Workshops planned for dram summer school

A WEEK-long programme of workshops for up-and-coming actors, directors and scriptwriters is being organised for the Drama League of Ireland Summer School at the University of Limerick from July 31 to August 7.

This is the 45th year of the summer school, which provides a range of courses in acting, directing and scriptwriting for about 140 adults who immerse themselves in the work for the week and is the foremost amateur drama academy in the country.
DLI Summer School is grant-aided by the Arts Council and art offices throughout the country offer scholarships and bursaries to it.
The chairman of the Drama League of Ireland is Ennis man, Jackie Scanlan of Ennis Players, who won the best actor award at the RTÉ Open Drama finals.
“The ingredients for a perfect week are that you learn as much as you can and enjoy the craic and festivities in equal measure. This year we are delighted to welcome our line-up of innovative, talented and knowledgeable tutors, all theatre practitioners who are highly regarded in their particular fields.
This year sees the return of our gracious, glamorous icons Anne Mekitarian (director) and Jane Leslie (assistant director). They will be available throughout the week to help, in any way they can, to make this a worthwhile experience for you. Their preparation and attention to detail will ensure that the week is a great success,” he said.
Director Anne Mekitarian said that theatre director and drama teacher, Daniela Peleanu Hardie is an “absolute find” for organisers of the DLI Summer School this year. Originally from Bucharest, Daniela is now based in London. Her productions at RADA and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival have been critically acclaimed in the British press. She will facilitate a course at the school, entitled The European Dimension for actors and directors with some experience.
Other courses in the line-up include Presence in Action with Aiden Condron, specifically for actors who want to push out the physical and vocal boundaries. A highly experienced actor, director and teacher, he has appeared in Fair City, as well as The Tudors and Saving Private Ryan, and has conducted workshops with actors and dancers in Ireland and Europe.
Young director Wayne Jordan, who is currently working on a new production of The Plough and the Stars for the Abbey, will also make his debut at the summer school. His course, Feel the Fear, will be challenging for directors alike as they try to find new ways to address class plays.
For fledgling actors with little or no experience there are still some places available on Get Up and Do It with tutor Catherine Simon. This will be a practical hands-on course, using improvisation and devising to help participants experience the satisfaction and fulfilment drama can give.
“The summer school offers courses in basic acting and basic directing, in a physical approach to Shakespeare, in European theatre, in scriptwriting and in exposure to the expertise of top-class professional theatre practitioners. There will be a full extra-curricular social programme, including a master class in aspects of clown, with Raymond Keane, from Barabbas, The Company,” Ms Mekitarian added.
Further details of the courses are currently on the website www.dli.ie. Queries may be emailed to annemek@eircom.net or summerschool@dli.ie or to Jane at 087 1238631.