Culture Night

culturenightFun times ahead at Act The Maggot HQ on Middle Abbey Street this Autumn. We can’t wait to get these groups running at full throttle until Christmas. We must also get our 2019 party venue sorted. Hey, maybe we will start the party season early and do a fancy dress Halloween extravaganza. So many plans. Not enough time.

Culture Night

One thing is for sure, the free Culture Night sessions we are offering for free are booking out quickly. Sign uo for a one hour session and choose from Public Speaking, Drawing, Creative Writing or Acting.

To read about our Culture Night offering head over to their website here.
Enjoy the rest of summer.

Improvisation Weekend

Improvisation Weekend Intensive – Dublin

Kickstart your improv journey with this fun, immersive and thought-provoking weekend. Not everyone can make or get into our Thursday night top-selling flaghship course – Beginners Acting – consider this improvisation weekend and join us in this intensive and hilarious exploration of the basic principles of improvisation and acting. This course is perfect for curious beginners or those who would love to get back on their creativity saddle! Act The Maggot knows improvisation  – we’ve been at it nearly 10 years!

Who can take this Improvisation Weekend Intensive?

People who ARE NOT based in Dublin and cannot attend our evening classes.
People who ARE based in Dublin and cannot attend our evening classes.
People who did Act The Maggot before and want a refresher.
Peiople who want to get out of their comfort zone.
People who have NO experience in acting or improv.
People who want to work on their confidence, creativity and communication skills.
PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ACT THE MAGGOT!!!

CACI3

What are the dates for the improvisation weekend intensive?

Friday, March 27th, 2020 to Sunday, March 29th, 2020

What are the workshop hours for the improvisation weekend intensive?

Friday
7.30pm to 9.30pm followed by welcome drinks nearby.
Saturday
10.30am to 1pm LUNCH 2pm to 4.30pm
Sunday
10.30am to 1pm

Where does it take place?

All sessions will take place in Chapterhouse Education, 73 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1.

I don’t know Dublin, where will I stay?

Get in touch with us and we can advise on neighbourhoods, transport, restaurants etc.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the improvisation weekend intensive?

You must be over 18.

How much does the improvisation weekend intensive cost?

€240.00 or get the early bird price of €180.00 if you book before Dec 15, 2019 (concessions available upon request)

What does this fee cover?

Entrance into all four sessions, Friday night, Sat morn & afternoon and Sunday morning.

How do I pay?

Contact us via email – actthemaggot@gmail.com – put Improvisation Weekend in the subject line.

Draw out the fun in yourself this Autumn

tootoot Act, Write or Draw! It’s playtime folks! Here’s your chance to tap into your inner maggot, er sorry your inner child. Have lots of fun trying out new hobbies or rekindling your love of old ones having let life get in the way. Our previous students from our Beginners Drawing, Beginners Creative Writing and Beginners Acting classes have lots to say about how Act The Maggot has impacted on their everyday lives, from feeling lighter, more creative, more social and even noticing these benefits while at work!

“Act the maggot took me to a place I haven’t been since I was a child. A place of pure joy. You meet great people from all walks of life and form firm friendships. I got to express myself in a way that I could never do in any conventional adult learning scenario and it made me feel like I was 10 feet tall.”
– Shane Lynam, Director, Elearn.ie
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So come try it out. It might be hard to get a place but we are worth that waiting list. What’s all the rage this Autumn is our new Drawing class and our consistently popular Creative Writing and Acting classes. All of them are geared towards the beginner.

“You spend so much time laughing that you don’t realise until the end of the course how much change has taken place and how much inhibition has been shed.”
– Grainne Daly, Enterprise ireland

If you’d like to know more about the story and genesis of Act The Maggot – read about it in the Dublin Inquirer. If you want to sign up for our next courses in Drawing, Creative Writing, Acting or Public Speaking please drop us an email to actthemaggot@gmail.com – you can see all the relevant info about each class on their links.

