5 Kildare schools make the final shortlist for national dramatic arts awards

Five Kildare schools, along with three talented students, have been shortlisted for this year's Bord Gáis Student Theatre Awards that will be presented on May 17.

The national awards recognise exceptional talent in performance arts all over Ireland, and they will be presented by 2FM DJ Eoghan McDermott at an event in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on May 17, while some schools will get the chance to perform live on stage on front of a large crowd.

Scoil Mochua in Cellbridge has been shortlisted in the Best Overall School Musical category for its production of ‘Annie Junior’. Judges praised the performance by fourth, fifth and sixth class students and said the cast “were brilliant”.

Scoil Mochua has also been shortlisted in the Best Choreography category for the same production of ‘Annie Junior’. Judges commended the choreography and how the students “worked together as a team”.

St. Laurence’s N.S. in Athy has been shortlisted in the Best Original Production category for its production of ‘Michael D and the Tayto Factory’. Judges praised the performance by fifth and sixth class students for their “wonderful sense of comedic timing”.

St. Brigid’s Primary School in Kildare Town has been shortlisted in the Best Musical Number category for its performance of Anchors Away in the school production of ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’ by fifth and sixth class students. Judges commented it “was so much fun to watch because of the great acting skills”.

Fifth class student Anna Leavy from St. Brigid’s Primary School has also been shortlisted in the Best Female Performance in a Leading Role category for her performance as Pearl Periwinkle in the school production of ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’. Judges noted that Anna “anchored the show with a very strong performance”.

Fourth year student Ally Hobbs from Maynooth Post Primary School has been shortlisted in the Best Female Performance in a Leading Role category for her performance as Eva Perón in the production of ‘Evita’. Judges commented that Ally had “poise, grace and substance like the real Eva herself”.

Sixth year student Hugh Keogh from Schoil Mhuire Community School in Clane has been shortlisted in the Best Short Scene Script category for his script titled ‘CAT’. Judges commended Hugh for his “cleverly written piece that captured the judges attention”.

This year’s judging panel comprised of actress 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.

Commenting on the shortlist Irene Gowing from Bord Gáis Energy said: “Year on year the standard of entries blows us away, and this year has been no different! Entries across all categories have been so impressive meaning this year’s judges have had a very difficult task trying to narrow down our shortlist. On behalf of the judging panel, I would like to thank all of the Kildare schools who entered and congratulate the five schools shortlisted! We look forward to seeing them at the Awards ceremony on the 17 May 2017.”