Process

The process starts with meeting with the school, where aims and objectives can be discussed, and an exploration of what may be beneficial for the pupils or participants.

This is followed by an Introductory Workshop with the class or group to determine group needs and group dynamics.

The first session looks at sharing leadership, active listening and ends with an improvisation circle.  This is to introduce the elements of drama and to work on group dynamics.

The second session focuses on subtext and communication.  After initial warm-up exercises the participants work with scripts to explore how tone can change the meaning of what we say. There is also exploration of how tone can affect the listener.

The third session looks at non-verbal communication.  What messages do we get from others just from what we see?  What messages do we give off?  What are the elements of non-verbal communication? There is also a look at  core emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger and fear, how we portray them and how we recognise them in others.  There is an emphasis on body language and facial expression.  There are exercises on how we take in information visually before we hear language.

The fourth session looks at status;personal status and societal status.  Some of the topics explored are: how do we recognise status; how do we show status; what is the difference between personal and societal status and how does status effect our relationships?  The methodologies used are drama exercises, feedback and script.

The fifth session looks at spontaneity as an element of communicatio,  as we are not always able to control our environment or our impulses.

Communication Through Drama first took place with the Transition Year Students at Duiske College, Graiguenamanagh in November and December 2012.

For more information on this programme contact Anna Galligan, Outreach Officer. Tel. 056 7751266

'Clean livin' don't happen in a dirty town'

In their sixth production since restarting in 2007, KYT took on the genre of Film Noir in the guise of ‘KoHL’ – originally devised by Droichead Youth Theatre with Sharon Cromwell in 2008.

The Youth Theatre travelled back in time to New York during The Prohibition: gangsters, molls, illegal booze, a private eye with integrity and a newshound thirsty for a story.

Mia Swan, who has been looking desperately for her beloved sister, turns to Max Cole, a private investigator. She admits ‘I can’t say I’ve had the world’s greatest family background’ and fears for her sister’s life. The Prohibition has been in situ, to Leon Antonelli’s greatest advantage, for seven years.  He runs a ‘regular theatre’ with dancers and a show for his customers but Julia Stone, a fearless News Reporter, knows the real game. All she needs is evidence. As she goes undercover and Max seeks out Mia’s sister the story of this underworld unfolds.  Who knew what could happen in a dirty town?

The confines of the genre and the presence of stereotypes pushed the young actors in a new direction and also provided much laughter in rehearsals as the cast and director teetered between depth and superficiality.

With a cast of sixteen young people, KoHL performed to packed houses at The Barn on the 11^th-13^th of April and was directed by Anna Galligan.

KoHL was performed with the permission of the NAYD as part of their New Stage programme.  Kilkenny Youth Theatre is a proud member of NAYD. More info at www.nayd.ie.

Photos: Ross Costigan Photography

Youth Drama Camp will run from 1st to 5th July. It is a theatre camp for young people who are interested in drama and theatre. It will be facilitated by resident Youth Theatre leader, Anna Galligan.

Each group will work towards a short piece. During the week they will look at the skills needed in creating and performing a piece of theatre including acting, voice, devising and movement.

The workshops will also encourage the development of confidence and social skills. All the sessions will be delivered knowing it’s the summer holidays so enjoyment and fun will also be high on the agenda.

If you are interested please read the information below and contact Anna for a registration form at anna@barnstorm.ie or 056 7751266.

Where? The Barn, Church Lane, Kilkenny (behind St Canice’s Cathedral)

When? 1st – 5th July

10am -1pm             8-10 yrs.

2pm – 5pm             11 – 14 yrs.

• The cost is €75, with a 10% discount for members of the same family
• Contact Anna for a registration form – anna@barnstorm.ie/ 056 7751266
• Places are reserved on a first come first served basis and cannot be guaranteed until a deposit is received
• Parental consent, a registration form and a non-refundable deposit of €30 is required to secure a place
• Please make cheques payable to Barnstorm Theatre Company

BOOKING NOW! New venue added- Culturlann Sweeney, Kilkee Co Clare

Bucket & Henry take a drive (Photo: Dylan Vaughan)

What is friendship? What happens when it goes wrong?

What do you have to do to make it work?

Barnstorm Theatre Company commences a national tour of its insightful new play for children aged 4 and older, at Draíocht on Monday 8^th April. The Bockety World of Henry & Bucket looks at friendship through a day in the life of two friends who live in a bockety world of discarded objects.

Responses to its World Premiere in Kilkenny have been resoundingly enthusiastic – comments included ‘pure theatre’, ‘visually imaginative’ and ‘…they haven’t stopped talking about it since.’

