The First Class of Acting Students of The Lir Graduate

Posted on: 02 December 2014

After three years of intensive training, students from The Lir, Ireland’s National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity College Dublin, have just graduated with a Bachelor in Acting degree. These 15 students who were the first intake into The Lir finished their training in July and have already secured roles at Druid Theatre Company, at The Lyric in Belfast, at The Abbey and The Gaiety Dublin, in various productions in Dublin Theatre Festival, at The Globe in London, The Donmar Warehouse, London and Park Theatre, London.

The Lir Academy was created because of a genuine requirement within the Irish theatre, TV and film industries for actors, directors, playwrights and designers to be trained to international standards. The brainchild of Trinity’s Samuel Beckett Chair of Drama & Theatre, Professor Brian Singleton and Danielle Ryan, The Lir has delivered admirably on that original vision with a custom-designed building, enlightened direction from Loughlin Deegan and highly acclaimed Irish and international directors, actors, voice coaches, movement tutors, playwrights, technical experts and designers to work with the students throughout their training. The Lir Academy has developed their courses in association with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA.)

“This is a momentous occasion for The Lir and Trinity, and to be celebrating the award of our first Honours Degree in Acting. I’m very proud of the work these students have achieved, which is seen in their success since finishing their course in the summer, and also proud of all the staff at The Lir who have delivered for Trinity first-class training in acting,” said Professor Brian Singleton, also Head of School of Drama, Film and Music and Academic Director at The Lir Academy.

Earlier this year saw the graduation ceremony for students who received a Professional Diploma in Stage Management and Technical Theatre. These students joined the Academy in 2012 and worked alongside the graduating actors to produce eight theatrical productions and two short films, directed and designed by leading theatre professionals, including Conall Morrison, Annabelle Comyn, Wayne Jordan, Selina Cartmell, Hilary Wood, Paul O’Mahoney, Mark Sheridan, Joe Vanek, Rob Burke, Tom Creed, Paul Keogan and Sinead McKenna.

These students have already secured employment with The Gaiety Theatre, The Abbey Theatre, Wexford Festival Opera and Irish Youth Opera.