GSD announce new autumn schedule with open day this Saturday

GSD School of Drama have announced their new autumn timetable with the first of two open days taking place this Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

The school, which is based in Creative Spark in Muirhevnamor, offers a wide range of courses to suit children of all ages. These courses include speech and drama, creative drama and elocution plus its new tots drama for pre-schoolers.

The school is looking forward to a dramatic year of performance workshops, radio dramas and theatre productions.

GSD also ofers courses for adults in effective communication, public speaking and elocution. ‘Eloquence’ – the adult side of the school – offers people the opportunity to hone their skills, build self-confidence and keep themselves on track.

The school is managed by Geraldine Kieran, an experienced performer, drama facilitator and playwrite. Geraldine trained with the Leinster School of Music and Drama, Trinity Guild Hall and holds a BA in Applied Cultural Studies. Miss Kieran has standard first aid training, is Garda vetted and GSD studios is a safe space for children where they can grow and learn.

Geraldine said: “I’m delighted with how the school is developing. We finally have plenty of courses of offer potential students and parents. The pre-school course means kids can start early and develop core skills in performance. In addition to this our off shot projects are in the early stages of development which will be a wonderful opportunity for attending senior students.

All courses will be starting from Tuesday September 7^th, while GSD also holds courses in surrounding areas such as Philipstown and Cooley.

For more information log on to www.eloquence.ie or pop along to one of the two open days, either this Saturday from 10am to 1pm or on Tuesday September 7^th from 7pm to 8pm.

Reynolds launches new poetry book ‘That’s Life’

Patricia Reynolds with her new poetry book ‘That’s Life’

Haggardstown drama teacher Patricia Reynolds launched her new poetry book ‘That’s Life’ last Saturday in Jackie’s Restaurant on the Dublin Road to a packed audience of family and friends.

Local historian and poet Noel Sharkey launched the event by giving the audience a brief overview of a selection of poems from ‘That’s Life’.

Past members of the Reynolds Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA), Patricia’s stage performance school, supported Patricia by reading her poems and the launch concluded with Patricia reading her final poem ‘That’s Life’ which closes her journey and moves forward with joy, happiness and excitement.

At the launch event Patricia said: “The poems cover different situations and emotions which reflect real life and are a combination of my own life’s living and the experiences of people I have met along the way.

“Often, I see or feel intensely about a scene, a happening, or a story I have heard and I write a poem about it. There is a lot of imagery in my poetry and hopefully when people read the poems, they will be able to sense a picture for themselves.”

That’s Life consists of 24 poems ranging from anorexia, love, suicide, both from the victim’s view point and also from the family left behind. There is joy, blame, birth and death culminating in a new beginning and excitement racing onward and toward a new life.  The message at the front of the book reads, ‘Everyone who has lived comes with baggage. The trick is in learning how to unpack!

That’s Life is Patricia’s fifth book to date. Her first two books Showcase 1 &  2 are plays for children written specifically for the classroom with up to 15 to 30 parts for players from 4-17 yrs of age and is available via www.dramabooks.ie  Her third and fourth book  ‘Trish the Witch’ Book 1 & 2 is aimed at children aged 6 to 10 yrs.

That’s Life is a beautiful poetry book and is available for purchase at a cost of €10 at Carroll’s Bookshop, Longwalk Shopping Centre, Dundalk and Carroll’s Books, Park Street, Dundalk. Alternatively you can purchase online via www.rapadrama.com or email Patricia directly at info@rapadrama.com

Táin Theatre to host iconic images exhibition of Dundalk drama scene

The Town Hall. Picture: Darran Rafferty Photos

An Táin Theatre at the Town Hall will host a collection of iconic images of the Dundalk drama scene from the last century from next week.

The exhibition will launch on Friday July 25^th at 7pm and all are welcome to attend.

The Dance Kids gearing up for Anything Goes

An Táin Theatre is the place to be on Friday the 20^th and Saturday the 21^st of June when the Dance Kids unveil their latest show ‘Anything Goes’.

Never ones to sit still, the Dance Kids have been rehearsing for ‘Anything Goes’ since January, and have promised that this year’s show will be a perfect night out for all the family, with performances to suit all ages.

The talented dancers aged from just four years of age are promising to stage a ‘show-stopping performance’ of the hit classic, ‘Mary Poppins’, as well as many favourites from ‘The Muppets’ and ‘Calamity Jane’.

The night of entertainment will also include hit songs from ‘Little Mix’, ‘Teen Beach Movie’ and Olly Murs. If that wasn’t enough An Táin Theatre will then be transformed into the Emerald City where Glinda and Elphaba perform to the favourites from the Broadway musical ‘Wicked’.

“We are so excited about this year’s show ‘Anything Goes’,” said Freda Hearty.

“Everyone has worked so hard, these kids are so talented and they really know how to put on a show-stopping, first class performance. After the huge success of our sold out Christmas show ‘Jingle All The Way’, ‘Anything Goes’ is going to be the show of the year and is not to be missed. Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.”

‘Anything Goes’ takes place in An Táin Theatre, Dundalk, on the 20th and 21st of June and is not to be missed. Book your tickets today at An Táin Theatre’s box office on 042 9392919.

The Dance Kids also have two exciting summer camps planned, which take place in Kilkerley Community Centre from the 14^th – 18^th of July and in Inniskeen from the 28^th of July until the 1^st of August.

Participants will take part in a number of exciting activities such as dance, costume making, singing, drama, sports, arts and craft and much more.

The summer camp is open to children of all ages and limited places are now available.

Contact Katie on 0830090297 for more information.

Dundalk FM to host open forum regarding radio drama group

Dundalk FM are holding an open forum next Wednesday to explore the idea of setting up a radio drama group at the station.

The event takes place in the studio at 7pm and all are welcome to attend.

According to projects developer, Peter Carroll, people from with all skill sets – either experienced or unexperienced – are required.

“Radio drama is an area of our broadcasting we would like to explore and are looking for any local Thespians with a penchant for the art to join. We are looking for voice actors, directors and writers to bring drama to Dundalk’s airwaves, no experience required – just enthusiasm!

“On the night we hope to create an open forum for ideas and cultivate a radio drama troupe,” he said.