Performing Arts students at IT Sligo got a boost recently when Senator Fiach MacConghail, Artistic Director of Dublin’s Abbey Theatre dropped in to see at first hand the work of theatre design students at the Institute.
Senator MacConghail was very enthusiastic about the potential of the IT Sligo students, who are doing the only full time specialised BA honours degree Theatre Design course in the country.
He also attended a performance by fourth year acting students and engaged in a lively Question and Answer session with students and staff. Topics covered included the role of the National Theatre, the reality of working in the theatre business today, and the central place of cultural activity in Ireland’s economy and society.
The very successful visit builds on the links the Institute has already developed with the National Theatre. Four students from the Performing Arts programme have already experienced the thrill of working in the area of theatre design at the Abbey Theatre, two on professional work placements and two as employees.
One student, Fiona Ryan, had the good fortune to work with celebrated American playwright and director Sam Shepard who has himself developed a very close relationship with the Abbey. Fiona’s stint at the Abbey coincided with the production period of Shepard’s play, “Curse of the Starving Class” giving her the opportunity to see one of the US’s most important playwrights at work. Another student, Clara Kane worked on a production of Brian Friel’s “Translations” at the Abbey.
“It was a wonderful opportunity for both Fiona and Clara to work alongside the professionals on such important productions,” said Frank Conway lecturer on the Theatre Design course.
Frank, himself a former Head of Design at the Abbey who has also worked in film and theatre in Ireland and abroad, believes that the experience of working in Ireland’s historic national theatre has provided graduates and under graduates from IT Sligo with valuable insight into theatre design.
Staff at the Abbey Theatre have been keeping a close eye on the theatre design students from IT Sligo and last June its Technical Director Gavin Harding opened the 2011 graduate exhibition in The Model Arts Centre.
Speaking afterwards he described the visit as a revelation. “What I saw in the final year students’ work was staggering,” he enthused. “The group presented a range of designs that were clear, effective and supported the plays in exactly the right way”.
Mr Harding pointed out that the course was “unique in Ireland” and said it was developing well rounded and inspired designers who can deliver on all the essential elements of theatre design.
Frank Conway who worked on the Jim Sheridan-directed film version of “The Field” pointed out that until the IT Sligo Theatre Design course was established, every Irish designer was UK-trained. “Myself and most of my contemporaries trained in London,” he explained. “There was opportunity to train in Ireland at the time. I think that is why there is such enthusiasm in the Abbey for what we are doing here “.
For more information see http://courses.itsligo.ie/business-humanities-courses/performing-arts/ba-hons-in-performing-arts-sg-241/
Image Captions;
First Image; Senator Fiach MacConghail, Artistic Director of Dublin’s Abbey Theatre, pictured with lecturers and students of the BA in Performing Arts at IT Sligo.
Second Image; Frank Conway lecturer in the Theatre Design at IT Sligo.
Third Image; Abbey Theatre Technical Director Gavin Harding at the opening of the graduate exhibition in The Model last year.