The Drama Den is based in the New Community Centre in Cappagh Park, Knocknacarra, and it offers classes for children of all ages, from three years upwards.
There are a limited number of places available in each of the new classes. The 14 week term commences on the week of September 8 with free introductary classes on September 9 and 12 for people who wish to try them out.
At The Drama Den, the staff are passionate about teaching drama and firmly believe that participating in drama classes can help students to grow and develop socially, creatively, emotionally, and intellectually. Whether young or old, shy or extroverted, drama is for everyone.
As well as having fun, the drama classes encourage students to explore their creativity and embrace their imagination. Engaging with others in a safe and cooperative setting encourages increased social skills and self-confidence. Through drama one learns to explore the way other people think, feel, and communicate, helping to understand others and oneself on a higher level. Students can opt to take speech and drama classes following the syllabus outlined by the Irish Board of Speech and Drama, or performance workshop classes where the emphasis is on acting and performance skills.
The director of the school, Bairbre de Barra, has a wealth of experience both in drama and in teaching and is excited to be bringing this new drama school to Galway. Bairbre de Barra has worked for many years as a professional actress, and she has experience teaching and facilitating drama workshops and classes throughout the country.
As well as having a masters degree in theatre and drama from NUI Galway, de Barra is a fully qualified primary school teacher, with a postgraduate diploma in education, and she has been teaching locally for 10 years. Although she has been facilitating drama workshops in schools and community groups since 2001, she has been teaching speech and drama since 2007. Bairbre de Barra is also fully trained as a yoga teacher, and incorporates aspects of yoga, such as relaxation and focusing techniques, as well as simple movement sequences in her teaching.
As a performer, Bairbre de Barra has appeared in a vast array of roles, both in film and television, and on stage. She has trained and performed with such renowned companies as Barabbas, Branar Téatar, Fíbín Teo, Catastrophe Theatre Company, and Graffiti Educational Theatre Company. As well as playing leading roles in a number of shows on the stages of the Dublin Fringe Festival, she has performed in a number of plays as part of the Galway Arts Festival. Galwegians may also have seen her in past productions by Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe and on TG4, in Ros na Rún and Aifric.
For further information regarding classes and schedule, visit www.thedramaden.ie or call Bairbre de Barra at 086 3357097.
