Exploring the intersection of theatre and mental health

across Europe

Join First Fortnight and our European partners for a day of conversation, performance and exchange exploring what theatre can do for mental health.

The THEATRUM ANIMI European Symposium brings together artists, mental health practitioners, cultural organisations, policymakers, researchers and people with lived experience to share ideas, practice and perspectives from across Europe.

Through live performance, conversation and audience participation, we’ll explore how theatre can create spaces to talk about mental health, build connection, challenge stigma and support greater social inclusion.

The symposium is hosted by First Fortnight as part of the THEATRUM ANIMI Dublin Study Visit, 21–23 October 2026, and will also mark the launch of THEATRUM ANIMI’s shared European public campaign.

 

The Programme

Download the programme

09:30 — Arrival, Registration + Tea & Coffee

Guests arrive at Smock Alley Theatre for registration, tea and coffee, with an opportunity to meet fellow attendees and THEATRUM ANIMI partners from across Europe ahead of the day’s programme.

10:00 — Welcome & Opening

A welcome from First Fortnight introducing THEATRUM ANIMI, the European partnership and the purpose of the Dublin Symposium.

The opening will set the context for a day exploring the relationship between theatre and mental health, bringing together artists, cultural organisations, practitioners, policymakers and people with lived experience.

10:15 — Ministerial Address & Conversation

An address and conversation considering the role that arts, culture and creative participation can play in conversations around mental health, and the importance of collaboration across the cultural, community and health sectors.

11:00 — Creative Interlude

A creative moment within the morning programme, bringing artistic expression into the Symposium and reflecting the day’s commitment to placing creative experience alongside discussion and exchange.

11:15 — Break

Tea and coffee, with time for informal conversation and connection.

11:30 — Across Europe: Theatre, Mental Health & Community

A conversation with members of the THEATRUM ANIMI partnership exploring approaches to theatre, participation and mental health across different European contexts.

Partners will share perspectives from their own work, considering what can be learned across borders and how theatre can create opportunities for encounter, recognition, participation and connection.

12:15 — In Conversation with PJ Gallagher

A conversation exploring creativity, performance, mental health and lived experience, considering how personal stories and creative expression can contribute to wider conversations around mental health.

13:00 — Lunch + Partner Exchange

Lunch and an opportunity for informal conversation between attendees, artists, practitioners, organisations and THEATRUM ANIMI partners.

The exchange creates space to make connections, share experiences and explore ideas and potential relationships beyond the Symposium itself.

14:30 — Creative Interlude

A creative interlude bringing the focus back to artistic experience following lunch.

This moment creates space to pause, experience and reflect — moving the programme from discussing what theatre and creativity can make possible to encountering creative practice as part of the day itself.

14:45 — The Big Conversation

A facilitated conversation bringing together perspectives and ideas from across the day.

Artists, partners, practitioners and attendees will be invited to consider some of the questions emerging from the Symposium:

What can theatre make possible?

Where can it create connection?

How can artistic practice contribute to changing the way we encounter and talk about mental health?

The conversation will create space for exchange between different perspectives and consider what might be carried forward from the day.

15:05 — THEATRUM ANIMI Campaign Launch

The official launch of the European THEATRUM ANIMI awareness-raising campaign .

The Dublin Symposium marks the beginning of the campaign’s activation across the THEATRUM ANIMI partnership, with organisations across Europe beginning to share and adapt campaign content through their own channels and communities.

15:15 — Break

15:35 — Creative Interlude

A final creative moment within the Symposium programme, creating space for reflection as the day draws towards its close.

The interlude brings the focus back to artistic experience, connection and the possibilities created through creativity.

15:50 — Closing Remarks

Reflections on the conversations, creative moments and connections that have emerged throughout the Symposium, alongside a look towards the next stage of THEATRUM ANIMI and the continued European collaboration.

16:00–17:00 — Networking Reception

An informal reception offering attendees, artists, partners and speakers an opportunity to continue conversations from the day, make connections and exchange ideas.

 

Who is it for?

The symposium is open to anyone interested in the relationship between theatre, creativity and mental health.

We particularly welcome people working across theatre and the wider arts, mental health services, policy, research, community and cultural organisations, as well as people with lived experience and those interested in learning more about creative approaches to mental health.

With the support of: