Stephen supports local productions at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival thanks to the Spotlight Fellowship Bursary

In summer 2026, Stephen Kelly (c21’s Creative Director) was awarded a Spotlight Fellowship Bursary to attend the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Fellowship Programme is part of the Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland event at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The event is delivered by Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI), in collaboration with the Belfast International Arts Festival, and supported by the British Council Northern Ireland and The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Four artists living and working in Northern Ireland were selected for the Fellowship Programme. Designed to support artists, directors and producers, the selected individuals travelled to the Edinburgh Fringe to access the festival, networking and industry insights.

Alongside c21’s own Stephen Kelly, Una NicEoin (Prime Cut Productions), Heather Martin (Belfast Playwrights) and Mar Decena (Multidisciplinary artist/dancer) took part in the Fellowship Programme.

Stephen supported local productions, Aliens, Good with Faces, and The Pitch, all of which received critical acclaim.