Open Minds: A Creative Approach for Young Writers with Darren Yorke

In a world damned by perfectionism, an Open Mind is a river that freely flows both ways. About the Workshop In a world damned by perfectionism, an Open Mind is a river that freely flows both ways. This effortless, curious and incidentally genius workshop trades the pressures of productivity for play. Through games, spontaneous exercises and collaborative storytelling, we'll release our creative flow. Going by the Law of Least Effort, we'll surrender our agendas to what emerges in the moment and go where we're led. Free-associating, making connections, taking logical steps, quantum leaps and side quests, we'll reimagine what it means to write with an Open Mind. Strictly for young people aged 14-19. About Darren Yorke Darren Yorke is a Playmaker. Specialising in improvisation, he makes spontaneous works that feel like play and actively engage audiences of all ages as co-creators. From Longford, he holds a BA in Drama & Theatre Studies from Trinity College Dublin and trained with Vancouver TheatreSports. Returning home in 2017, he founded Grand Stretch, an improvisation-led ecosystem rooted in Keith Johnstone's Impro methodology and is Ireland's leading member of the International TheatreSports Institute. Since 2021, he has co-created award-winning work with a collective now established as Tally Ho, including Boss Rob (Judges' Choice Award, Dublin Fringe 2024) and Fancy Dan (touring 2027), both shaped through child-participative process. As Devising Director, he has created six pieces with BeLonG To Youth Services at the Abbey Theatre. Current work includes Novel Ideas, his solo improvised novel-writing show for Dublin Fringe 2026. Next year, he is set to be Artistic Director of Aisling Children's Arts Festival.