Yvonne Coughlan

Writer | Director | Producer | Arts Facilitator
Bringing stories to life through theatre, film, and music

About

Founder & Artistic Director | RSVP (Red Sandstone Varied Productions)

Yvonne Coughlan, MA Theatre & Drama Studies, is a multi-disciplinary artist from Kinsale, Co. Cork. Since founding RSVP (Red Sandstone Varied Productions) in 2006, she has led immersive arts participation projects across theatre, film, and music-engaging artists and communities across Ireland and internationally. Yvonne fundamentally believes in the healing power of art.

โœจ "Art is an open invitation, an ongoing conversation between creators and audiences, professionals and participants, that inspires all to greater things; whether it be excellence in art, or, more notably, life choices." Yvonne Coughlan.

From site-specific theatre to music videos, short films, and radio storytelling, Yvonneโ€™s work is a fusion of creative disciplines, inviting both professional and community artists to collaborate in powerful, innovative ways.

๐Ÿ“ Worked in: Ireland, England, Scotland, Greece, Norway, Poland, Germany, USA, and Australia.

Arts Participation & Creative Projects

...Highlights...

๐ŸŽญ Theatre

  • Kinsale Youth Theatre Project โ€“ Founder & Chairperson, mentoring young artists.

  • Promenade & Site-Specific Theatre โ€“ Engaging audiences in unexpected spaces.

  • Community-Devised Productions โ€“ Co-creating theatre with local and international groups.

๐ŸŽฌ Film

  • Short Film: 'Regret' โ€“ In pre-production.

  • Documentary, Educational & Art Film โ€“ Working with diverse voices to tell real stories.

  • Music Video & Promotional Film โ€“ Showcasing artists and local culture.

  • Connections-Make a film in 4 days- An arts participatory project.

๐ŸŽถ Music & Multidisciplinary Arts

  • Kinsale Halloween Committee โ€“ Blending live music, theatre, and spectacle 2014-current.

  • A Night on The Town- a musical written and directed by Yvonne in 2018.

  • The Gathering-RSVP- Irish heArts a multidisciplinary promenade through Kinsale in 2013.

  • The Haunted History Tour- Yvonne's first professional production in 2006.

Recent & Notable Work

๐ŸŽƒ Kinsale Halloween An Tulca Festival

๐Ÿ“ Festival Producer | Supported by Eli Lilly, Pure Cork, Fรกilte Ireland, and Cork County Arts Office.

A community-driven festival, combining participatory parades, theatre, live performances, and immersive storytelling, making Kinsale the heartbeat of Irelandโ€™s Samhain celebrations.

๐ŸŽค The Opposite of Queer Trauma

๐Ÿ“ Creative Producer

A groundbreaking vocal art project by artist Yvon Bonenfant., supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, exploring the healing power of voice through participatory performance.

๐ŸŽ„ The Lord Mayorโ€™s Gala Christmas Concert

๐Ÿ“ Director | 2023 & 2024 (contracted for 2025)

An inclusive, multicultural choral event blending traditional and contemporary holiday music, uniting artists from diverse backgrounds.

Leadership & Advocacy

  • ๐ŸŽญ Chairperson โ€“ Dance Cork Firkin Crane & Inclusive Dance Cork

  • ๐ŸŽจ Coordinator โ€“ The National Campaign for the Arts (Cork South West)

  • ๐ŸŽฌ Mentor & Facilitator โ€“ Kinsale Youth Theatre Project

Through these roles, Yvonne actively supports youth arts, disability inclusion, and the expansion of Irelandโ€™s artistic landscape.

โœจ "Art comes in at the heart." Yvonne Coughlan.

Media & Gallery

๐Ÿ“ธ Behind the Scenes & Productions
(Click to explore photo highlights from RSVP previous work!)

Photo Credit John Allen Images.

  • Promo pics from The Haunted History Tour 2007, A Night on The Town 2018.

  • Halloween Parade magic in action.

  • Behind the scenes film making.

  • Community projects, Seasonal family promenades.

  • Performance shot We all Mourn, part of Irish heArts 2013.

๐ŸŽฅ Watch: (Videos of past productions and project highlights.)

Get in Touch

๐Ÿ’Œ Letโ€™s collaborate! Whether youโ€™re an artist, producer, or community organiser, Yvonne welcomes creative partnerships.

๐Ÿ“ง Email: rsvpireland@gmail.com
๐Ÿ“ž Phone: 00353-(0)86-0479228