S. I will pay particular mention to its co-producers Camille Donegan and Yvonne Ussher for their initiation, care, diligence and producer savvy that was the core to its overall success. And of course to George Heslin, Artistic Director of First Irish Festival New York for his vision, passion and support.
The Big Green Apple has the potential to stake its place on the Irish/American cultural map
Raymond Keane
(Artistic Director of Barabbas Theatre Company & overall director of The Big Green Apple)
The arts are an essential part of our world through which we can
imagine a better future for everybody. The Attic Studio and the Big
Green Apple are a group of creative, talented people making the world
a better place through the excellent, imaginative and exciting work
they create and through the incredible and unique support and
opportunities they provide for many different artists. Long may this
work continue.
Mary Moynihan, Artistic Director, Smashing Times Theatre Company
The Big Green Apple 