Stagewrite
Curtain Rises on Stars of StageWrite 2012
Well done to all the pupils who took part in Stagewrite 2012 showing what they think makes ‘My Perfect School’. StageWrite 2012 kicked off on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th March with 6 schools throughout the district taking part. Stagewrite is joint arts development opportunity between the North West Regional College (NWRC), The Alley Theatre, Strabane District Council and Concensus supported by EU Peace III Programme, managed by Special EU Programmes Body.
StageWrite allows primary pupils to write, direct and perform their own plays under the direction of NWRC Performing Arts students around the theme ‘My Perfect School’. Taking to Alley Stage in what was the first for many of the children, the six participating schools danced, sang and acted their way through their 20 minute plays.
Anne McMaster facilitator at the North West Regional College commented ‘I always look forward to StageWrite this is our 4th year in this very successful project and I am always amazed and extremely impressed with the enthusiasm and imagination of the pupils. This years schools who took part were Altishane Primary School, Killen Primary School, Newtownstewart Model Primary School, Ardstraw Primary School, Barrrack St Boys Primary School and St. Anne’s Primary School. All the pupils and directors had a great time as StageWrite teaches young children presentation, confidence and team building skills, which are invaluable and lifelong lessons which these children will take throughout their school careers and into adulthood. Each school wrote what they thought makes their perfect school or what would make their perfect school and the stories ranged from having a great group of friends to the more adventurous of having an Olympic size swimming pool. My second year performing arts students helped the pupils to transform their original stories into the plays we have seen over the past couple of nights and I think we can all agree that they have done a tremendous job. I know my students will be sad to say goodbye to the pupils after all their hard work and laughs along the way.’
Rosaleen Gallagher Training and Development officer with Concensus said on behalf of the Concensus program “I would like to congratulate all drama group participants who took part and thank you to the Alley Theatre and Strabane District Council for making the StageWrite 2012 such a great event .
John Kerr Manager of the Alley Theatre concluded ‘I would like to thank our sponsors Consensus for all of their support, the schools who took part, the pupils who performed and the NWRC students and teaching staff for directing two nights of great drama. The key aim of StageWrite was to give pupils an opportunity to build confidence and develop self esteem in a working environment and this was certainly achieved by the creative productions which we have just seen – well done to all involved’.
Youth of the North West get set for
StageWrite 2012.
Six primary schools from all across Strabane District came to the Alley Theatre, su
pported by Caffé Fresco last week to launch the fourth year of StageWrite. StageWrite 2012 is a unique arts development opportunity which draws together North West Regional College (NWRC), The Alley Theatre, Strabane District Council and Concensus in an innovative and imaginative link with primary schools in the Strabane area. The CONCENSUS Initiative is promoted by the Belfast Unemployment Resource Centre with support from the EU’s PEACE III Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
The CONCENSUS Initiative is concerned with progressing towards a peaceful and stable society and promoting reconciliation through working in coordination with local people to develop local sustainable communities. If you would like more information contact Rosaleen Gallagher
rosaleen.gallagher@achieve-concensus.org
Eager students from North West Regional College Level 3 Extended Diploma are going to be swapping their classrooms for the directors chair shortly, as they prepare to take charge of the primary 7 pupils from Altishane Primary School, Ardstraw Primary School, Newtownstewart Model Primary School, Killen Primary School, St Anne’s Primary School and Barrack Street Boys Primary School who will be taking part in the two day festival on the 8th and 9th of May.
The launch event gave the pupils an idea of what to expect. After a hilarious show put on by the NWRC students it was explained to the primary pupils how they will be adapting their unique stories into short 20 minute plays. They will experience many artistic elements from the outset: considering ideas for a themed storyline, agreeing the creative content and drafting the completed script using the theme of ‘My Perfect School.’ The 2 year performing arts course at the College’s Strand Rd Campus includes both performance and production studies, so the Stagewrite project helps students to develop their own theoretical, organisational and practical work at a professional level in a professional theatre setting.
Anne McMaster Performing Arts Lecturer at NWRC commented at the launch ‘I am always astounded at the imagination of the pupils, we give them a theme and the stories that they come up with are unbelievable. I can’t wait to see how they 
adapt their stories into performing art. StageWrite 2012 allows pupils to gain an understanding of the performance processes involved in putting together a theatrical performance; they will both understand their limitations and explore their potential via their work with NWRC ND Performing Arts students and their visits to the theatre. They will develop life-long skills as highlighted in the schools’ curriculum: self-management, creativity, working with others and managing information, developing thinking and decision making skills’.
