Performing Arts

Performing Arts

Performing Arts is a huge part of the culture and community of Castlepollard Community College. Students are encouraged to express themselves creatively through music, drama and live performance, with opportunities available throughout the school year both on stage and behind the scenes.

Drama

The Performing Arts programme has gone from strength to strength since the school’s first musical, Voulez Vous, in 2014. Since then, students have performed in a wide range of successful productions including Mamma Mia!, Oklahoma!, Big Maggie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Breakfast Club and Back to the 80s.

More recently, Showtime Showdown has become a major highlight of the school calendar. The production showcases a wide variety of student talent through music, drama, dance, comedy and live performances, involving students from across all year groups.

Large numbers of students become involved each year, both on stage and behind the scenes through acting, singing, choreography, lighting, sound, costume, set design and stage management. School productions continue to play a major role in building confidence, teamwork and school spirit within the college.

School Choir

The school choir continues to grow from strength to strength, with increasing participation each year. The choir performs regularly at school events including Open Night, graduation ceremonies, awards nights, masses and community events.

Students have also represented the school proudly in competitions and public performances, earning praise for their enthusiasm and musical ability. A particular highlight each Christmas is the choir’s visit to local nursing homes where students perform festive music for residents and staff.

Curriculum

Music is a very popular subject at both Junior and Senior Cycle, with strong student uptake year after year.

Drama is also offered as part of the Transition Year programme, where students have opportunities to explore acting, scriptwriting, improvisation and live performance. Transition Year students regularly participate in workshops and competitions, including the RTÉ Playwriting Competition, where the school has achieved success in recent years.

Awards and Achievements

Students from Castlepollard Community College have enjoyed success in a range of drama competitions over the years, particularly at the Briery Gap Schools Drama Competition.

Productions such as The Breakfast Club and Big Maggie received critical acclaim, with students earning awards including Best Lead Role and Best Newcomer.

A recent highlight was Still, an original production written and directed by students Claire Walshe and Laura Delaney and performed at the Everyman Theatre in Cork. Featuring a cast of Transition Year students, the production received the runners-up award at the Briery Gap Schools Drama Competition, while Michaela Byrne won the award for Best Single Performance.

Performing Arts continues to play an important role in promoting creativity, confidence, wellbeing and community within Castlepollard Community College, and students are encouraged to become involved and develop their talents to their full potential.