Launched on 17th September 2025, this year’s Next Wave cohort includes Iseult Deane, Tommy Harris, Carley Magee, Matthew Sharpe, and Jamie Sykes.

Next Wave is a paid initiative designed to support early-career playwrights. Following its inaugural year in 2024 and spearheaded by the Abbey Theatre’s Literary & New Work Department, the programme offers bespoke, practice-based experiences within the National Theatre of Ireland. This unique opportunity allows early-career playwrights to develop and refine their work in an active producing house.

Commenting, Literary & New Work Director at the Abbey Theatre, Ruth McGowan said: “The Literary & New Work team are giving Carley, Jamie, Tommy, Matthew and Iseult an enthusiastic welcome to the Abbey Theatre as our second edition of Next Wave kicks off. We first got to know these five playwrights through reading their plays and seeing their work on stage. The ambition, wit and dynamism of their writing has impacted on us and fuelled hours of enthusiastic conversation. We’re very glad to have the opportunity to connect with them and their ideas further in the year ahead as they evolve and deepen their practice as part of the vibrant community of artists making work here at the national theatre.”

Left to right: Iseult Deane, Tommy Harris, Carley Magee, Matthew Sharpe, and Jamie Sykes. Image by Róisín Murphy O’Sullivan.

Through Next Wave, the participating playwrights will receive several supports, including: 

• Craft and skill development workshops led by Abbey Theatre staff and Associate Artists. 
• Masterclasses and one-to-one mentorship from world-class theatre makers. 
• Dedicated writing time and desk space in the Abbey Theatre Artists’ Studio. 
• Bespoke dramaturgical support from the Literary & New Work team. 
• Invitations to Abbey Theatre productions, rehearsals, and opening nights. 

This initiative builds on the Abbey Theatre Literary & New Work team’s year-round engagement with new writing. From reading hundreds of script submissions to attending performances and readings across Ireland, the team works to support playwrights and theatre-makers. This deep and ongoing relationship with the theatre community enables them to curate a Next Wave cohort that reflects both the calibre and breadth of new voices in Irish theatre today. 

In the selection process, the Abbey Theatre’s Literary & New Work team looked for work that displayed an individual imagination, a fresh perspective, a facility with language and strong dramatic instinct. They considered the potential of each playwright to write impactful plays that will resonate with, challenge and delight Irish audiences. This year’s programme has expanded from four to five participants – a testament to the high calibre of playwrights working in Ireland today. 

Last year’s Next Wave playwrights were Pea Dinneen, Peter Hanly, Dee Roycroft, and Samuel Yakura. On their experience, they said:

‘… it’s a very special way to spend a year of your playwriting life. It allows you to continue the journey your own work is bringing you on, but also to swim in new creative waters that support, stimulate and challenge … After the Next Wave year, you will undoubtedly feel like more of a writer.’ – Peter Hanly, Next Wave participant 2024/2025.  

‘I think it really fostered and encouraged my individuality as a writer but in a beautifully supportive way while putting just the right amount of pressure on me.’ – Dee Roycroft, Next Wave participant 2024/2025. 

‘… the affirmation [that Next Wave gives] is a significant motivation for me to keep refining my craft at this stage of my practice as a writer.’ – Samuel Yakura, Next Wave participant 2024/2025. 

If you are a playwright and would like to be considered for a future edition of Next Wave, see our New Work: Artists, Scripts and Ideas page for further information on how to get in touch and share your work. 

More details on this year’s Next Wave playwrights can be found here.