New Level 8 DkIT degree and student-led theatre company signal bright future for the arts
An exciting new addition to the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) range of courses for September, 2026 is the Level 8, BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre. This course provides essential and comprehensive training in the three main principles of musical theatre, acting, singing and dancing, supported by academic modules which explore further understanding of the industry, and follows the success of the Level 7 Musical Theatre Degree, which first began in 2022.
Among the first graduates of the Level 7 Musical Theatre course were Emiliano Vazquez, Alisia de Brún, and Lorianné O’Rourke, who are currently completing their BA (Hons) in Drama and Performance add on year and working towards their Level 8 Degrees.
The three students have joined forces to establish an exciting new musical theatre venture, a collaboration called Kismet Theatre Company. “Kismet means fate, like we were destined to meet,” according to Lorianné, 21, from Wicklow, the brains behind the company. Founded in 2024, the company aims to challenge perceptions of musical theatre by exploring bold stories and amplifying diverse voices. Lorianné leads on directing and choreography, working alongside Alisia on vocals and Emiliano on acting and assistant directing.
Emiliano, 32, arrived in Dundalk from Mexico nearly four years ago. “I always wanted to study musical theatre, then I discovered the course starting at DkIT and the puzzle pieces just came into place at the right time.” Storytelling through music and exploring characters’ emotions inspired him to pursue the field. Studying in his second language has pushed him beyond his comfort zone, but the blend of academic learning and performance has helped him grow and build confidence on stage.
The variety of performance experience in the DkIT course has been a fantastic benefit in Emiliano’s view: “whether it’s a concert, a play, a musical, an exam, the course really pushes your ability to be on stage. Not just preparing to be on stage, but being there actually doing everything you are trained to do.”
With a strong background in vocals, 23-year-old Alisia from Dublin was slightly apprehensive at the prospect of dance being an integral part of her degree and the vulnerability that comes with acting, but she says that the instructors have a fantastic approach and build these skills slowly. Alisia is adamant about the power of working as a team in the arts, something which she has really loved throughout her time at DkIT. “Creative collaboration means being open to others, sharing ideas, and recognising that together we create work that’s stronger, more fulfilling, and more fun than working alone.”
From exams to theatre etiquette and the science of costumes, Alisia says the Musical Theatre degree at DkIT covers it all—foundations the trio are now building upon in their fourth year. Lorianné agrees: “All of our ensemble work and industry connections throughout our time at DkIT have transformed how we learn—and what we create.” A dancer from a very young age, Lorianné has also flourished in the other aspects of the course even surprising herself at her success in modules such as Music Theory of which she previously had little experience.
For all three, being Musical Theatre graduates from DkIT is a great source of pride. The expansion of their group and exploring larger scale productions is on the horizon for the Kismet trio. In Lorianné ‘s words; “We've just started. We're fresh and we're ready to bring you lots of new ideas!”