Both the performing arts students and pupils have a busy couple of weeks ahead as they transform their stories into dramatic masterpieces to be performed in the Alley Theatre on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th March at 7pm. For further information contact the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 71 384444.
Student’s of Stagewrite 2011 show ‘It’s a
Funny Young World’
Well done to all the pupils who took part in Stagewrite 2011 showing that it certainly is ‘Funny Young World’ in Strabane.
StageWrite 2011 kicked off on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th March with 8 schools throughout the district taking part. Stagewrite which is joint arts development opportunity between the North West Regional College (NWRC), The Alley Theatre, Strabane District Council and Concensus suppoerted by EU Peace III Programme, managed by Specail EU Programmes Body. This allows pupils to write, direct and perform their own plays under the direction of NWRC Performing Arts students around the theme ‘Funny Young World’ Exploring Difference though Humour’.
John Kerr from the Alley Theatre explained ‘This is our 3rd year running StageWrite and every year we are astounded with the imagination the children have to come up with completely different and unique stories. This year we had Newtownstewart Model Priamry School, St Patricks Primary School (Dunamanagh), Killen Primary School, Erganangh Primary School, St Anne’s Primary School, St. Columba’s Primary School, Ardstraw Primary School and St Mary’s Girls Primary School. Stories ranged from granny’s entering the Olympics to Superhero’s to our very own house swap in Strabane, there was even an impersonation of myself - StageWrite has seen it all this year’.
‘The key aim of Stagewrite 2011 is to provide Primary pupils the opportunity to build confidence and develop self-esteem as they move through the creative processes of developing, rehearsing and performing a uniquely artistic performance. This is the first time many of the pupils have been on stage and performed in front of a live audience. As well as this they were able to access industry-specific technical sound and lighting knowledge; skills that can be applied in the formulation of future school productions.’
Speaking at the event Performing Arts Lecturer at NWRC Anne McMaster expressed ‘I am so proud of my ND2 Performing Arts students as they have clutched their notes and scripts and became working directors for the first time and I can see how proud they are of their pupils who have all done a brilliant job in such a short time, these kids have laughed, danced and acted their hearts and souls out and I can see here that the audience is just as proud as we are’.
Chairperson of Strabane District Council Micheala Boyle thanked North West Regional College, Concensus, The Alley Theatre and Good Relations of Strabane District Council, the schools that took part and the directors for making such a wonderful event happen.
The CONCENSUS Initiative is promoted by the Belfast Unemployment Resource Centre with support from the Special European Union Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. The CONCENSUS Initiative is concerned with progressing towards a peaceful and stable society and promoting reconciliation through working in coordination with local people to develop local sustainable communities.
The Concensus program is funded by SEUPB.
Rosaleen Gallagher said she was delighted for the Concensus program to be involved in a supporting role and partnership with StageWrite promoting sustainable communities and Peace and reconciliation.
For more information on the CONCENSUS Initiative please visit www.achieve-concensus.org 
Stars of Stagewrite 2011
School children from all over County Tyrone came together this week in the launch of StageWrite at the award winning Alley Theatre, Strabane. StageWrite 2011 is a unique arts development project which is co-ordinated by the North West College in Partnership with the DISC program under the umbrella of Concensus Lets Live and work together program, the Strabane District Council and the Alley Theatre.
This project enables P6 and P7 children to develop short performance pieces based on the theme of Pride of Place and Community in the theme of ‘Funny Young World: Exploring Differences through Humour.’ The pupils who have written their own stories will stage and perform these stories into a theatrical play under the direction of 2nd year students of NWRC. These fantastic plays will take to the stage on the 10th and 11th of March at 7p.m
Emma Simpson Marketing Officer at the Alley Theatre comments ‘this year the 8 primary schools involved are Newtownstewart Model Primary School, Ardstraw Primary School, Killen Primary School, Erganagh Primary School, St. Anne’s Primary School, St. Columba’s Primary School, St. Patrick’s Primary School and St. Mary’s Girls Primary School. All schools have submitted great and imaginative stories; it will be great to see them acted out on stage.’ Students from North West Regional College’s Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts showed the selected pupils how it was done, performing a hilarious sketch at the Alley Theatre, to launch this year’s festival.
