Download The Lir, the new National Academy of Dramatic Arts is announcing

Press Release Friday 10th September 2010
Waiting in the Wings:
New prestigious acting academy, The Lir, announces Call for Students for
Bachelor in Acting
After a year of planning and development, The Lir, National Academy of Dramatic Art
at Trinity College Dublin, today announced that the application process is open for
the inaugural 2011/2012 Bachelor in Acting course. The landmark Academy’s aim is
to train young actors, designers, directors, playwrights, stage managers and theatre
technicians to the highest international standards for careers in theatre, film, TV and
radio.
Prof. Brian Singleton of TCD’s School of Drama, Film and Music, the first
Academic Director of The Lir, said that the audition process for the Acting course is
open to everyone regardless of education or background.
“This is a really exciting day for us: a new academy, a new course, a new
website, and a new building ... and our commitment to ensure a bright future for the
performing arts in Ireland. We expect that students will come from very diverse
backgrounds and we will assess them on the basis of exceptional natural talent, not
academic qualifications. Prospective students can apply via the form available at
www.thelir.ie. We’ll then invite them to attend an audition in which we’ll want them to
present both a classical and contemporary monologue, followed by a short interview.
Those students who show natural talent and a potential for training will be invited to
further rounds of auditions where they will be assessed as part of an ensemble”.
The Lir was developed by the partnership of Trinity College Dublin and the Cathal
Ryan Trust and is formally associated with the world-renowned Royal Academy of
Dramatic Art (RADA). Attending the announcement, Edward Kemp, Director of
RADA, said that the standards required for a world-class training institution were
being set from day one.
“The training offered by The Lir will be of the highest level of international
professional practice and will be closely linked to the ever-changing needs and
directions of the industry. It will be provided by professionals with extensive
experience of the industry and will be supplemented by guest lectures and
workshops from leading international figures of stage and screen.”
Speaking on behalf of the Cathal Ryan Trust, Danielle Ryan, a RADA graduate, said
that plans were in full swing for the opening of The Lir in the autumn of 2011.
“We’ve started the building of the refurbished, state-of-the-art premises for
The Lir this week. It’s situated in the Trinity Technology and Enterprise Campus at
Grand Canal Dock and close to the exciting new cultural quarter of Dublin around the
Grand Canal Theatre. Designed by Smith Kennedy Architects specifically for the
range of courses, there’ll be a flexible black box studio, as well as two further
performance studios, a dance studio, technical workshop, and a range of flexible
teaching spaces. At night, we plan for The Lir to open its doors to the public and offer
a wide variety of graduating performances, films, exhibitions, readings, and lectures,”
she said.
The creation of The Lir has been widely welcomed by the industry, with leading
names such as Pierce Brosnan saying it will be a massive positive step for the
sector: “What a grand idea, and one long overdue for the landscape of our country
and her talent. I am sure you will do great things for many years and decades to
come.”
Commenting on the announcement, Loughlin Deegan, Artistic Director of the Dublin
Theatre Festival, said: “The call for students by The Lir Academy marks an historic
day in the history of theatre training in Ireland. With the generosity of its vision and
thoughtfulness of its programmes, the Academy itself has the potential to transform
the Irish theatrical landscape in powerful and radical ways.”
Director Patrick Mason added: "The founding of the Academy is an enlightened and
hugely encouraging initiative. It has the potential to enrich and enhance Irish theatre
practice for generations to come. Its opening in 2011 is a very welcome development
which could not have come at a better time - a bright hope on the theatrical horizon."
The inaugural Board of The Lir has been appointed and will be chaired by
communications and technology entrepreneur, Dermot McCrum.
The board members include Michael Colgan, Harry Crosbie, Michael Marsh, Ian
Mathews, Anne Mulcahy and Danielle Ryan. The academy’s Artistic Director will be
appointed in early 2011.
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
For images, CGI Graphics of the build and further media information contact Jenny
or Kate at Kate Bowe PR – 01 652 0143; [email protected];
[email protected]
All courses taught by The Lir lead to degrees and diplomas awarded by the
University of Dublin (Trinity College). Students on the courses will also be full-time
students of Trinity College and will have access to the range of services that the
College provides. Undergraduate courses are eligible for fee remission.
The Lir also expects to launch the first of its postgraduate courses, Master in Fine Art
(Playwriting) in November 2010 (to commence in September 2011), followed by
further MFA specialisms in Directing, Lighting Design and Stage Design to
commence in 2013. A range of exciting new part-time, evening and weekend
courses will be announced shortly.
The Cathal Ryan Trust in association with Trinity College Dublin and RADA has
developed the Academy. The Trust’s Development Company will manage and fund
the refurbishment of the Academy building, and the consultancy services of RADA
for the next 5 years, as well as setting up an Enabling Fund which will allow the
Academy to do things that might not otherwise be possible within its day-to-day
budget.