“For anyone giving a speech, a presentation, or talking in public, I would really recommend ‘Act The Maggot.’ Amy made it much much easier than I could ever have imagined. This course certainly made me feel a whole lot better and no longer do I have that sense of dread or fear.” Shane Donohoe – former student.
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Culture Night Madness

img_4446.jpgYes. It’s finally almost here. Culture Night is coming this Friday, September 21, 2018. We cannot wait. Act The Maggot is absolutely thrilled to be part of this amazing adventure @CultureNight We are offering free taster classes in beginners Drawing, Beginners Creative Writing, Beginners Improv and Mindfulness Meditation for Beginners. We are so excited to meet you all on Middle Abbey Street in Dublin! Culture Night has become a huge, national event and it reminds us of all the amazing experiences we can avail of right here in our cities and towns thanks to the tireless work of people who dedicate their lives to working in area of arts and culture. Go on, for Dubliners anyway, explore your city then yourself! Our Drawing classes are totally booked our but there are still some free spots left in Improv, Creative Writing or Mindfulness. Book here

Note: For those who come on the night, you will also have the opportunity to register on the night for our next batch of courses in Creative Writing, Drawing or Acting – all fun for the beginner!

Book into next Beginners Acting. Hurry!

tootootEmail us at actthemaggot@gmail.com or call/text 087 3744926 if you want to join our next class starting May 10th. Read more here. You can take an acting class at any stage of your life. Whether you are eighteen or fifty-eight! The benefits are enormous. Get out of your comfort zone and have fun this summer with our flagship Beginners’ Acting class in city centre! Every week for six weeks, join a bunch of like-minded people and have heaps of laughs tapping into your creativity in ways you have totally forgotten. Most people say it’s such a tonic allowing yourself to play and have craic in a safe, respectful environment. There are only two more courses running before we take our summer break. The next course starts next Thursday, May 10th and runs until June 14th! After that there will be one final course starting on June 28th and finishing up on August 2.

Here are just some of the comments from previous maggots.

“Act the maggot took me to a place I haven’t been since I was a child. A place of pure joy. You meet great people from all walks of life and form firm friendships. I got to express myself in a way that I could never do in any conventional adult learning scenario and it made me feel like I was 10 feet tall.”
– Shane Lynam, Director, Elearn.ie

“I signed up to Act the Maggot to try something a bit different, I wanted to venture into the wilderness beyond my comfort zone but I soon found that I was totally comfortable outside of my comfort-zone. Act the Maggot just expands your comfort zone so that’s all there is. Classes like this are only ever as good as the person running them – luckily Amy is super fun, a master at her craft and really down-to-earth. She has a way of getting you to do things you wouldn’t usually do and she does it in such a way that it’s not scary at all. Everyone in the class was really friendly and willing to throw themselves into the thick of it. If you’re looking for a lot of laughs and a weekly holiday from reality this course will be perfect for you!”
– Alice Walsh, Librarian, Getty Images

“I would highly recommend the course to anyone who is looking to get an enjoyably informative and casual introduction to acting! Act the Maggot gives you a little taste of acting and public speaking while working as a medium through which you can meet some really interesting and really nice people that you would never meet otherwise! It definitely left me dying to try the next class and see what else Act the Maggot has to offer!”
– Sharon Moorhouse, TV3

Email us at actthemaggot@gmail.com or call/text 087 3744926

Beginners Acting class go on stage for first time!

lev2-may3They knocked it out of the park! Yes. Our Level 2 Acting class took their polished monologues to the stage last night to a rapt and appreciative audience. They had shown up to class and worked consistently over the past five weeks and that imagination and effort definitely paid off. It was hard to believe that for most of them, it was their very first time to perform in front of a live audience. Although their hearts were all rattling around inside their chests – the audience was none the wiser – they got rounded characters with great stories to tell. Well done all. We were sorry that a number of classmates, due to work or health issues were not able to take part in the showcase. They were missed. They can always hop onto the September Level 2 class. It is wonderful to watch the transformation of these students.  They arrive as complete beginners. Most of them start out even a little intimidated or shy! Yes. Hard to believe. But the metamorphosis that takes place is beautiful to see. The foundation of the six week Beginners Acting class has given them a clear understanding of what is expected in order to work towards a first time performance.  Then in just five short weeks they get themselves ready to take the stage with a memorised and fully rehearsed character. Really well done to all of them. The audience feedback was excellent. Definitely looking forward to seeing how these maggots develop in Level 3. If you think acting is something you might like to try, get in touch. Maggots come for a myriad of reasons. Some sign up to learn the rudiments of acting, others join us to develop confidence for public speaking engagements, others for the social aspect. One thing is for sure, that everyone comes to laugh and act the maggot once a week for a few hours. Take a look around the website and read our testimonials

If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate to drop us a line at acthemaggot@gmail.com.

