The theatre company was first established in 1994 by Artistic Director Darren Thornton. Since then the company has produced eighteen professional shows, including eight original works. Calipo prides itself on its ability to produce innovative contemporary plays for a young audience. Calipo’s core target audience is between the ages of 16 and 32; this is opposite to the national trend for theatre in Ireland. And this is the audience that consistently comes back to see Calipo’s work.
Calipo utilises three key components when approaching the creation of new work – technology, new writing, and access & participation.
Calipo is a company best known to date for its stylish use of mixed-media. The company always harnesses the best in terms of film production and sound design when producing new work.
Since 1998 Calipo has focused primarily on producing original work; supporting emerging writers is a fundamental part of the company’s artistic policy and in 2005 Calipo set up the page2stage project, a new writing initiative for first time playwrights. Frequently new writing commissions will begin with a devising process that allows the writer to workshop his or her ideas with a team of actors and designers. This process allows for the design team to play a role in the writing process and affords the writer the opportunity to bounce ideas off actors in a safe environment.
Calipo produces dynamic theatre that is relevant to and for a younger audience and giving this audience the opportunity to play a role in the artistic process is another key factor. The company has an outreach facilitation team, and with certain productions Calipo will facilitate a workshop programme that runs in tandem with the show, exploring the themes that are highlighted within the play.
