I know this is short notice but it’s pretty intriguing anyway:

Julian Boal, son of Augusto, who developed Theatre of the Oppressed (TO), is running an introduction to T.O. workshop this Friday night 30th Sept 7.30 to 10pm in Áras na Mac Léinn, NUI, Galway. There are a limited number of places left. Tickets €10. Tickets are available from The Socs Box, Áras na Mac Léinn, Further information 091-492852

Went to Body Electric last night. The venue was Block T, an incredibly difficult to find arts space in Smithfield in Dublin.

The event started with an interactive exhibition of items to do with body, brain and perception. If the instructions had been a bit clearer, this might have worked better. After an intriguing introduction, the audience was invited into a slightly damp-smelling area for the performance. It was a promenade performance. The actors (all men) performed singly and in combinations in different locations in the large space. The audience’s attention was directed to the action by the physical switching on and off of lights.

The theme was the human body, it’s composition, how we use it, how emotions are felt in it, how we abuse it. The script was a mix of lecture, prose and some verse, and the action at times was intensely physical.

Although the audience wasn’t involved in the physical aspects of the performance, we were invited to walk around, witness the performance from different angles and aspects, and to engage in self perception of how emotions are felt physically. Some aspects of the performance were less successful than others, mainly because they seemed contrived and sometimes a little ‘preachy’, but overall, as a Fringe experimental piece, the performance was both enjoyable and informative, and gave one something to think and talk about afterwards.

Over the last few weeks two news items struck me as having a potentially significant affect on the context within which speech & drama operates.

The first was the publication of the Hyland Report and, perhaps more importantly, the holding of a joint NCCA/HEA Conference on the transition from second to third level education. This Conference (details HERE) will be held on Wednesday 21 September and will discuss whether the current system of Leaving Cert points/CAO applications is the most effective [procedure for getting young people into third level education. The Conference will be webcast, so you can follow it from home or work if you want.

The second interesting item related to the Generation 21 initiative by Dublin City University (see HERE). This is effectively a response to potential employers who say that they want graduates  who are ‘good communicators’ and are ‘flexible’.

The significance of these news items is that they represent a potential loosening up of the system, opening up the possibility that skills attained by young people out of school/college (such as communication and drama skills) may begin to have more currency in both the college entry system and as an essential element of a portfolio of skills built up by individual students to present to potential employers.

At the very least, both of these provide additional arguments that can be used to persuade parents of the value of speech, drama and communication (and of doing exams). At best, they may begin to lead to a greater recognition of out-of-school activities in the context of college entry.

I’m planning to get to a few shows over the weekend and early next week. You’ll find the website HERE

The Speech and Drama Teachers of Ireland are holding their Summer School today in the Stillorgan Park Hotel. I’m due to give a presentation on adjudication at the first session.

We’ll also have all our exam materials for the coming year on display AND all our publications.

Take a look at the  Speech and Drama Teachers of Ireland’s new website:

www.speechanddramateachersofireland.ie/

Diploma of Associate in Musical Theatre Entry Form →

Download a copy of the Diploma Syllabus for 2021-22 →

The Irish Board’s Diploma of Associate (Musical Theatre Performance) syllabus provides those who wish to progress further in Musical Theatre with the opportunity to explore the genre and develop their skills.

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a significant level of technical and interpretive skills in the key musical theatre elements of singing, acting and choreographed movement/dance.

Please see our Diploma section for exam dates and closing dates for entries. Examination fees are available here.

 

Eligibility

The candidate must be at least 18 years of age on the date of the examination.

Requirements

1. Introduce and perform from memory a thematically linked programme consisting of 5 performances including

• • three songs from published Musical Theatre works, at least one of which must have been written prior to 1960
  • two spoken items from published Musical Theatre works, or published plays

The programme must include singing, speaking/acting and choreographed movement/dance and contain a significant element of contrast (in mood, style, era and/or genre). The duration of the programme, including introduction, linking script, setting up and clearing away must not exceed 20 minutes.    (70%)

 

2. Submit a Portfolio (of not more than 1500 words) containing a comprehensive study of a character of your choice from a published Musical Theatre work from any period.

The portfolio should contain:

• • information about the composer/author/librettist, period in which the work is set, genre, historical/social context
  • a summary of the plot
  • a description of the character and the character’s relationships with others in the work
  • ideas about staging, costume and make-up
  • comprehensive notes on how you would convey the character convincingly through voice, movement and

The Portfolio must be submitted with the entry form for the examination and will form the basis of a discussion with the examiners.  (20%)

 

3. Discuss with the examiner(s) your musical theatre experience and future plans.  (10%)

 

75% is the mark required to pass the Diploma of Associate in Musical Theatre Performance

Diploma of Associate in Acting Performance Entry Form →

Download a copy of the Diploma Syllabus for 2021-22 →

The Irish Board of Speech and Drama Diploma of Associate in Acting Performance provides an opportunity for candidates who have significant and varied drama experience to be assessed in a wide variety of drama forms.

The syllabus facilitates a candidate to develop his/ her skills, technique and talent in period and modern drama, verse speaking, prose speaking, mime/ movement to music, and sight reading.

Candidates will be expected to display a very high standard of technical and interpretive skills in order to pass the examination.

Please see our Diploma section for exam dates and closing dates for entries. Examination fees are available here.

Eligibility:

The candidate must be at least 18 years of age on the date of the examination.

Requirements:

1. Perform from memory a five minute recital, compiled by the candidate, comprising prose, verse, drama and a linking script (25%)
2. Perform an own choice dramatic selection not to exceed 3 minutes duration from a recognised play written before 1900 (15%)
3. Perform either a character sketch or a dramatic selection from a recognised play written since 1900 (3 minutes) (15%)
4. Perform a mime OR short piece of movement to music choreographed by the candidate (15%)
5. Perform an impromptu improvisation. The subject will be given by the examiner at the examination (2 minutes) (10%)
6. Read at sight a short passage of Shakespeare (10%)
7. Discuss with the examiner(s) your drama experience and future plans (10%)

75% is the mark required to pass the Diploma of Associate in Acting Performance examination.