Gundog by Simon Longman, Gradfest 2025, Photo by Bill Woodland
We are happy to announce the launch of our autumn course programme, with weekend and multi-week courses!
We have just 4 places left on our Actors' Ensemble programme and you can now audition via self-tape! This 6-month course starts 23rd September and is specifically designed for emerging actors. The course applies acting technique taught in a collaborative creative environment, including workshops and masterclasses with leading industry professionals. Learn more here.
We also have a limited number of places left on our Youth Ensemble programme for young performers aged 15 - 17 years old and again, we are accepting applications via self-tape. Deadline is this coming Sunday, 8th September. This intensive course is ideal for any young person with a passion for theatre and interested in developing this passion into further training and/or a career. Learn more on how to apply here.
Dublin Fringe Festival 2025 takes place this September starting from Saturday 6th, and we are hosting a range of fantastic shows. See below for a list of upcoming productions and for more information on our next term of courses!
We have have revamped and upgraded a number of our popular programmes to bring you an elevated system through levels. Each course has been examined and regimented to offer you a closer, more detailed look at each level as you move from beginner to being more experienced. This is a way of formalising the transitions through each level so you can track your process and grow from the ground up with The Lir Academy.
We are thrilled to welcome back Bryan Burroughs to teach this ten-week Physical Theatre short course. Read our interview with Bryan on our website to learn more about the transformative techniques that can be employed by an actor in performance. This course introduces students to physical principles and movement improvisation to discover the expressive possibilities of their bodies.
Fundamentals of Acting Course Begins: 27th September Duration: 10am - 5pm, Saturdays, 20 weeks
This weekly Saturday course introduces students to the fundamentals of acting techniques for stage and screen. Taught by our team, you will learn the core skills every actor needs. No audition required!
Intro to Musical Theatre Course Begins: 22nd September Duration: 6.30pm - 9pm, Mondays, 10 weeks
We offer adults with a passion for musical theatre an opportunity to develop the fundamental techniques required to perform in Musical Theatre. Taught through group master-classes and rehearsals, this intensive immersion in musical theatre will help build confidence, develop new skills in a collaborative environment.
Ideal for any student looking to improve their screenwriting skills, focusing on the various forms, ideas and craft of screenwriting. Students get to think critically about writing through exercises and discussion in understand creating a visual, cinematic pieces of work.
This September is the start of term for our programmes for young people!
YOUTH ACADEMY: ACTING (12-14-YEAR-OLDS) This course is an introduction to what it means to be an actor. It includes elements of our full-time course such as voice, movement, improvisation, and text-based work, whilst also concentrating on fun and play. The primary objective of this course is to find the joy in acting and create assurance in the performer to provide a solid foundation to move on to the next level. See more here.
YOUTH ACADEMY: ACTING (15-17-YEAR-OLDS) The course will cover key elements of actor training including Voice, Movement and Improvisation. As well as stage acting, the training will also include an introduction to screen acting. This course provides young actors with a taste of drama school training at conservatoire level whilst offering a broad foundational understanding of acting techniques. See more here.
YOUTH ACADEMY: YOUTH ENSEMBLE (15-17-YEAR-OLDS) Youth Ensemble is a 6-month, tailored programme in acting for talented teenagers aged 15– 17 to experience drama training. These day-long Saturday training sessions provide practical experience in the three cornerstones of conservatoire training. These will ultimately provide a platform for further training in acting, theatre or drama. Unlike the other Youth Academy courses, it has an audition process, longer training days and a professionally directed performance at the end of the course. See morehere.
Dublin Fringe Festival 2025
7EVEN by John Spillane Run: 6th - 14th September
Pride, Greed, Wrath, Envy, Lust, Gluttony, and Sloth. Pick your poison. Join award-winning comedian and improviser John Spillane for seven nights, seven shows and seven deadly sins. Each sin gets its own spotlight in a series of wildly different, wickedly funny shows.
Constriction by Mai Ishikawa Run: 7th - 14th September
A Japanese bullet train. A woman. And a baby hatch. Inside the train, we hear two voices talking about a woman who headed West to give up her baby. Sometimes serious, sometimes playful, they discuss the implications. But the more they talk, it seems, the less there is to say. And who are they, really?
Attention by Jules Hea & Georgia Bruce Run: 10th - 14th September
What if love had a playbook? If we could play it like a sport? Would the rules make it easier? This queer athletic play about love; about why and how we choose to pay attention; about the effort and sweat needed to build a life with someone and whether love is enough to save us.
Scripted 2025 at The Lir Academy Date: 13th September
Join us for an afternoon of performed readings of extracts of new plays by this year's MFA playwrights. This year's MFA playwrights are Aoife Cronin, Ciara Hanley, Paula Rodríguez Caballero and Íde Simpson. We are currently sold out but hope to release more tickets closer to the date, if you click into BOOK NOW, you can add your name to the waiting list.
Cult Of Aerobics by Emily Bradley Run: 16th - 20th September
Ever hated yourself? Great! Welcome to the Cult. Cult of Aerobics is your glitter-drenched gateway drug to self-improvement, groupthink, and really good abs. Join the charismatic leader on a high-energy journey through aerobics, obsession, and the dark side of perfection.
In A Bad Way by Isolde Fenton Run: 17th - 20th September
Grá is sick. With what, she’s not sure. Blood clots, maybe? Foreign Accent Syndrome, possibly? Bum Cancer - most definitely; The Ginger One from Desperate Housewives has it. Sat in a GP on Dame Street, she’s with The Doctor (for the fifth time this month) and she won’t rest until she has a diagnosis.
