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.

Get out of your comfort zone! Booking now open for all three of our Spring courses.

screen-shot-2018-02-16-at-17-48-07“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

level3

Try one of our signature beginner classes and you won’t regret it! Always been curious about the acting game? Try our six week Thursday night class in Beginners’ Acting for Adults starting March 22. quote4-wFond of developing story-lines and characters but don’t know how to get started with a writing project or just haven’t developed a good discipline? Try our six week class Tuesday night class in Beginners’ Creative Writing.

Or have you always liked drawing or just want to try it out? It’s a fantastic way to unwind and relax. Try our six week Tuesday night class in Beginners’ Drawing.

Life drawing #pencil

Life drawing #pencil

At Act The Maggot – everyone is a beginner!! Some of our maggots have tried all three at different times of the year. Take a look around and make up your mind. We answer queries at acttthemaggot@gmail.com

Friday Pick: HOME at The New Theatre Jan 23 to Feb 3, 2018

Aside

home-megan-image-4New play HOME kicks off The New Theatre’s spring season of new work by female playwrights.
The play is centred around the trial of Anna Kelly, a first year college student who finds herself in court for allegedly defying an injunction put in place to prevent her from having for an abortion. The audience act as jury and vote on the outcome of the trial, deciding the end of the play and Anna’s fate.
HOME was inspired by the urge to explore what consent means in regard to Irish law, and the legal risk associated with seeking an abortion in Ireland. The audience are given a rare opportunity to interrogate what can often be considered the “grey areas” of consent and abortion law in Ireland in light of where the law stands in relation to these topics. The play is certainly topical, given the weight the recent #metoo campaign has carried in the media and the Dáil who are about to resume session to finalise plans for the Eighth Amendment referendum in 2018.

Preview Jan 22nd 7.30pm // Jan 23rd – Feb 3rd at 7.30pm

Anna is a first year college student who is on trial for allegedly defying an injunction put in place to stop her continuing with her plans to have an abortion. It is now time for you, the jury; to listen to the facts of the case and decide the verdict.

Imagine you’re a fresher. Newly single in the big city, you’re mad for two things: The Sesh and Tinder. Now imagine waking up with no recollection of the night before and your Tinder date is creeping out of your room because he thinks you are still asleep.

With over 60 Scenes, 10 Characters, 4 Actors and a verdict to decide, HOME will have you fighting to be on jury duty. 

First presented as a work in progress at the Scene + Heard festival in February 2017, Megan O’ Malley’s new play HOME is an exploration into what happens when the authorities get involved in the often-regarded “grey areas” of consent and abortion law in Ireland. HOME puts the verdict in the audience’s hands, giving you the opportunity to anonymously vote on Anna’s fate after being presented with both sides of the case.

HOME is written by Megan O’ Malley, a graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting’s full time course, and current MA in Theatre Practice student in UCD. Megan performs the role of Anna in HOME. As an actor, Megan has worked with Smashing Times Theatre Company on Women in 1916, starred in Kerry Gold’s TV commercial, was awarded the Gaiety Bursary and the F.A.B. bursary award for Best Actress 16-21. As a writer, Megan was the first in the school’s history to premier her own work ‘MJ’ for the GSA graduation industry showcase. She also worked alongside Paul Meade for her Manifesto piece The Mourning Seat. From there Megan worked with Paul Meade over 2016 in developing her idea for HOME. Director Fiona Frawley is a graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting and an MA in Advanced Theatre Practice (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama). She has cowrote, and performed in shows such as That’s So 90’s (2017), and Welcome to Sidebank (2017) in London and Beauty Queen Dreams (2016) in Dublin.
 
HOME is performed by
Megan O’ Malley
Gordon Quigley
Ethan Dillon
Gemma Kane
 
Directed by Fiona Frawley
Produced by Kelley Gissane
Lighting Design by Shane Gill
Set Design by Áine O’ Hara
Stage managed by Megan Lynch
BOOKING INFO
The New Theatre 

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.

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!

 

Act The Maggot to begin a new chapter!

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xmasAct The Maggot is thrilled to be starting a new chapter in our ever developing story! That’s right, we have found a brand new home at Chapterhouse on Middle Abbey Street, right in the heart of Dublin city centre. We look forward to opening the doors of No. 73 for our signature beginner courses in Acting, Creative Writing and Drawing all kicking off the last week of January 2018. We also plan to offer some new courses and one off workshops throughout the year. We will launch a 12-week course called The Artist’s Way and a 6-week course in Public Speaking. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and feel free to contact is at anytime with your queries. Until then, have a great festive season and a very happy new year.chapterhouse

‘Tis the season! What’s new with those maggots?

xmasCHRIMPROV: It’s all go here at Act The Maggot. The Christmas Party this year has been dubbed the ChrIMPROV!! We will host a free Improv session on Dec 7th followed by a few seasonal drinks. This is open to maggots from over the years. Come back! Say hi! Whip out your wackiest character and come have the craic with your old classmates – or meet some new maggots. There is no doubt you have all got something in common! Maggotology? Maggotiness? Maggotanaeity? Maggotificence? Whatever. Join us.
OTHER NEWS: Our current beginners’ acting class is in full swing. I hear this week they were massaging their vocal chords and rolling all over the floor in their Temple bar studio.  The things you do of Thursday, wha! SHOWCASE: Elsewhere in city centre, our Level 3 maggots are up to ninety putting the finishing touches to their scenes.  They have all been working really hard. Fourteen actors will star in seven different scenes in the Act The Maggot showcase on November 30th. Break a leg guys! That is sure to be a highly entertaining evening. And no doubt a few drinks will be had after to celebrate. CASTING INFO: There is an interesting Q&A session happening over in Smithfield on Monday night, Nov 27th with top dog casting director, Priscilla John. It’s free, so if you want to know more about the business from her point of view, get thee to eventbrite and sign up for it here. NEW COURSES: Booking has already begun on our 2018 courses, so get cracking  if you want to try your hand at beginners acting, creative writing or drawing. New Year, New You? Go for it guys. You won’t regret it. We are delivering another of our regular introduction to Mindfulness workshops in Rathmines this weekend and Act The Maggot is thrilled to announce it’s new venture with Elavon Financial Services – bringing Mindfulness to the corporate sector to their offices in Cherrywood, Dublin and Arklow. That’s all for now folks! Looking forward to a calm December!!!

See latest testimonials for Beginner Acting classes

BEGINNERS

“From start to finish, this course was absolutely fantastic. It totally pushed me outside of my comfort zone and had me doing things I never envisaged myself doing. It really opened my mind to new experiences, the course content and the course leader were fab. Would recommend to anyone!”

“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.”

“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.”

“Really fun, energetic and challenging. Very encouraging and supportive environment. I would highly recommend it.”

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

“I would recommend the course to anyone who wants to challenge themselves in a fun safe environment.”

Participant feedback from Sept 2017 course. Thanks guys!

If you’d like to know more about the next class starting at the end of January 2018 take a look at this page which will give you all the details. Contact us if you have any questions. actthemaggot@gmail.com