Castlerea Musical Society Stage School Begins

After weeks of anticipation and excitement, the Castlerea Musical Society Youth Stage School got underway on Saturday morning, 17th September with approx. 100 children taking part. It had been planned to run one session on a Saturday morning, but demand was such that two sessions with 50 children in each will run for 12 weeks, culminating in a variety presentation before Christmas.

The school covers the areas of drama, singing and dance under the guidance of Sharon Mannion (drama), Norma Egan (singing) and Katrina Regan Bouchier (dance) respectively. Children aged 6 - 10 take part in the early morning session and the 11 - 16 age group take part in a later session.

Sharon has just co-founded a theatre company, Gemini II Productions which recently sold out their debut production for one week in Andrews Lane Studio, Dublin and has "Fair City", "Ros na Run" and "Dancing At Lughnasa" among her TV and film credits.

Norma has been teaching piano in the Strokestown area since 1989 and is presently choir director in Tulsk. She has worked with choirs which have competed in the Community Games All-Ireland final and has directed two musicals for Scoil Mhuire in Strokestown. She was also an accompanist for the Roscommon Rose Of Tralee event.

Katrina, from Boyle, has a Diploma in Dance and a Degree in Fine Art and has worked for the Mary McDonagh School Of Dance in Sligo. As a freelance choreographer she has worked with children all over the country, choreographing musicals and teaching workshops in various dance forms.

To see more photographs from the first day of the Stage School, check out the "Photos" section.