Fringe events for RTE Drama Festival in Athlone
Over the All Ireland Drama Festival, Athlone Art and Heritage joins in with fringe events offering two workshops and two exhibitions. From Saturday 3rd May, an exhibition of photographs recalling the history of the Drama Festival will be on display on the lower ground level of Luan Gallery and Athlone Castle Visitor Centre will welcome the installation of ‘Emotion’: a collaborative collage between the students and staff of Athlone Institute of Technology displayed in the café area.
‘Emotion’ is an expression of artistic release, brought together by the Photography and Visual Art Society and the Design Department at AIT and showcases the talents in AITOn 3rd May Jessica Traynor will deliver a three-hour scriptwriting for stage course in Luan Gallery. Jessica is a writer and dramaturg who works as literary reader at the Abbey Theatre, reading and responding to hundreds of plays per year. She runs creative writing courses through the Big Smoke Writing Factory and the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin.
Participants will cover some of the basic tenets of playwriting and generate ideas for a new play by looking at characterisation, structure and dialogue. This course is ideal for beginners, or those returning to playwriting and looking to kick-start their creativity.
Another exciting workshop will take place on the 8th May, this time on stage combat with Ciaran O’Grady. Ciaran is an actor, stunt performer, stage combat instructor and fight choreographer. He has trained with the Irish Dramatic Combat Academy and the Society of American Fight Directors. He currently teaches stage combat at the Gaiety School of Acting and the Lir Academy of Dramatic Art and has choreographed fights for various stage and screen productions throughout Ireland.
Actor Ciaran O’Grady asked: 'Have you ever watched an epic fight scene in a movie and thought 'I wish I could do that'? In this course you will have the chance to step into the world of film and stage combat. I will teach the fundamentals of stage fighting in this unique workshop so everyone will be able to be in their own fight scene!’
Emilia Krysztofiak, Luan Gallery said: 'We are delighted to present this opportunity to the budding writers and future stunt artists in the community as part of the Fringe Festival. Places are limited for these workshops and a high level of interest is expected. Pre booking is advised to avoid disappointment.'
Temporary exhibitions will run in Athlone Castle and Luan Gallery from 3rd May until the 11th May.
Workshops:
Playwriting workshop with Jessica Traynor Saturday 3rd May 10am – 1pm at Luan Gallery
Stage Combat workshop with Ciaran O’Grady Thursday 8th May 10am – 1pm in Athlone Castle
Places for workshops are limited (€10 per person), pre booking is required on 090 6442154
For more information contact Luan Gallery directly.