Irish Theatre Summer School

Course details

Study Abroad for the Summer at the National Theatre School of Ireland. A set of practical acting workshops and seminars carefully designed to place the writers in both a theatrical and literary context, developing an understanding of the historical and literary background of selected texts from each writer. The theatrical essence of the work will be explored and performed. Final evening is a showcase of selected scenes from the various plays studied.

Cultural visits to Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty Library, Trinity College, the Irish Writers Museum, Hugh Lane Gallery, the National Gallery, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, James Joyce Tower in Sandycove, Viking at St. Michan’s Church and evening theatre performances.

Week 1: Lectures focused on the Irish literary tradition and on contemporary Irish theatre. Acting classes focused on practical exploration of acting techniques and short scene studies, with emphasis on Samuel Beckett.

Week 2: Work and lectures focused on John Millington Synge, William Butler Yeats and George Bernard Shaw.

Week 3:Focused on the work of Sean O’Casey, will start preparing short scenes for presentation in the final week.

Week 4: Focused on contemporary Irish playwrights: Brian Friel, Marina Carr, Conor McPherson, and Martin McDonagh. Exploration of Irish films: ‘Michael Collins’, ‘The Field’, ‘The Snapper’, ‘The Commitments’ and ‘Playboy of the Western World’. Rehearsals and final showcase.