Greetings!

Oh, my, such a long while since last I penned this newsletter – and I’ve loads of news. This is a very exciting time in the life of Innovations . . . a time of major transitions. First of all . . . .

AVOCA

. . . . is no more! Well, Avoca Village still is, of course, but the Avoca school isn’t. After twelve years in the Avoca Community Hall, we are moving – to Arklow. Our new home is now the Bridge Community Centre, Wexford Road, Arklow. (This used to be the Higher Education Centre – the blue building – just opposite Extra Vision.) A careful study of finances and geographical advantages led us to this momentous decision. We shall miss Avoca. After all, it has been our home since the very beginning of PASS! But we also look forward to another dozen years of growth and creativity in our new home of Arklow.

Leading the student body into this new venture are Jessica Davis, the 2010 Student of the Year, and Karla Tracey, recipient of the Deirdre Short Memorial Award for Most Promising Student 2010. These awards were announced at our annual Little Showcase in June . . . our very last appearance in the Avoca Community Hall. Mark McGann, the 2009 Student of the Year presented the framed certificate and flowers to Jessica, and Jonny Holden, the 2009 Most Promising Student, presented the perpetual trophy to Karla.

GOREY

The Gorey students were very busy this past term with all sorts of “little shows” happening. In April, our Street Theatre group presented a mini-version of An Croí in the Christ Church School Hall, Gorey on a Sunday afternoon. Recessionary times meant no funds to use. But with a raid of our costume/props shed and the invaluable assistance of Paul O’Toole and Linda Collier, we managed to create quite an acceptable set. Sarah Morris was our “musical director”, pressing the right buttons at the right time on her CD player. No lights, no band, no sound equipment . . . just sheer, unadulterated talent. And such talent! It was a great success.

Meanwhile, Laura suggested we enter the Scapino Class (ages 9 and 10) into the Gorey Active Retirement Talent Competition – part of the Bealtaine Festival in the Ashdown Hotel. We felt it would be a good experience for them, but emphasized the fact that they were highly unlikely to win and that it didn’t matter as long as they performed to the best of their ability. To our delight, they were advanced to the semi-finals; to our surprise, they went on to the finals; to our glee, they placed and received a trophy . . . 5^th Place out of 10 finalists. Needless to say, we’re chuffed. After all, they were competing against adults!

Then in June, Gorey presented its first Little Showcase – a tradition in Avoca for the past several years. Held in Laura’s classroom, it was packed out with family and friends. Special kudos to Grainne Staunton who presented us with a feast of sandwiches, sweets, cakes, tea, coffee and lemonade at the interval. A very successful show from all the students was followed by the giving of Certificates of Achievement to each child, and the eagerly awaited announcement that the 2010 Student of the Year is Ciara Hughes.

‘BYE, STEVE! HI, NICK!

I guess it had to happen eventually . . . our amazing mega-designer, website creator has “retired”. Stephen Duignan began his media magic with us when he was just 11 years old, designing his first poster for us; then as editor/designer of our newspaper PASSword. After three years, he suggested creating a website. Totally computer illiterate myself, I said, “OK. Go for it”. And he did. I mean, WOW!, he did. First of all, the design itself – from logo to page layout – was stunning. And while still a student with us, he regaled us with films and live interviews on line. My favourite was the one entitled “The Night No One Came”, filmed the night of the ‘great flood’ in Arklow/Avoca. Loads of footage of lashing rain outside and Aine Kavanagh all by herself in the dance room.

But of course our Stephen has grown up, and his life is filled with college, professional design work, new friends and challenges, and life in Dublin. It was with great sadness that I accepted his resignation, but I fully understand. Of course, Stephen will always be part of Innovations: a PACE recipient (check out Award Winners on the About Us page), he was a founder member of Imp Ink, a member of the An Croí American tour of ’08 and one of the most versatile all-round performers we’ve had the pleasure to work with. And I’m very happy to report that he will be designing our future posters!

However, when one door closes, another opens. And through our newly opened door comes Nick Yeomans. Thus far, Nick’s only connection with Innovations is that he’s one of those much-appreciated people who always comes to see the shows – a “bum-on-a-seat” person, a supporter. Other than the fact that he’s one of those computer-genius sorts, you may be interested in some more personal titbits. He has an amazing wife, Rhoda, who has an even more amazing voice. He has three beautiful children: James, Elizabeth and Christopher. He also has two beautiful dogs: Lucy and Rascal. He’s crazy about wolves! He has a multitude of facial piercings and his hair is always a surprise – sometimes spiked, sometimes plaited, sometimes shocking pink, once even totally shaved. He is also one of the most intelligent, generous and kind people I’ve had the privilege to meet. We are indeed fortunate to have him now within our Innovations family.

TEACHERS

Our teachers are like will ‘o wisps these days. It’s really hard to keep track of them! Fortunately, they are also extremely versatile, and students will see quite a shuffling around of teachers come September. The Brennan sisters, Denise and Dorothy, are both expecting new little people this autumn – Denise in September and Dorothy in October, so they will be missing our first term back. And Anne McIntyre is taking a one-term leave from Gorey as well. “So who will teach us?” I hear you cry. Worry not . . . all is under control. In Gorey, Sarah Morris will take over drama classes. Lindsey Aherne will take the singing classes, and Laura Kitt will continue as dance teacher. In Arklow, Lindsey and Anne Mac will continue teaching singing and dance, and I will step in to teach drama for the term. All sorted!

INNOVATIONS: THE AGENCY

We have our Catalogue – a beautiful ting, thanks to the amazing photography of Pauline Hughes and the computer prowess of Nick Yeomans. The CV forms you all filled out have been processed and recorded, parental permission forms filed, and almost 150 letters sent out to production companies. Hopefully, we will see our efforts bear fruit in the near future.

UP-COMING SHOWS

Arklow students will be presenting “The Nutcracker: a Christmas Fantasy”. No, it’s not a ballet. It’s actually the story of the Nutcracker, with a good few embellishments of our own. It’s filled with familiar nursery rhyme characters, gorgeous music and some truly fierce battle scenes. There are a lot of juicy parts available, and auditions will begin immediately we’re back in September.

(Classes commence 8^th September. Show takes place in Gorey Little Theatre, 9^th to 11^th December.)

Gorey students will be presenting “The Little Prince” -- Antoine Saint-Xupery’s classic tale of the search for meaning in life. Narrated by a World War I pilot, a planet-hopping little prince meets a plethora of bizarre and curious people in bizarre and curious places. In addition to these human beings, he becomes deeply involved with a rose, a fox and a desert snake!

Because this main production won’t take place until spring, we will also be working on a smaller show to be presented at Christmas, and we plan to enter some classes into various competitions taking place during this first term.

(Classes commence 11^th September. Show takes place in Gorey Little Theatre in April.)