Speaking at the launch previous schools that have taken part in StageWrite expressed how happy they are to be part of the event, Principal of St Columba’s Primary School – Colette Maguire commented ‘ This is our 3rd year to participate in the project, it is an excellent opportunity for the children to experience the whole theatrical experience from start to finish’ Dympna McNamee Principal of St Mary’s Girls Primary School also added ‘ St Mary’s Girls love being a part of this festival, it allows them to explore their creative talents from start to finish’. Charlene Goan from Killen Primary School added ‘This is our first year taking part and we can’t wait, it is a great opportunity for children to practice drama with experienced staff and students, it will give them a great sense of accomplishment’
‘The key aim of Stagewrite 2011 is to provide primary pupils the opportunity to build confidence and develop self-esteem as they move through the creative processes of developing, rehearsing and performing a uniquely artistic performance. They will also be able to access industry-specific technical sound and lighting knowledge; skills that can be applied in the formulation of future school productions’ explained Jean Smith Arts Development Officer from Strabane District Council
Tickets can be booked now for the exclusive performances of this year’s 8 shows – Granny, Granny!; I Want to Change; Differences; Man, the Arcade was awesome…; The Magic Flower; Microsoft Minds; Funny Young World; The Difference my Dog made. The shows will start at 7pm on 10th& 11th March with tickets starting at just £2 each.
For further information contact the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 71 384444 or click here
Stars of Stagewrite 2010
Shine at the Alley
With the expert direction of talented North West Regional College drama students, a treasure trove of original ideas from children across Strabane district and lots 
of hard work from local primary schools, Stagewrite 2010, the North West’s leading primary school drama festival, held at the Alley Theatre and supported by Consensus, has proved to be a massive hit this year.
Now in its second year, Stagewrite 2010, with the support of main sponsor Consensus and in association with the North West Regional College, has developed into a wonderful two day festival of top primary school drama under the theme of ‘My Place, My Community’. Starring eight local Primary Schools, each school was given the wonderful opportunity of seeing their original ideas come to life in the main auditorium of the award-winning Alley in front of a packed audience of friends, family and the general public, eager to see plays ranging from “The Castlederg Princess”, “Crime doesn’t pay” and “Fantastico the Movie!”
Taking to the famous Alley stage, in what was a first for many of 
the children, the eight participating schools acted, sang and danced their way through each of their individual 20 minute pieces on March 10th and 11th, thrilling packed houses on both nights and perhaps even creating stars of the future! One of the pupils who took part in Stagewrite 2010 was Molly Finlay from Edwards Primary in Castlederg, who not only performed on stage, but was also one of the co-writers, “I am so glad that I was able to be in a show at the Alley. Everyone in my class was really nervous about being in front of the audience but when we got started we had great fun and really enjoyed it.”
“This year we had St Columba’s PS, Drumlegagh P.S, St Patrick’s, Ardstraw, Strabane’s Barrack Street Primary School, Ernagnagh P.S, Edwards P.S and the Glebe’s St Theresa’s all taking part” commented John Kerr from the Alley Theatre. “All the pupils and directors had a great time, with Stagewrite 2010 not only offering a fun experience but also taught young children presentation, confidence and team building skills, which are invaluable and lifelong lessons these children will take throughout the school careers and into adulthood. I would like to thank our sponsors Consensus for all of their support, the schools who took part, the pupils who performed and the NWRC students and teaching staff for directing two nights of great drama. This year’s amazing Stagewrite festival has delighted both young and old, performers and audience alike and has certainly fulfilled its brief of allowing pupils to develop new skills and confidence and to strengthen relationships between schools, the college and the local theatre. “For more information about the festival check click here"
North West Regional College Students
take the directors chair
Drama students from North West Regional College are going to be swapping their classrooms for the directors chair shortly, as they prepare to take charge of pupils from eight North West primary schools who will be taking part in the forthcmoning StageWrite Schools Drama Festival 2010. StageWrite is the leading primary schools drama festival held in the North West, taking place each year at 
the Alley Theatre between March 8th and 9th.
StageWrite 2010 will feature eight 20 minute plays which will be performed by students from Edwards Primary School, Erganagh Primary School, St Theresa’s PS, Glebe, St Patricks, Donnemana, Ardstraw P.S, St Columba’s P.S, Clady, Drumleagh P.S and Barrack St Boys, Strabane. “We are really excited about this project” commented one of the drama students taking part in the project. “Strabane’s Alley is a great venue and the pupils are really looking forward to it. We have been busy preparing drama sessions for the primary school pupils, which I hope they enjoy as much as we enjoyed putting them together”.
