My Experience in the Irish Arts Scene as a Theater Student Abroad

As a theater acting and performance major, coming to Dublin for a study abroad semester has been a life highlight. I knew that the city had a great theater scene before I arrived, but I have been overwhelmed with how truly rich and interesting the history of storytelling, plays, and music is in Ireland. CEA CAPA has made my arts experience here very fulfilling and provided me amazing opportunities. Here’s an overview of the most interesting parts of being a theater student in Ireland.

Storytelling/Modern Irish Theater

You might have heard that the Irish have the “the gift of the gab,” and I would say that’s very true! The country has a vast history of storytelling and folklore—think the banshee, fairies, Tír na nÓg—that are all set against its vibrant landscapes. Seanchaí is the Gaelic word for storyteller, and the role of the seanchaí was valued in historic Gaelic communities as essential. In medieval times, they were the keepers of legends and stories, but also of laws and rules.

This semester, I have taken a class all about storytelling. I’ve strengthened my skills as a writer, but also learned how to tell stories verbally, how to be a good listener, and I’ve learned some important aspects of the modern history of Ireland. This history of storytelling in Ireland is the foundation that the country’s affinity for powerful theater lies upon, and I feel so grateful to have learned about it.

Photo from my visit to the Cliffs of Moher, said to be home to many otherworldly myths and creatures!

Classes

I take an Irish Performance class at the Gaiety School of Acting (Colin Farrel went there!), and have loved learning how to dig into Irish text. It’s interesting to learn a new acting style from my point of view as an American. It feels like theatrical cross-training, where I will come home with a refreshed perspective on American theater next semester!

I also take a class called The Playwright in Practice, where I have discovered playwriting to be a new passion of mine. Each week, we read a new play by an Irish playwright and write a scene based on an inspiring prompt word. The class is low pressure and about half of the students are non-theater majors which makes for some really refreshing collaborations. I also take the aforementioned storytelling class, which of course ties into theater, and I take an Irish Film and Literature class where we dissect Irish plot conventions.

Outside view of the Gaiety School of Acting.

Live Shows

Through my courses, I have been given the opportunity to see eight plays here in the last three months! These plays have been at iconic theaters like the National Theatre of Ireland, Trinity’s Lir Academy, and Dublin’s oldest theater Smock Alley (opened in 1662!). My favorite experience was the Scene and Heard Festival, Dublin’s new works/fringe festival. The fest spans for two weeks and works on a block system, where audience members buy a ticket for one one-hour “block” which usually consists of two short plays. I saw some of my favorite shows at Scene and Heard, and such a great variety overall! I’ve also noticed that it’s not uncommon for arts venues to host theater in addition to other art forms like concerts, standup, and film on a rotating basis. This adds to the interconnectedness of the arts scene in Dublin, which I love.

View from my seat at night one of Scene and Heard fest!

Internship

I chose to do an internship along with my classes and I think that was an amazing decision on my part! I have an interest in film production and acting, and was placed at the Dublin International Film Festival. I helped prepare for festival week, then got to work in almost every department during the 11-day festival. You guys, I made SO many theater connections! The arts community is always so much smaller than I think. I met theater actors within the staff at DIFF, connected with up-and-coming directors in the industry, and got to discuss my career goals with seasoned veterans of cinema. It was delightful. A friend of mine who is also a theater student here in Dublin was placed at the iconic Gate Theatre, where she has assisted in the opening of three incredible plays. If you have the opportunity to do an internship abroad, take it!

Me on the red carpet at DIFF!

Irish Theater

It has been very interesting to study the conventions of Irish theater and story plots throughout my time here. I’ve noticed in my performance class that the acting is a lot more “straight” and natural. The notes that we get the most from our acting professor in class are: “don’t move if you don’t have a reason to move" and “don’t act it, just say it.” It’s been an exercise in physicality and has activated a totally new part of my brain which I’m very excited to explore more when I return to my home university courses. Many Irish stories that we have watched in our film class center on the limits of communication, love, modernity vs tradition, folklore, and nostalgia.

It is also interesting to be in Ireland studying acting at a time when so many Irish actors (Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan) are rising to success. In general, it seems that the Irish art community is very proud of the success of these actors and has a genuine excitement to see Ireland represented onscreen free of stereotype or ridicule.

Wall of portraits of iconic Irish theater makers, on display at the National Theatre of Ireland.

Studying theater in Ireland has been the experience of a lifetime, and I know I’ll take what I’ve learned here with me through the rest of my career. I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes about storytelling which comes from writer Clare Mulvaney: “A life well lived is the storyteller’s art.”