Betty Ann Norton Theatre School
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Founded in 1959, we have been teaching children and adults alike for over 60 years! Past pupils include Amy and Mark Huberman, Claudia Carroll, Emma Donohue, Dervla Kirwan, Diarmuid Noyes, Marian Richardson and Hugh O'Connor.
Speech: Practice relaxation, breathing, and vocal exercises to strengthen and encourage clear speech. Work on solo performance pieces for recitals, feiseanna, and exams from Trinity College London. This includes poetry speaking, performing an extract from a story or play, and mime. As students advance, study story-telling, reading aloud, prose, and Shakespeare too. Develop an advanced understanding of literature and performance and build public speaking and interpersonal skills.
Take a short break and then begin Drama: This portion of the class is focused on ensemble acting. It includes lots of fun drama games, improvisation, mime, puppetry, movement and of course acting! Rehearse for shows in Dublin Theatres and historic OPW buildings such as Dublin Castle, and Farmleigh House. Prepare group competition pieces for Feis Maitiu in DLR Mill Theatre and perform in-house showcases for friends and family. Performance pieces include classic and contemporary texts, original and devised work, choral speaking, group mime and more!
Why choose us?
Years of Experience: Our students benefit from teaching methodologies and techniques that were honed over 60 years. Attending Betty Ann Norton Theatre School is a right of passage for many families. We have third generation students attending our classes receiving the same great education their grandparents once did.
Small Class Sizes: With 1-1 work with the tutor weekly, we can really focus on each student's goal as an individual such as improving speech faults or really nailing that drama selection! Solo pieces are chosen by the student and reflect their personal interest, encouraging them to play an important role in decision making.
Longer Classes: This enables students to really engage with the material and allows time to explore their pieces by taking an active role in their direction.
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Speech and Drama Exams with Trinity College London: Advanced grades provide UCAS points for entry to UK Universities. Unlike Irish boards, these exams are internationally recognised. Many of our teens achieve their diplomas before even finishing school! We prepare for acting and teaching diplomas that qualify you all around the world including Australia, Asia and Canada. Our teacher training is unrivalled.
A Future: We prepare students for a life both on and off the stage. Many of our graduates are enjoying successful careers in the arts. There are many others though who are leading their fields in areas such as law, medicine, computer-science and academics and who attribute their success to the confidence and communication skills they learned at Betty Ann Norton Theatre School.
Locations:
Dun Laoghaire Presbyterian Church, Upper York Road, Dun Laoghaire, A96 D529
Cuisle Arts and Cultural Centre, St. Louis High School, Rathmines, D06 F860
Wesley House, Leeson Park, Ranelagh, D06 N5P0
Taney Parish Centre, Taney Road, Dundrum D14 AX78
Castleknock Parish Centre, Castleknock Road, Castleknock
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