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The Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards sees four Kerry schools nominated.
SPA National School and Mercy Mounthawk have been shortlisted in this year’s Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards, and will now travel to a special awards ceremony taking place at the Bord Gais Enegry Theatre on May 5, 2016.
Spa N.S. has been shortlisted in the Best Musical Number category for its performance of ‘”I’m On Strike” in the 4th class production of ‘Santa’s on Strike’ while Mercy Mounthawk has been shortlisted in the Best Overall School Play category for its production of ‘The Plough and the Stars’ by 4th and 5th Year students and in the Best Set category for the set built in their production of ‘Les Misérables’ by 5th and 6th Year students.
Two other Kerry schools have been nominated. They are; St Michael’s National School in Sneem has been shortlisted in the Best Choreography for the school performance of ‘Follow the Star’ and Holy Family NS in Rathmore has been shortlisted in the Best Direction category for its production ‘Fight for Freedom’ and Sean Burke O Donoghue from 6th class in the school has also been shortlisted in the Best Male Performance in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Patrick O’Connor in the production.
This year, 2,888 entries were received from 346 primary and secondary schools across Ireland and categories range from best overall school musical, best overall school play and best set design to individual categories such as best short scene script, best dramatic critique and best male and female performances in a leading role.
The judging panel comprised of actress Amy Huberman; playwright Marina Carr; Strictly Come Dancing star Tristan MacManus; author Sarah Webb; set and costume designer Maree Kearns; Bord Gáis Energy Theatre manager Stephen Faloon and Bord Gáis Energy communications manager, Irene Gowing.
Commenting on the shortlist, Irene Gowing, communications manager for Bord Gáis Energy said: “For the judges, this meant a really tough job narrowing down our shortlist. I would like to thank all teachers and students in Kerry who entered, as well as the parents who support them. Congratulations to all the shortlisted schools and students and we look forward to the welcoming you all at the awards ceremony on the 5 May,” she continued.
The full 2016 shortlist is available to view at www.BGESTA.ie
