On the Town: Young people from theatre groups all around the State, including Shane Walsh (13), Garry Concannon (12), Kieran McGowan (13) and Máire Bell (15) from Castlebar, Co Mayo, and David Aherne (9) from Cork city, crowded in to see President Mary McAleese.
"Every generation is entitled to have its own genius revealed. We need this generation to believe that their day is here, that their day is now," said the President when she spoke at the 25th birthday celebration of the National Association for Youth Drama (NAYD), in Dublin Castle, last Monday. "It's primarily about having fun and through that fun about finding your way in the world," said President McAleese. "It's much better than homework," she said to much delight. "You don't know what's inside yourself until you start expressing yourself."
At the party, the association also celebrated the publication of Play Share Vol I, a collection of plays written for young people. "Thousands of young people have come through youth theatre in Ireland," said NAYD director Orlaith McBride. "Many grace our stages today as actors, writers, directors and technicians and are proud to cite their youth theatre experience as framing their future career. We hope that [Play Share] Volume I will encourage other youth theatres and playwrights to submit their work to us," she said.
As part of the celebrations Dave Kelly and John White co-directed a short performance by 16 young people from theatre groups throughout the country, including Annmarie Dunne (15) from Newbridge, Co Kildare, and Laura Cafferty (19) from Charlestown, Co Mayo.
Among those who enjoyed the performance was Arts Council director Mary Cloake, actor Rosaleen Linehan, playwright Declan Gorman and partner Sharon Cromwell, of the Drogheda Youth Theatre, and their daughters Mona (2) and Maisie (8).
For more information about the National Association of Youth Drama tel: 01-8781301; e-mail: info@nayd.ie or see www.youthdrama.ie