“Create” your way to better mental health this summer

img_4446.jpgSometimes it can feel that becoming well again and staying well is all hard work and no fun at all. “Eat well, exercise, sleep early, take your meds, don’t drink too much alcohol, tea or coffee, avoid noisy, loud places – learn to meditate and how to stand on your head or do the downward dog!! Are you tired of being so serious about minding your mental health? Do you feel like having some fun? The road to recovery can be a winding, challenging journey but it can be an enjoyable one too, when shared with peers. Remembering how to act the maggot again can be an integral part of your recovery. Build confidence and have fun tapping into your creativity with this 6-week course. During this Drama for Self Esteem course you will explore gentle, fun drama exercises in a safe, relaxed environment. Simple mindfulness tools will also be incorporated into each session. Confidentiality and mutual respect is important in order to build group trust so participants can learn, have fun and really enjoy themselves. Limited places.nido2
Drama for Self Esteem – Lantern Centre, Dublin. See googlemaps

Thursdays 2pm – 4pm – May 10 to June 14, 2018   – €150 per person.

Participants can be any age as long as they are over 18!
Wear loose comfortable clothing and bring water.

N.B. This course is recommended to compliment your current wellness treatment plan. While the benefits may be therapeutic, this course is not intended as a replacement for any form of therapy. If the idea of signing up for this course excites you more than it scares you (a little bit of fear is good!) and you feel you are able for the social aspect, get in touch. Maybe you can seek the advice of your counsellor, GP, family or friends. If you feel you are not up to taking part right now, that’s ok too. Don’t rush yourself. Be kind and patient with yourself. This course will happen again.

Who is this course for?
Mental Health Therapists ◆ Psychologists Social Workers, Teachers ◆ University Lecturers ◆ Psychotherapists ◆ Medical Doctors ◆ Nurses ◆ Carers ◆ Healers ◆ Art Therapists ◆ Students ◆ Psychiatrists ◆ Psychiatric Nurses ◆ Mental Health Nurses ◆ Support Workers ◆ Counsellors ◆ Clinical Managers ◆ Holistic Therapists ◆ Parents ◆ Facilitators ◆ Coaches ◆ Drugs Project Workers ◆ Social Workers ◆ and anybody who wants to empower and support their own or someone else’s Health and Healing.

Drama for Self Esteem will take place on Thursday afternoons from 2pm – 4pm – May 10 to June 14, 2018 in the

Zephyr Room,
Lantern Centre,
15 Synge St.,
Dublin 8, Ireland
See googlemaps

For more information or to book your place please contact actthemaggot@gmail.com

Happy New Year 2018

Wishing all you maggots, non-maggots and maggots-in-the-making much health and happiness for the coming year. May you entertain and be entertained.

Improv can change your life

Spotted a great article recently in the Guardian newspaper about the power of Improv to help fight anxiety and build confidence. Perhaps 2018 will be your year to move outside your comfort zone and try a beginner’s acting class. Our beginner’s acting class teaches you the rudiments of improvisation. We create a fun, supportive environment where participants can learn to truly act the maggot! No-one is judging and everyone spurs one another on. Here are some of the latest testimonials:

“Act the Maggot was a wonderful addition to my week. I enjoyed every class and learned a lot as I let my creative side free. Thank you.”

“I was very satisfied with the level 1 acting course. It had what I was hoping for – taking me outside of my comfort zone, meeting fun people and having the craic.”

“Enlightening”

“It was fantastic, really well spread out and the increase in difficulty each week was great as it really took me out of my comfort zone.”

“It was brilliant. Fun and learned lots.”

“Enjoyed the experience, meeting lovely people in a playful environment.”

There are still places available on our end of January course. Contact us with any queries – actthemaggot@gmail.com – If you don’t think acting is your bag you can always sign up for our fun creative writing or drawing courses. All of our six week courses take place in Dublin city centre on Middle Abbey Street.

Read fresh testimonials! Join us in 2018

IMG_2801“Act the Maggot was a wonderful addition to my week. I enjoyed every class and learned a lot as I let my creative side free. Thank you.”

“I was very satisfied with the level 1 acting course. It had what I was hoping for – taking me outside of my comfort zone, meeting fun people and having the craic.”

“Enlightening”

“It was fantastic, really well spread out and the increase in difficulty each week was great as it really took me out of my comfort zone.”

“It was brilliant. Fun and learned lots.”

“Enjoyed the experience, meeting lovely people in a playful environment.”

For more information on new beginners acting, drawing or creative writing classes in 2018, click on each hyperlink and drop us an email actthemaggot@gmail.com – Yes! There are places available. We will put on extra courses to satisfy demand. Happy Christmas one and all!