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RSVP; theatre, film, events, workshops.

We create art, nurture artists, and envelop & develop community.

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32.  McCarthy's Community Talent Competition 2009-current (performance arts participation) Producer Yvonne Coughlan.

2020 Postponement Message.

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2019 Promo shoot. Pics John Allen & Final selfie.

Open to all schools primary and secondary in Cork area and beyond. Performance arts participation project. Free Entry! Free Training!  
€150 prize money each category!

2013 to present  Auditions are held at The Old Cork Waterworks, Lifetime Lab, Lee Road and the Bootcamp and Final at Firkin Crane Theatre, Shandon, Cork.

Here are some of the team at the 2019 launch. Pic John Allen. 
We've been going since 2009, and this event has become a strong and vibrant event in the Cork calendar. Each year the team is strengthened not only by wonderful volunteers, but by the return of our talented young people as mentors to those who come after them. Our event is more than a competition, it is an opportunity to learn, to share, to express, to explore and to support, and in turn be supported, within a creative community. Professional and amateurs working together make the magic and realise the potential in our young people. If you're an arts professional looking to give back, or a community member looking to pay it forward                                                                                                                    Join us!

2018 Final.  Filmed and Edited by Jacub Walutek.

Here's a mixed gallery of fun times, and beautiful people, and awesome memories, through the years.

For the 2017 Final joining the auditions judges theatre director Judie Chalmers, and Crux Entertainment’s Shane Ryan on the judging panel, are three more performance arts legends from Cork. The Irish Film Academy Director & Founder, Rachel Sarah Murphy, Fair City fans will remember this Film & TV actress fondly as Jo; along with the artistic director of Chattyboo Productions, a stage and musical actress from the age of 10, Angela Newman tales a break from her tour with Cyclone Rep to offer the voice of experience to our young contestants; and last but not least, singer/guitarist, Fiona Kennedy is currently working on her new album, but she has plenty of tips for our finalists, since she won Ireland’s first ever televised talent show, Screentest.

2017 Promo; excerpts of Auditions and Final 2016.  Video by Maurice Supple,
blue shed productions.

2016 Bootcamp; Firkin Crane. Espiritomundo video.

MCTC 2016. Image from Film screen on Firkin Crane Stage. Pic. Alex Cepile.

2016 Promo; excerpts of 2015 Final. Video by Maurice Supple,
blue shed productions.

Promo shoot 2014. New judge Shane Ryan with Mentors Livy Riordan and Orla Myers. 2013 Jnr winners Lyrical, Kieran Mccarthy, and Snr winner Shauna Nolan.

2013 Promos; excerpts of 2012 auditions. Video by Maurice Supple,
blue shed productions.

2012

2012 Auditions Lifetime Lab 29th April 11am-7pm. 


Bootcamp 6th May 12-4pm CADA, Pine Street. 




Final 9th May 7-9.30pm The Clarion Hotel. Cork. 2012.


2012 Auditions. Video by Maurice Supple, blue shed productions.  

Bootcamp 2012 at CADA. Video by Maurice Supple, blue shed productions.  

2011

2011 Auditions Lifetime, culminating with a final in The Vertigo Suite, County Hall. 7.30-10pm. 27th April, 2011.

(Inset Winner Shannon White.)



2011 Team
Mentors: Nicki Ffrench Davies and Livy Riordan. 
Judges Clare Mansfield and Tess Healy Maguire.   
Videographer  Rob Mullins.

2010





Judges: Elaine Canning, Laura Mitchell, Claire Mansfield.  

Final-Silversprings Convention Center Saturday 26th June.

2010 Auditions-Blackrock Castle Observatory Saturday 19th June.

Mentors to contestants: Livy Riordan, Noelle O'Regan.

2010 Final. Video and Edit Brian Stynes Productions.

2009

The inaugural 2009 Auditions were held in Blackrock Castle.

The Final took place at Blackrock Hurling Club. 08 May 2009. (Inset)



Judges: Elaine Canning, Claire Mansfield, Gerry Kelly, Jon Whitty, Aaron Wolfe.

