UL gets dramatic with summer school

A WEEK spent at a Drama League of Ireland (DLI) Residential Summer School is good for body and soul. That’s typical of the reaction from satisfied participants who attend the event held annually at the University of Limerick.
The DLI is the national body that promotes and fosters all aspects of amateur drama in Ireland. Supported by the Arts Council, the DLI offers a wide range of services and network support, including its summer school, which takes place at UL from July 30 to August 6.
The DLI is a not-for-profit organisation, with charitable status, run by volunteers, who strive to make the week special. Enthusiasts, all ages, all backgrounds nationwide, return annually for their drama ‘fix’ and always go home with some new skill, knowledge or expertise to share with a local group or community. 
The summer school is quite literally a dramatic experience from beginning to end. Consider a week where every waking moment is immersed in drama; where mundane cares, anxieties, worries fade into the background; where the focus is on you alone: not on your partner, your family, your job; where no-one cares about your appearance, your age, your gender; where your soul, your imagination, your talent are all that matters. Some have described it as a life-changing experience.
Now in its 46th year, it is the longest running summer school of its kind in the country. There are six different courses on offer with top-class professional tutors to inspire the participants and share their expertise.
There are courses for actors and directors at all levels – from mere beginners to the highly experienced.  
Emma Colohan, currently rehearsing with Focus, will take on first-time actors; while Thomas Conway of Druid will guide and instruct inexperienced directors.  
Actors who want to specialise might like to try Theatre of Clown with Veronica Coburn, founding member of Barabbas or sign up with Lecoq-trained Andy Crook for some psychophysical activity – Stanislavsky meets Lecoq.  Pádraic McIntyre, artistic director of Livin’Dred, will present a stimulating and pragmatic course for experienced directors and actors. The ever-popular Chrissie Poulter, formerly of TCD and now head of media, film and culture at Leeds Trinity University College, fronts a course for actors and directors, aimed at getting maximum depth from a role, from a scene, from a production.
DLI school also provides a full social extra-curricular programme including an evening workshop with Abbey Theatre voice coach, Andrea Ainsworth. Full details of all courses are on the DLI website at www.dli.ie.