Pictured is actress and writer Amy Huberman with theatre masks launching the Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards. This is the first year of the awards which have been set up by Bord Gais Energy to encourage and reward participation in drama among school children across Ireland. Open to primary (5th & 6th class) and secondary schools,the overall winner will receive a 1,000,euro bursary for their school and 1,000,euro worth of books for the school library. To find out how to take part in this year’s awards visit www.bordgaisenergy.ie/schools. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.
Bord Gáis Energy is calling on budding student playwrights in Donegal to take part in the first ever Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards.
Actress, writer and Mum, Amy Huberman officially launched the awards which have been set up by Bord Gáis Energy to encourage and reward participation in drama among school children across Ireland.
Open to 5th and 6th class in primary schools and all students in secondary school, this year’s awards will focus on creative dramatic writing. Students in Donegal are being asked to demonstrate their playwriting skills and write a short scene based on the theme of friendship.
All shortlisted schools will win a class trip for up to 30 students and teachers to see War Horse ay the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on 9th April 2014. The winning student in each category will receive a €150 One4all voucher. The overall winner will receive a €300 One4all voucher as well as a €1,000 bursary for their school and €1,000 worth of books for their school library.
Entries can be submitted in script form, narrative form or in video form and closing date for entries is 13th February 2014.
There are three categories for this year’s awards:
• Primary (5th & 6th class) 500 words limit
• Junior Secondary (1st – 3rd year) 750 word limit
• Senior Secondary (4th/TY – 6th year) 1,000 word limit
Video submissions should be no longer than five minutes and must include a written copy of the scene also. Entries can be submitted in English or Irish to studenttheatre@realyouth.ie or by post to The Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards, Real Youth, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8.
All shortlisted schools will win a class trip for up to 30 students and teachers to see War Horse ay the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on 9th April 2014. The winning student in each category will receive a €150 One4all voucher. The overall winner will receive a €300 One4all voucher as well as a €1,000 bursary for their school and €1,000 worth of books for the school library.
Commenting on the launch Amy Huberman said: “I am delighted to help officially launch the first ever Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards. These awards have been set up to reward and encourage participation in drama in schools and I think it’s really important that we recognise young creative talent from an early age and encourage young people to take part in drama and writing. Growing up I always had an interest in acting and writing and had there been something like this when I was at school, I would have definitely taken part.
“I would like to wish all those taking part in Donegal the very best of luck in this year’s awards and I look forward to judging the shortlist in March.”
Irene Gowing, Sponsorship & Brand Manager, Bord Gáis Energy said: “We are pleased to launch the Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards. There’s a huge amount of students in Donegal putting time and effort into writing and drama in schools and through these awards we want to recognise and reward these young creative people.”
Closing dates for entries is Thursday 13th February. The top finalists will be announced in March 2014 and the awards will take place at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on Wednesday, 9th April. For further information on the awards, visit www.bordgaisenergy.ie/schools