It's one of Galway's most unique and daring festivals taking place every summer, but who TF is running WTAF?! anyways?
From a University of Galway production of “Producers,” to being the real-life producers of the Westend Theatre and Arts Festival, Jess and Emily have bonded over their passion for making the arts more accessible in Ireland’s most artsy city.
Galway is known as a city of festivals, especially during the summertime. Under the artistic direction of both Jess Harkin and Emily Aherne, WTAF?! (AKA the Westend Theatre and Arts Festival), is a festival that stands out from the rest of the artsy buzz going on in Galway.
“The Westend Theatre and Arts Festival is primarily rooted in the emerging artist scene.” Said Emily. “It’s providing a space for the artists that don’t get a look into the loads of other festivals going on in Galway; it has its grassroots in the Westend which is realistically where a lot of Galway artists call home.”
above: Emily Aherne, Co-Artistic Director
With a much more intimate approach to an arts festival, the Westend Theatre and Arts Festival makes use of untraditional spaces to share the fun with everyone.
“With a lot of the other festivals, you’ve got huge venues and a much more traditional approach,” said Jess. “Whereas, for us, we’re making use of alternative venues, being a lot more experimental, and giving artists a bit more room to try new things and combine multiple forms of artistic expression.”
Emily and Jess go way back, with both their roots being in the theatre scene at the University of Galway. After discovering a shared passion for bridging artistic gaps, the creative pair have been a strong team ever since their uni days.
“Us doing what we are doing now was born from a want to be able bridge the gap between the amateur and the professional, because we really found it difficult to take that next step ourselves.” Emily added. “We got a bit tired of wondering if we could do a certain project or if we could put a certain show on, and we went ‘what if we just tried to do it ourselves?”
With her foot in the doors of writing, producing, marketing, etc. a ‘quilt of a theatre-maker’ Jess commented on the personal stake in creating a festival like this one.
“It’s really about, having felt ourselves, like you don’t even know where the path is.” Jess continued. “We just think that there should be a clearer path for people that want to step into this career.”
above: Jess Harkin, Co-Artistic Director
Often described as Ireland’s ‘Capital of Culture’ and designated ‘European Capital of Culture 2020’, you would think Galway would boast an abundance of opportunities for up and coming artists to get their foot in the door. But, according to Jess and Emily, it’s not that simple.
“The truth is that there is a lack of opportunities in one of the most creative cities in the world; which doesn’t make sense.” Said Emily. “So, the long-term goal, realistically, is that this festival is a community for people to have work in the arts.”
The Westend Theatre and Arts Festival (WTAF?!) is going on from 21-30 July at various venues throughout the Westend. If you want to see a spectacular assortment of talent and support local artists, more information and ways to book tickets can be found here.
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