Seán Butler

I am a theatre-maker, writer, and dramaturg from Dublin, based in London. I completed an MA (Distinction) in Theatre Directing - with a focus on multimedia creation - under the guidance of director Katie Mitchell.

My work seeks to interrogate structures of power and art's place in reinforcing unsustainable social models. The climate crisis and its relation to power sit at the heart of my theatre practice. I strive to only make work which is sustainable and accessible.

I was awarded a place on the YTI mentorship scheme for Gavin Kostick and Dani Galligan’s GYM.SWIM.PARTY, directed by Louise Lowe in 2019. In summer 2018 I won a scholarship to study at the Abbey Theatre Summer Studio at the Lir Academy Dublin and was also awarded a place on a Masterclass with Robert Icke. I have made work in both Dublin and London.

He/Him.

Credits

Director/Dramaturg, Small Justice, Camden People's Theatre, 2023.

Director, The Signal Man, Martin Wade, Ink Festival, 16 performances, 2022.
Director, This Person does not exist, Madeleine Accalia, New Moon Monologues, Online Event, 2020.
Director, Cuttlefish Cage, Toby Lee, RHUL Professional Showcase, Online Event, 2020.
Director, Here. Me. Now., Chris Schaunig , RHUL Professional Showcase, Online Event, 2020.
Director, Ballyturk, RHUL Professional Directors Showcase, Online Event, 2020.
Dramaturg/Performer, IKTAKOP, Smock Alley Theatre, 1 week, 2019.
Director, In the Republic of Happiness, UCD Dramsoc, 1 week, 2019.
Director, Sea Wall, UCD Dramsoc, 1 week, 2018.
Director, 4.48 Psychosis, UCD Dramsoc, 1 week, 2018.
Director, Attempts on her Life, UCD Dramsoc, 1 week, 2017.

Composer/Sound Designer, Macbeth, UCD Dramsoc, 10 days, 2019.
Co-Composer/Sound Designer, 4.48 Psychosis, UCD Dramsoc, 1 week, 2018.
Composer/Sound Designer, Attempts on her Life, UCD Dramsoc, 1 week, 2017.

Production Assistant, Normal, The Lir Academy/Dublin Fringe Festival, 1 week, 2017.
Production Assistant, Neon Western, Samuel Beckett Theatre/Dublin Fringe Festival, 1 week, 2017.

Training

- Weekly Directing Workshops with Robert Icke and Lyndsey Turner, March 2020 - 2022.
- MA Theatre Directing with Katie Mitchell, RHUL. 2020
- Professional Mentorship and Development Programme, "Gym. Swim. Party." Gavin Kostick and Dani Galligan. 2019
- Robert Icke Directing Masterclass, Almeida Theatre. 2018.
- Irish Theatre Summer Studio, (Scholarship) The Lir Academy. 2018

Workshops:
- James MacDonald Directing Masterclass, 2023
- Nadia Fall Directing Masterclass, 2021
- Papatango: Developing new plays and Dramaturgy Workshop, 2021
- What's the audience for with Chris Thorpe, 2021
- Finding the Form of a new play with Jeff James, 2020
- Directing new work with Sara Joyce, 2020
- Directing Methods with Audrey Sheffield, 2020
- Dramaturgy and new writing with Dylan Coburn Grey