If you are looking for drama and acting classes for children and young people in Letterkenny, An Grianán Youth Theatre is the place for you!
Our classes run from September to June every year with the usual breaks at midterm and school holidays.
When you join An Grianán Youth Theatre, you’ll get to experience an exciting year of theatre-making, performance, and play.
So if you’re ready to explore, create, and challenge yourself in a supportive and imaginative environment, come join us. The year is yours to help shape – bring open minds, curious spirits, and plenty of energy. Let’s make something amazing!
Lead facilitator: Niamh McPhillips
Senior Youth Theatre
Suitable for ages 13 to 18
September to June
Times:
Wednesdays
4.30pm to 6pm – Brennan (ages 13-15)
6pm to 7.30pm – Friel (ages 15+)
Thursdays
6pm to 7.30pm – McGuinness (seniors overflow class)
Junior Youth Theatre
Suitable for ages 7 to 12
September to June
Times:
Thursdays
4pm to 5pm – Enya (ages 7 to 9)
5pm to 6pm – Cusack (ages 10 to 12)
About An Grianán Youth Theatre
An Grianán Youth Theatre is An Grianán Theatre’s resident youth theatre and offers weekly classes for children and young people ages 7+. Classes are centred on learning through creative play and offer an inventive mix of drama games and acting exercises.
Students are encouraged to improvise and creatively engage with the material provided by our tutors, sometimes from prepared scripts and sometimes from work devised entirely by the students.
Being a member of a youth theatre allows opportunities for both creative and personal development through acting, drama and other performance techniques. Students will learn more about their own voices and movements as well as observing others through play and theatre games. Drama can also help to build confidence and to develop communication and co-operation skills.
Joining An Grianán Youth Theatre offers you the added bonus of learning theatre skills and stage craft in a professional theatre environment with access to highly trained facilitators, technical crew and equipment.
With an emphasis on performance, you’ll be offered an insight into many aspects of professional theatre production. Our youth theatre is also an ideal stepping stone for those of you wishing to go on to study acting, theatre and performing arts at third level.
Our youth theatre productions vary in scale from informal end of year showcases to full scale stage productions like The Secret Garden (2024), A Vampire Story (2022), The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (2018), Blackadder Goes Forth (2017) and immersive theatre productions like Bugsy Malone (2020), and Alice’s Adventure’s in Wonderland (2019). We occasionally delve into film with projects like The Monologues and short films for ReadDL.
Youth Theatre Ireland
We are an affiliate member of Youth Theatre Ireland, the national organisation for youth theatres in Ireland, which means our members get the opportunity to take part in YTI events like the National Festival of Youth Theatres in Kilkenny, Youth Theatre Island and the Young Critics programme.
What to Expect
Every year, our programme is shaped by our members in conjunction with our lead facilitator Niamh, and our content varies from year to year.
Typical activities can include:
Theatre-Making & Devising:
Explore how to build original theatre from the ground up, using your voices, ideas, and stories. Learn how to devise pieces from scratch, develop characters, and bring powerful narratives to life on stage.
Movement Techniques:
Get physical with movement-based training, including:
- Laban Techniques – understand how your body communicates meaning
- Clowning & Commedia dell’Arte – discover your inner fool and explore physical comedy with centuries-old traditions
Mask & Puppetry Work:
Learn the art of mask performance and delve into the magical world of puppetry from making your own puppets to bringing them to life in performance.
Improvisation & On-Camera Work:
Hone your improv skills and build confidence through games, exercises, and unscripted scenes.
- Self-Taping – learn how to present yourself on camera
- Filming – work on projects that may end up on screen, not just the stage
Performances & Public Events:
Our year isn’t just about learning, it’s about doing. Expect opportunities to perform at major community events, including:
- Cruinniú na nÓg
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Derry Halloween Festival
- Letterkenny Pride Parade
And perhaps a few surprises along the way!
When are classes?
Senior youth theatre classes are on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Junior classes are on Thursday evenings.
How long is term?
Classes run during term time, September to June. We usually don’t have classes during midterm break or school holidays unless we are working on a special project. When we are getting close to show time, we sometimes schedule additional rehearsal time in addition to regular classes.
I’ve never taken acting classes before. Can I still join senior youth theatre?
Yes! Beginners are very welcome.
I’m 12 but already in secondary school. Which class do I join?
We recommend trying out for senior youth theatre.
What should I wear?
Our classes can be very active – you should wear loose, comfortable clothes and suitable footwear.
