News

Aug 18 2025

Town Hall Theatre announces LASTA Festival 2025

Town Hall Theatre announces LASTA Festival 2025 – a festival for young people by young people

Town Hall Theatre this week unveiled its programme for LASTA Festival 2025, a national arts festival for young people, by young people. The festival, now in its fourth year, will run from 1-6 October and the Town Hall Theatre is one of seven regional venues participating.Started in 2020 by Backstage Theatre, the event has blossomed to include venues nationwide and this year’s line-up features an expanded programme of exciting theatre, music, film, visual arts, and workshops all showcasing the next generation of talented artists and programmers.

Galway’s Lasta 2025 line-up offers something for everyone. There’s an intimate and atmospheric evening of haunting alt-folk from Galway’s evocative singer-songwriter Reylta, performing tracks from her acclaimed debut album. Theatre lovers can enjoy An Evening with Wee Daniel by Aoife Sweeney O’ Connor and Anonn | The Other Side by Cian Ó Náraigh. Jenni Nikinmaa will lead a full-day workshop for writers, offering guidance on scripts in development or ideas ready to take their first steps. Young audiences can dive into creativity with a fun, interactive group singing and arts workshop for Junior Infants to 2nd Class, hosted by Fuse Music Collective. Film fans can experience The Big Spool, a student film showcase presented by UoG Film Society, while visual arts enthusiasts can encounter Tension, a captivating exhibition by Zara Hering. Tickets for all events are now on sale on the Town Hall Theatre website tht.ie or call box office on 091 569 777

The Town Hall Theatre’s Lasta 2025 programme has been created by three exceptional young curators - Alana Mullins, James Boylan and Lara Coady under the guidance of cultural mentor Maisie Lee and supported by the team at the Town Hall Theatre.

Alana Mullins is a Galway-based theatre artist and facilitator with a strong focus on work for young audiences. She was most recently part of the 2025 SELECTED Programme at Galway International Arts Festival. Through her ongoing work teaching drama and facilitating workshops for children with Stage Left Youth Theatre in Tuam, as well as delivering music and art workshops with FUSE Music Collective, Alana’s practice is grounded in creativity and inclusivity. Her work is informed by a deep passion for imaginative, child-centred storytelling. She holds a BA in Global Media and Performance & Screen Studies from the University of Galway and is currently pursuing further studies in special needs education. Alana has a strong passion for all areas of the arts, including live music events and visual arts. She has gained extensive experience in theatre over the years, having participated in various local productions. Alana is next set to work with Dublin Fringe Festival, where she will serve as the facilitator on artist Maisie Lee’s The Shape of Quiet Feelings, a theatrical installation exploring creative responses to climate change with children. Alana is thrilled to be part of the Young Curators Programme and looks forward to sharing the festival’s offerings with audiences.

Lara Coady is a director and theatre-maker originating from Kildare, Ireland. Her interests are in new writing, arts for young people, immersive and multidisciplinary work. As lead artist Lara created and produced i carry you with me (M.FEST Galway, 2024), Awaiting (M.FEST Galway, 2023), ilackpearls (Platform, 2023), and panopticon (Beckett Theatre, 2022). Her directorial film debut, a moment about goodbyes, was selected for the Lift-Off First Filmmaker Sessions and Lasta Short Film Festival 2024. She is currently in development for Still Here? supported by Kildare Arts Council. Beyond directing Lara is experienced in creative community engagement, arts management and administration. She has engaged professionally with acclaimed Irish organisations such as Pan Pan, tasteinyourmouth, Project Arts Centre, Teac Damsa and The Gate Theatre. Passionate about youth arts access, Lara works as drama facilitator and serves as Welfare Officer with Youth Theatre Ireland. She holds a first-class B.A. Hons. in Drama and Theatre Studies from Trinity College Dublin and a PgDip. in Cultural Event Management from Institute of Art, Design and Technology Dun Laoghaire. She is delighted to be a Young Curator and is looking forward to sharing the work with audiences!

James Boylan is an emerging Writer, Lyricist, Dramaturg, Director, and Sound Engineer based in Galway City, working primarily in traditional and musical theatre. He has a BA in Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies with Classical Studies from the University of Galway. An award-winning writer, some of James’ writing pieces include Seven Deadly Sins (2020), The Life, and Many Deaths, of the Mad Monk (2022), and Second Draft (2024). Lyricist credits include The Frogs (2023) and Second Draft (2024). Directing credits include Tick, Tick… BOOM! (2023) and Second Draft (2024). James was part of the Visual Arts Internship Programme (2022) and the SELECTED Ambassadorship Programme (2023) with Galway International Arts Festival. James received an Agility Award from Arts Council Ireland (2023) to develop the script and score and host a week-long development workshop of Second Draft and was then staged in The Mick Lally Theatre as part of Lasta 2024.