The Lir Academy
The Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin
The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art
at Trinity College Dublin first opened its
doors in 2011 as a result of a genuine need
for actors, directors, playwrights, theatre
technicians, stage managers and
designers to be trained to international
standards. Offering three undergraduate
courses, three postgraduate courses and
over twenty short courses, The Lir is
delivering admirably on its ambitious
objectives and is already having a very
positive effect on the national and
international theatre, TV and film industries.
It is situated on Pearse Street at Grand
Canal Quay in Dublin, less than a 15
minute walk from the main Trinity College
Dublin campus. The Lir Academy is part of
Trinity College and has RADA, the Royal
Academy of Dramatic Art in London, as its
international advisors.
Applying to The Lir
The application process for the undergraduate courses has
now opened and will close on 1st February 2016. Everyone
who applies for the Acting degree or the Foundation Diploma
in Acting and Theatre will automatically get an audition.
Everyone who applies for the Professional Diploma in Stage
Management and Technical Theatre will automatically get an
interview. Application forms for all undergraduate courses can
be downloaded from The Lir’s website. You cannot apply for an
undergraduate course at The Lir Academy via CAO or UCCA.
Entry is not based on the points system, it is based on talent
and experience. The Lir does, however, adhere to the
matriculation set out by Trinity College Dublin.
For the first time, The Lir will be holding auditions and
interviews in both Belfast and London for entry onto 2016
courses. The auditions in Belfast will be held at The Lyric
Theatre on 1st February 2016.
Applying for the Acting Degree or the Foundation
Diploma in Acting and Theatre at The Lir
Students need to register online, choose their audition date,
download the application form and return it completed to the
administrator at The Lir. Once this has been done confirmation
will be sent regarding the date, time and location of the
audition. In order to prepare for the audition, students are asked
to prepare three monologues. Two monologues (a classical and
a contemporary monologue) will be delivered on the day of the
audition and the third monologue will act as a reserve in case
the panel ask for an alternative. If the student is successful,
he/she will progress to the second round audition which will
Postgraduate and short courses at The Lir
The Lir currently offers three postgraduate courses, Playwriting,
Stage Design and Theatre Directing. Applications for these
courses are via Trinity College Dublin and students must have
a degree and experience to be accepted onto these courses.
The short courses at The Lir include a one day audition
preparation workshop and four day audition masterclass for
anyone applying to study acting at The Lir or similar drama
school. During the summer months a range of one week, two
week and four week courses are offered including, I A Clown,
the Young Actor’s Programme, Musical Theatre Intensive and
BellTIME
consist of a half day workshop culminating in the delivery of the
original monologues to a panel.
The successful students will then progress to the final round of
auditions consisting of a full day of training, similar to a day’s
training for full time students at The Lir. This session will include
voice, movement, scene study and monologues. Sixteen
students will be chosen to progress onto the undergraduate
courses from this group of candidates.
Applying for the Professional Diploma in Stage
Management and Technical Theatre
The application process for the Professional Diploma in Stage
Management and Technical Theatre has now opened. This
course is ideal for students who have experience in working
back stage on school or community productions. Students who
complete this course can have careers in stage management,
sound, lighting, construction for theatre, stage electrics, scenic
art, prop making, and costume. Students need to register
online, download the application form and send the completed
form into the administrator at The Lir. Everyone who applies for
this course will be called for an interview where they will be
asked to present a portfolio of relevant materials relating to
previous experience in stage
management or some aspect
of technical theatre. The
portfolio might consist of
promotional
materials
or
photographs from various
theatre productions/ concerts/
events.
Acting and Irish Theatre. Anyone aged 16 and upwards can
apply for a place on these courses.
All of the courses at The Lir Academy are taught by
professionals who also work in the theatre, TV and film
industries. These tutors remain connected within the various
genres, something that has proved extremely beneficial to
graduates of The Lir.
Information on all courses at The Lir can be found at
www.thelir.ie or by emailing [email protected]
Participants on the two week Musical Theatre intensive course at The Lir. Image by Keith Dixon
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