St. Mary's Grammar School, Magherafelt

News

Successful Drama Workshop with Actor Dan Gordon

The Drama Department of St. Mary's Grammar School, Magherafelt last week welcomed actor and director Dan Gordon to the school.  Dan, well known for his roles in BBC comedy Give My Head Peace and the Marie Jones play A Night In November, led a workshop for Theatre Studies students exploring the themes and issues of the play Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker. 

Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company Attend St. Mary's

Drama and Theatre Studies students in St. Mary's had the opportunity to participate in a dance class facilitated by Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company.  During the session, students explored contemporary approaches to dance.  Through their work with professional dancers, students gained a valuable insight to this art form and the discipline of movement. 

Lisa May, Artistic Director of Bruiser Theatre Company Visits St. Mary's

As part of their study of physical theatre in Drama, Year Nine pupils in St. Mary's had the opportunity to work with Lisa May, Artistic Director of Bruiser Theatre Company.  Lisa's style of direction focuses on the actors' ability to engage the audience, without relying on elaborate sets, costume and lighting. The actor is the central mechanism of performance and Lisa's work with pupils involved an exploration of the essential dynamics of theatre: the actor, the audience and the space.  Pupils worked together throughout each workshop, demonstrating their creativity as they used a range of physical theatre skills and techniques in a variety of activities.   

Congratulations To St. Mary's G.C.S.E Art & Design Student

Catherine O'Neill photographed with her GCSE 3D handbag unit of work which was included in the 'True Colours' Best Art and Design in Northern Ireland in 2008 examinations.  Her work is currently on display in Omagh and will also be on display in the CCEA building until February 2009.

Theatre Magic Workshop

On 28^th November 2008, Drama and Theatre Studies students from St. Mary's had the opportunity to participate in an acting class with Chris Rankin who plays the role of Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter movie series.  Chris has appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Order of the Phoenix.  The class was delivered as part of the Cinemagic Talent Lab.  Chris introduced pupils to his preferred approach to acting, a method he terms 'simplicity.'  Throughout the day, pupils explored this approach to acting and applied it to the preparation and presentation of a duologue from a given script.  At the end of the day, pupils attended a Cinemagic Talent Lab awards ceremony during which Year 14 Theatre Studies student Rebecca Graham received an award from Chris Rankin for the Most Promising Actor.  Rebecca was delighted to learn that she had also secured a work placement with BBC. 

Students were also excited to meet actor Joe Dempsie whose television credits include Doctors, Peak Practice, Dr Who and Skins.