Greetings to you all!

With our very long, very hard winter behind us, and now enjoying one of the most beautiful springs we've had since goodness-knows-when, I figure it's time for another “Letter from Anne”.  And, as usual, there's loads of news.

ARKLOW

Our new venue

After two months of holding classes in MoneyLands Farm and Liesure Centre (WOW!  What gorgeous surroundings!), we have finally settled into our new home in the Bridge Christian Community Centre.  And indeed it is a “new” home . . . some of it finished off during our first four months of residency – things like central heating, the furnishing of a vastly big kitchen, and a beautiful new wooden floor in the main room.  Our dance teacher Anne McIntyre loves the latter, of course.

We have separate classrooms for singing and drama, which the teachers find very “cosy”, but my favourite room is the Wardrobe Room.  At last, we've been able to transfer all our wonderful costumes from various sheds and attics throughout Counties Wicklow and Wexford into one central, warm and dry location.  Especially pleased with this is our Wardrobe Mistress, Geraldine McGraynor.

“The Nutcracker:  A Christmas Fantasy”

The Arklow school presented its very first major Show:  “The Nutcracker”.  Getting it on stage was a real baptism of fire – or perhaps more accurately, a baptism of ice!  The show which was to open on 9th December had to be cancelled due to the heavy snow.  What a nightmare!  We finally got it onto the boards on 3rd February.  Happily, it was a huge success – a truly beautiful show, featuring some of the best singing Innovations has ever presented.  What a very talented cast!  Special kudos go to Karla Tracey, our current holder of the Deirdre Short Memorial Award for Most Promising Student, who played the part of young Clara.

“A Little Showcase 2011”

At the moment, we are working on our annual showcase which will be presented the evening of 25th May.  At that time, we will also present Certificates of Achievement and name the 2011 Student of the Year as well as the new winner of the Deirdre Short Award.

Viv Verveen

We have a new drama teacher!  When “The Nutcracker” was finally put to bed, I was once again able to retire from the classroom and head off for a much-needed vacation in my home country of the USA.  And to the rescue came Viviana Verveen!  Viv is an experienced professional actress and drama teacher who has fresh and exciting ideas.  More complete information on the vibrant Viv can be found in the Who's Who section.

GOREY

Competitions

 Thanks primarily to the hard work and creativity of dance teacher Laura Kitt, Gorey students were kept busy up to Christmas by participating in various fund-raising shows and competitions.  They “swept the boards” in the Avonmore Y-Factor competition, with Irish dancers Aine Collier and Myles Wafer taking 1st place in the Senior category and the Scaramouche Class dancers featuring Coilín Jackson-O'Toole coming in 2nd.  In the Under-12s category, Karla Tracey (Arklow student) took 1st place and, in fact, won the competition's Overall Best Performance.  Her rendition of “Don't Rain On My Parade” had the whole audience on its feet, wildly cheering their appreciation.  (Check out “videos” on the Home Page.)

History repeats itself, and in the Southeast Ireland Talent Competition culminating in the Shillelagh finals, Karla once again won hands down, with Aine and Myles, and the Scaramouche Class featuring high among the finalists.

“Alice in Wonderland”

At the moment, all energy is focused on “Alice in Wonderland” which opens in the Gorey Little Theatre 12th May next.  Directed by Anne McIntyre, the script is straight from Lewis Carroll and features Aine Collier as Alice.  The choreography is by the ever-inspiring Laura Kitt, and singing teacher Lindsey Aherne delights with a witty, wacky, wonderful choice of songs!  Truly, this promises to be an amazing show!!!

“THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA”

We're trying something new this year:  a full-length play.  No singing, no dancing, just sheer unadulterated drama!  Federico Garcia Lorca's powerful play “The House of Bernarda Alba” will be presented by a combination of senior girls from both the Arklow and the Gorey schools.  It will take place in the Conary Hall Theatre on 29th - 30th May.  Under the direction of Sarah Morris, the girls have been rehearsing in Gorey every Saturday morning.  This is a new direction for Innovations, and one which I personally applaud.  I hope to see much more of this smaller, specialised sort of production in future.

SUMMER SCHOOL

Yes!  We're back!  And this year, we're hosting two separate schools:  Arklow 4th - 8th July in Bridge Christian Community Centre; and Gorey 2nd - 6th August in the Gorey Community School.  Classes are for children aged 5 to 18 years.  5 and 6 year-olds meet for two hours a day (from 10.00 a.m. To 12.00 noon OR 12.30 to 2.30 p.m.) and the fee is only €40 for the week.  7 to 18 year-olds meet for four-and-a-half hours a day (from 10.00 a.m. To 2.30 p.m.) and the fee for these children is just €85 for the week.

As in the regular Innovations Theatre School, children will learn acting, dancing and singing with our regular highly-qualified staff.  On the last day of each week, the students will present a showcase performance for families and members of the public.

STUFF FOR SALE

 Please note that our trendy Innovations t-shirts and hoodies are still available for purchase.  T-shirts are only €5, and hoodies €20 or €25, depending on size. 

Also, DVDs of “The Nutcracker” (and soon, “Alice in Wonderland”) are available for only €10.  A real bargain!

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So, dear followers of our website, that's it for “Anne's Letter” this time.  Thanks for taking the time to read it.  Wishing you a warm and wonderful summer.