Written and directed by Sarah Argent, based on a collaborative devising process with Barnstorm, The Bockety World of Henry & Bucket is humorous and rich in visual antics. Through Henry and Bucket’s relationship we can examine what friendship is, what goes wrong and how you fix it.

Their friendship reflects the bockety world they inhabit – there are wobbles and shakes, and it’s not quite level all the time but it works! How do friends reconcile when they’ve had their battles, got on each other’s nerves, and even stooped to telling lies…?

This is an entertaining, thought-provoking exploration of friendship for young children and their families.

A play for children aged 4 and older.

Running time: 40 minutes

BOOKING NOW FOR 2013!

Henry and Bucket keep an eye on things. (Photo: Ross Costigan)

What is friendship? What happens when it goes wrong?

What do you have to do to make it work?

The Bockety World of Henry & Bucket, looks at friendship through a day in the life of two friends who live in a bockety world of discarded objects.

This brand new Barnstorm play is directed and devised by Sarah Argent, writer and freelance director in Theatre for Young Audiences. She regularly works with the award-winning Theatr Iolo in Cardiff.

Henry and Bucket are best pals, although sometimes you wouldn’t think so! Like all good friends they have their ups and downs, their battles and reconciliations, their shared adventures and at times their need for their own space.

But as long as these two friends are together, transofrming their rusty, dusty, battered and bockety world into a place of wonder, their adventures can take them anywhere!

This play is poetic, humorous and rich in narrative; an intriguing, thought-provoking exploration of friendship for young children.

A play for children aged 4 and older.

Running time: 40 minutes

Tickets: €6 each or €15 for Family Ticket.

Bookings: 056 7751266

Sarah will be in Dublin at the end of the month and wishes to audition actors on Friday 02 November. She is particularly interested in actors with improvisational and devising experience, and with strong physical performance ability.

At the same time, Barnstorm is looking to identify a number of actors for its Acting Ensemble, which was formed in 2010 and proved a huge success. The company will engage a number of actors to train and work with the company from 2013.

Those actors interested in auditioning please send CV and Photo to philip@barnstorm.ie

Auditions will happen in Dance House, Foley Street, Dublin 1 from 10:00 to 17:00 on Friday 02 November.

It’s early days yet, but we’re excited! The working title is Junkland. The Bockety World of Henry and Bucket.

Devising - The Bockety World of Henry and Bucket

Week 1 of devising took place in August in The Barn rehearsal space and involved a team of highly creative and experienced devisers – Sarah Argent (devising director), actors Paul Curley and Shane O’Reilly, and Barnstorm’s Philip Hardy and Vincent Dempsey.

Watch the 2-part video to find out more…

‘…the fluidity of narration, combined with the simplicity of the settings allows the story to flow seamlessly…The Barnstorm ensemble, both in acting and production, has a consistency and continuity that contributes greatly to a house-style that is lucid and engaging, not only for the target audience, in this case 4-5 year-olds – but also the adults who accompany them’. Irish Theatre Magazine

Puppet Josh in The Song from the Sea (Photo: Dylan Vaughan)

Listen! Can you hear it?

Our captivating show The Song from the Sea, by Mike Kenny, focuses on a young boy’s struggle to find his place in his family, and in the wider world. Blending storytelling, performance, puppets, music and a beautiful song from the sea, this show is a sensory treat.

Playwright Mike Kenny’s writing shows great empathy with young children. He will be familiar to Barnstorm audiences as the author of Big Sister, Little Brother and Jack.

With its blend of magic and realism, and an emphasis on shared storytelling The Song from the Sea is an encouraging and uplifting show for young children.

A play for children aged 4 and older.

On this tour we are delighted to be playing in the very first Children’s Festival of Theatre in Sligo: The Mad Hatter Theatre Festival, along with Baboró International Arts Festival for Children.

Running time: 35 minutes

THE SONG FROM THE SEA (c) Mike Kenny 1992
Copyright Agent: Alan Brodie Representation Ltd – www.alanbrodie.com

September sees the start back of our Youth Theatre groups and a new Adult Theatre Club group (20 new adult members who will embark on a two-year training programme).

Members of the Barn Owl Players are in rehearsal and preparation for a challenging new production in the Watergate Theatre from 28th to 30th September. DOUBLE BILL by James McLure sees his two most famous short plays, Laundry & Bourbon and Lone Star, presented in a double-bill to Kilkenny audiences. A must-see production that shows off the best in home-grown talent!

Barnstorm then departs on a festival’s tour of Ireland with its hugely successful production of The Song from the Sea by Mike Kenny for children 4+ years and families.