Alley Manager John Kerr comments ‘We are very happy to see the second year of Stagewrite 2010 going ahead with our main sponsor Consensus, whilst working in association with the North West Regional College (NWRC). The NWRC drama students will be providing the children and teachers with all the practical directorial support they need to turn their ideas into workable ‘plays’, I cannot wait to see the final outcome.”
Designed to allow year seven pupils to develop new skills and confidence in the creation of original pieces based on the theme of ‘My Place, My Community’; this years Stagewrite hopes to strengthen the local community in the arts through working relationships between schools, the college and the local theatre. Tickets for each evening are £2 per person and can be purchased by contacting The Alley Theatre on 028 7138 4444 or booking online at www.alley-theatre.com
Stagewrite 2010
My Place, My Community
Students from the North West College and local primary schools across Strabane 
District will be taking part in Stagewrite 2010, a project aimed at developing short performance pieces based on the theme of "My Place, My Community".
The Project will be co-ordinated by the North West College in Partnership with the DISC program under the umbrella of Concensus Lets Live and work together, the Strabane District Council and the Alley Theatre.
Is your Primary School interested in taking part?
To download an application and information pack please click here.
Stage Write 2009 School Festival
hailed a “great success!”
Strabane District Chairman, Cllr Jarlath McNulty brought the curtain down on the final night of the successful “Stage Write” drama festival last week, hailing the new primary school drama festival at the Alley Theatre, Strabane, as a “innovative approach to education via the arts”. 8 local primary schools from across Strabane District took part in the festival, each performing a short play on stage on the theme of the “Environment” after an intensive 2 week drama course led by the North West Regional College students and funded by Creative Youth Partnership, Strabane District Council and North West Regional College.
Cllr McNulty thanked the students, schools and the festival organizers for their "tremendous support and willingness" to push the boundaries of the arts and education in Strabane District. Schools which took part in this ground breaking festival included St Anne’s Girls School (Strabane), St Patrick’s (Dunamanagh), Erganagh Primary School, Drumlegagh Primary School, St Mary’s Girls’ Primary School, St Theresa’s Primary School (Glebe), St Columba’s Primary School (Clady) and the Model Primary School (Newtownstewart).
Stage Write involved P7 students, who were challenged to write a story, rehearse and then perform a 15 minute play at the Alley Theatre within two weeks. Each school acting troop worked under the expert direction of 2nd Year Drama Students from North West Regional College, whose course involved directing a show within the local community. Head of Drama at the North West Regional College, Anne McMaster commented “This has been a tremendous achievement not only for our college students but importantly the P7 students, who have given 100% commitment to this wonderful project and have produced some outstanding pieces of work. For many of these students this is the first time on a professional stage, which will have created a new found sense of personal confidence, team building and presentation skills. Also P7 students will gain a deeper understanding of the arts and the theatre and added a marvelous memory to their school career, showing them nothing is impossible, even producing a show in a professional theatre, if you give 100% commitment.”
Stage Write, held at Strabane District Council's award winning Alley Theatre was
a partnership project between North West Regional College, the primary schools in the Strabane District and Strabane District Council and supported by funding via the Creative Youth Partnership. Creative Youth Partnership receives funds from Dept. of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the five Education and Library Boards. Geraldine O’Reilly from Creative Youth Partnership commented “Stage Write has been an excellent partnership where everyone has reaped the benefits. The North West Regional College students have worked extremely hard under the excellent tuition of Anne McMaster, developing the skills of pupils across the Strabane District Area, with the two shows at the marvelous Alley Theatre offering an exceptional night of drama and entertainment.”
‘Stage Write has been a really exciting project, enjoyed not only by the primary school pupils and their teachers, but also the North West Regional College Performing Arts students, and lecturer Anne McMaster, who directed the shows." stated Basil Dalton from North West Regional College”A really strong creative bond has been formed between the schools, the college and the Alley Theatre, and it is something we will build on in future collaborations’.
John Kerr, Alley Theatre Manager stated “Once again the Alley Theatre staff are delighted with the success of this event, which we know will leave a long lasting legacy amongst the participants of Stage Write 2009. As a Strabane District Council facility, we would like to thank Creative Youth Partnership and North West Regional College for their excellent support and involvement, without which this event could not have been the tremendous success it was.”
