The Adjudicator – 2015

2015-adjudicator

Irene O’Meara, Adjudicator

B.Ed, LLSM, MA Drama & Theatre Studies

Irene has been part of many productions with Nenagh Players, Nenagh Choral Society, Aisteoirí an Aonaigh and Dramsoc, NUIG. Her ISDA Judge’s Award for Lovers: Winners Reconstructed, in a Meyerholdian stylisation takes pride of place among her numerous accolades for acting and directing.She won this while studying for a Master’s Degree in Drama & Theatre Studies. Other memorable roles have been in The Curious Savage, Run For Your Wife, The Odd Couple, Dancing at Lughnasa, Out of Order, April Bright, Lend Me A Tenor, One Last White Horse, San Patricios, Conas Mar a Fuair Biddy Early Bás and most recently Juno and the Paycock. As well as working on Lighting, Sound, Costume, Stage Management and Production Irene has directed many plays. Irene’s high level of interest in Drama is matched by her deep regard for Theatre In Education. She has worked with the Drama Department in Mary Immaculate College and currently as a tutor in Drama Pedagogy with Hibernia College. She also facilitates and designs courses in Process Drama for teachers and educators. She enjoys the unpredictability, collaboration and open-ended nature of Process Drama rather than working towards a definite, premeditated produc t. Irene also hosts workshops in acting, ensemble work and various other aspects of Drama. Irene also has a keen interest in Dance and works as choreographer with a Musical Theatre School, Kids On Stage.

Irene is delighted to return to be in Claremorris for her first time. Some groups may have met Irene on the festival circuit in Mountmellick, Gorey, Claregalway or Ballyduff in previous years. She looks forward to seeing the broad variety of productions and, in particular, meeting the Drama groups during the festival. She loves reading and researching the background to plays in order to delve into the essence, beauty and power of the playwrights’ work.