The wait is almost over for the two Mayo schools who have been nominated for the Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards, which will take place on Wednesday next, May 17 in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
The schools from Mayo nominated for the awards are Manulla National School and St Joseph's Primary School in Ballinrobe. Manulla National School was shortlisted in the 'Best Set' category for its set creation in the production of Hoodwinked by fourth, fifth, and sixth class students. Judges commented that they “loved the way that all the students came together to create a beautifully vivid and realistic set”. Fifth class student Ally Nestor from St Joseph’s Primary School in Ballinrobe has been shortlisted in the Best Female Performance in a Leading Role category for her performance as The News Reporter in the production The Peace Child. Judges noted Ally “was larger than life and made the top character totally believable and real”.
Next Wednesday, shortlisted primary and secondary school students from across the country will gather at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for a special awards ceremony where the winners will be announced. RTÉ presenter Eoghan McDermott will host the event with selected schools getting the opportunity to perform on Ireland’s largest theatre stage on the day, making it a magical experience they won’t forget.
This is the fourth year of the hugely successful awards which were set up by Bord Gáis Energy to recognise and reward participation in the dramatic arts in schools around Ireland. More than 1,000 schools have taken part in the awards since their launch in 2013 and last year saw more than 2,000 students from counties across Ireland attend the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for the celebratory awards ceremony.
This year’s judging panel comprises actress and author Amy Huberman, Dancing with the Stars Aoibhín Garrihy, best-selling novelist Sinéad Moriarty, writer and storyteller Dave Rudden, theatre designer Monica Frawley, manager of the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Stephen Faloon, and Bord Gáis Energy sponsorship programme manager Tanya Townsend.