‘We respect that these young people are brave enough to come audition, and we honour that effort with the best advice we can give. Our contestants come back and support the event long after their initial participation, because of this encouragement and positivity. RSVP works hard to create a supportive atmosphere, and we love the volunteers who give their time and talents to this event each year. This is about empowering a generation of open minded, inspiring individuals, some of whom, like our sponsor independent councillor, Kieran McCarthy will always love performance art, yet work in areas that change policy and support community.’ Yvonne Coughlan.

2019

Winner 2019! Clodagh Quirke.

2019 Promo shoot. Pics John Allen. 

Inset Bubba Shakespeare, Inma Pavon, Cathal O'Donovan, Daniel Cremin, Livy Riordan, Kieran McCarthy.

2018 Winners!

2018 Audition Panel. Jelena Belan. Shane Ryan. Marion Wyatt. Yvonne Coughlan. Pic. Kieran McCarthy. 

Photographing the photographer. 

The awesome John Allen at our 2018 promo shoot with 2017 winners and  Mentors Shane Ryan & Livy Riordan.

2017 Final selfie!

Kidzone Evening Echo 2017.

2017 Promo shoot with guest Judge Rachel Sarah Murphy and 2016 winners Deon O'Callaghan and Daniel Cremin.

Fun on the audition panel with Martyna Lawton, Natasia Duhau, Shane Ryan and Yvonne Coughlan.

Returning to the 2017 audition panel were the coaches, Shane Ryan of Crux Entertainment, Yvonne Coughlan producer/director RSVP, Martyna Lawton of Laughter She Wrote, Natasia Duhau from Cork City Musical Society, Livy Riordan from Carrigaline Community Choir, and, joining them a new guest judge, Cork Theatre Director and Drama coach, Judie Chalmers. The talent, like the mentors, coaches and judges, for MCTC is always diverse, entertaining and fun.

Winners 2016! Deon O'Callaghan (Jnr.) Daniel Cremin. (Snr.)

‘I found McCarthy’s Talent Competition to be a great experience in a fun and encouraging environment, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes performing, or would even like to make new friends’ Daniel Cremin, winner 2016 and excellent mentor ever after.

Final 2016 Judges! Pic. Alex Cepile.

Audition Panel 2016. Natasia Duhau, Shane Ryan, Yvonne Coughlan.

DOP Maurice Supple.

Yvonne Coughlan 2016 auditions.

Promo shoot 2016! The leaning tower of Kieran McCarthy. 

Mentors: Natasia Duhau, Martyna Lawton.

Winner 2014! Shauna Nolan.

‘McCarthy’s Community Talent Competition was a wonderful opportunity. It gave me tremendous encouragement and belief in my talent. I will always look back on my time in the competition with great fondness.’ Shauna Nolan, winner 2013.

Auditions at Lifetime Lab.

Promo shoot 2012! Kieran McCarthy, Shannon White (Snr. Winner), Yvonne Coughlan, Aisling Donnelly (Jnr. Winner), Mervyn Horgan. 

MCTC Final 2011. Vertigo Lounge. County Hall. 

2012

2012 Winners!

Ryan Coleman, winner 2010 in a group, and, 2012 as a solo artist, says, ‘I would highly recommend entering. Even if you don’t win, it is sure to be great craic.’

2011

2011 Winners! Pic. John Allen.

‘I love this competition, and I love the producers, I’m coming back every year!’ Shannon White, winner 2011.
Shannon has been a fantastic mentor ever since she won!

2010

Promo shoot 2011 at The Vertigo Lounge, with our 2010 winner The Clover Boys. Pic. John Allen.

Winners 2010. The Clover Boys performing at the Final.

2009

Winner 2009. Tracey Flemming.

Promo Pic John Allen. 2009. Foreground Victor Forje. Elaine Canning, Claire Mansfield, Ger Wolfe, Kieran McCarthy.