Emer Hapenny Drama classes / acting classes for kids in Dublin

about us

Emer Halpenny School of Drama - about our school
Established in 1990 in Stillorgan by Emer Halpenny, the drama school has grown considerably since, with over 1,000 graduates. Primarily set up to help children build confidence and channel their creative talents through drama and the theatre, many students have progressed into the dramatic arts, and some have made names for themselves in the world of film and television. Our objective is the development of the child through drama. We want our students simply to understand that they are creative geniuses and that we want them to have fun!
EMER HALPENNY Director and Founder With a background in film and television, Emer studied under Deirdre Galassi, the Irish Board of Speech and Drama and with Trinity College in London, with whom she is a Licentiate. Emer was a member of Stillorgan Musical Company (SMCO) for many years and directed some of their most popular musicals, including The Sound of Music and West Side Story. She was a founding member of SYMCO, the group’s junior branch, and continues to direct for theatre groups around Ireland. During the mid-nineties Emer set up her own theatre company Calliope, and established the Stillorgan Festival of Music and Drama. Emer regularly adjudicates at feiseanna and drama festivals around the country. MONICA FITZPATRICK Director My journey started when my parents encouraged me to join a local drama class at the age of 9 in order to learn the skills needed to cope with a natural shyness. For me this was life changing, and has helped me in every aspect of my life. In 1992 I successfully auditioned for the Gaiety School of Acting two year full time course, the curriculum covered a wide range of subjects, including acting, improvisation, mime, voice, singing, character/ script analysis and theatre studies. On graduation in 1994 I was invited by Joe Dowling to tutor students in the Young Gaiety School. A love for teaching was ignited and since then I have been lucky enough to combine all of my careers successfully - teaching, acting and business.

Emer Halpenny School of Drama - about our school

Established in 1990 in Stillorgan by Emer Halpenny, the drama school has grown considerably since, with over 1,000 graduates. Primarily set up to help children build confidence and channel their creative talents through drama and the theatre, many students have progressed into the dramatic arts, and some have made names for themselves in the world of film and television. Our objective is the development of the child through drama. We want our students simply to understand that they are creative geniuses and that we want them to have fun!

EMER HALPENNY
Director and Founder
With a background in film and television, Emer studied under Deirdre Galassi, the Irish Board of Speech and Drama and with Trinity College in London, with whom she is a Licentiate.

Emer was a member of Stillorgan Musical Company (SMCO) for many years and directed some of their most popular musicals, including The Sound of Music and West Side Story. She was a founding member of SYMCO, the group’s junior branch, and continues to direct for theatre groups around Ireland. During the mid-nineties Emer set up her own theatre company Calliope, and established the Stillorgan Festival of Music and Drama. Emer regularly adjudicates at feiseanna and drama festivals around the country.

MONICA FITZPATRICK
Director
My journey started when my parents encouraged me to join a local drama class at the age of 9 in order to learn the skills needed to cope with a natural shyness.
For me this was life changing, and has helped me in every aspect of my life. In 1992 I successfully auditioned for the Gaiety School of Acting two year full time course, the curriculum covered a wide range of subjects, including acting, improvisation, mime, voice, singing, character/ script analysis and theatre studies.

On graduation in 1994 I was invited by Joe Dowling to tutor students in the Young Gaiety School. A love for teaching was ignited and since then I have been lucky enough to combine all of my careers successfully - teaching, acting and business.