LEINSTER EAST
Carlow’s kids are acting under the bright lights — and flying kites, writes Celine Naughton
Youth theatre puts Carlow on the map as the acting county
FROM her first acting role as a tree in Ardattin National School at the age of five, Saoirse Ronan branched out to become one of the most celebrated actors of her generation. And today, young drama students in her native Carlow are inspired by the achievements of the star of award-winning films Ladybird, Brooklyn, Atonement and The Lovely Bones.
“Some of us might have thought we’d never have a chance to see a red carpet or be at the Oscars, but Saoirse Ronan is an amazing role model who’s proved that we can all do it,” says 16-year-old Ciara Long, a member of County Carlow Youth Theatre.
Not surprisingly, theatre and film-making loom large on the county’s programme for Cruinniú na nÓg. Set in Carlow’s Visual Centre, Practical Magic is a day-long series of theatre workshops hosted by County Carlow Youth Theatre. There are four workshops for two age groups, 10-13 year-olds and 14-19 year-olds. Each is limited to 20 people, so booking is advised (countycarlowyouththeatre@gmail.com).
Ciara joined the youth theatre a year ago and plans to make a career in music or acting.
“What I love most about it is meeting like-minded people and having the opportunity to share creative ideas,” she says. “It’s a place where we can express those ideas, write, refine and direct them, and turn them into plays.
“I’m glad there’s a national day celebrating creativity in young people, because that’s what makes us able to express ourselves as individuals. Without creativity, we’d all be the same.”
Another member, Robyn Duggan, 18, finds drama a welcome break from the treadmill of studying for his upcoming Leaving Cert exams.
“It’s great to have an escape from the books,” he says. “It also gives me a sense of achievement. I was never at this level of confidence, but to be able to go on stage unprepared and perform is very empowering.”
Carlow Youth Theatre leader Eimear Cheasty is gratified to hear that, because she says one of the key objectives of the theatre group is to empower young people to make their own decisions.
“Participation is the name of the game,” she says. “We try to foster a sense in our members that their contribution is valued and that their voices will be heard.
“Having been a member of Waterford Youth Drama, I know what a huge difference it made to my life as a young girl. I was shy and nervous, but when I joined the drama group, I found my tribe.
“Some of the world’s finest actors like Colin Farrell and Daniel Craig came up through Youth Theatre, but it’s not just about acting. Our members open up and develop great personal strengths thanks to the other young people around them, and that’s very rewarding to see.”
In Borris Library, Pauric Brennan will host a two-hour screenwriting workshop for 14-18 year-olds who have an interest in writing and film production (10.30am-12.30pm). Participants need to bring a smartphone and tablet, and download the free media pre-production software Celtx.
“I’ll be showing them how a film works,” says Pauric. “They’ll sit in front of a TV and watch a film, which we’ ll break down bit by bit, looking at sequences in the film, and moments in a sequence. Young people get very excited when they see how easy it is to structure a story.
“It’s an interactive session — I’ll be encouraging participants to talk about what they like and don’t like about particular scenes, why some characters are cool and others aren’t. I’ ll show them how to use the various functions of the Celtx software to build their story, and give them bookmarks for websites that are really useful for amateur film-makers.
“I’m delighted to be part of Cruinniú na nÓg, because I’m passionate about encouraging kids to use their imagination. When I was a child, the school principal once wrote to my parents on my report card, ‘Please ask Pauric to get his head out of the clouds.’ But daydreaming is important. Children need to let their imagination run wild before they have to come back to the real world.
“My own six-year-old son Rían already does his own stop-motion animation. I’m delighted to see him actively create things, not just bury his head in his tablet, and the same is true for all children. There are great rewards to be had from having fun and using their imagination.”
There’s more movie-making magic at the Vault in Burrin Street, Carlow, with afternoon iPad movie workshops hosted by Peter Baxter and tutors from Create School. Participants will be given tips and techniques to script, rehearse, shoot and edit their own films on an iPad, mobile phone or tablet. Equipment and materials are supplied, and places are limited to 12 per workshop, so booking is advised
(jamie@crys.ie).
“Kids have amazing devices in their hands, but rather than sit and watch, we’ll show them how to use those devices to create their own content,” says Peter. “Some award-winning movies at the Oscars and Sundance were shot on iPhones.
It’s a place where we can express those ideas, write, refine and direct them, and turn them into plays
“We’ll demonstrate how to use light meters, filters, sound effects and special effects to make quality films. Participants will learn about planning, developing plots and ideas, editing techniques, the importance of rehearsing, how to frame a scene and other fundamentals of film-making. The principles are exactly the same as those for a big Hollywood production.
“Technology is here to stay, and I think it’s good to incorporate it into the creative curriculum in the classroom, so that young people can use it in a positive way, and become active creators of content rather than simply spectators.”
But technology has no part in another great attraction in the field behind the Gaelscoil on the Tullow Road in Carlow. Go Fly Your Kite is a workshop that allows children of all ages to drop in and out of kite-making workshops throughout the day from 11am–4pm.
“Each child can choose their own blank kite and create their own design or choose a piece of artwork, and colour it with permanent markers,” explains George Ellis from the Belfast-based company, Go Fly Your Kite. “When they’re finished, they can go out with their family and fly it.
“Today’s kids are so used to technology, they love getting back to great old-fashioned fun. They get their sleeves rolled up and go into their own little zone when choosing their colours and drawing the design they want on the kite. It’s a very calming activity, and you don’t have to be a great artist.
“Young people often tell us they didn’t realise they could have so much fun with a piece of material. In a world where everything has to be bigger and better than what came before, kids are often astonished that their creation actually flies. The simplicity of it is really refreshing.
“We use a simple yet robust kite that’s easily handled and very user-friendly. It’s great for children with special needs, too. Kite-flying is an activity where kids in wheelchairs can go out with their peers and take part. It’s very inclusive. You can pack it away and take it with you on holiday, and even on wet days in Ireland, you can still go and fly your kite.
“We do workshops all over the country, and I’m always mesmerised to see that when it’s all over and we’re driving away, we see 20 or 30 of these colourful kites still hovering above our heads.”