REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR YOUTH DRAMA
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR YOUTH DRAMA, THE COACH HOUSE DUBLIN CASTLE
A Dhaoine Uaisle,
Tá lúcháir mhór orm bheith anseo libh tráthnóna ar an ócaid speisialta seo. Míle buíochas libh as an chaoin-chuireadh.
Good evening, everybody
I am glad to have the opportunity to share this evening with you as we mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the National Association for Youth Drama. My thanks to Orlaith McBride for her kind invitation to join with you on this wonderful occasion in the continuing history of drama in Ireland.
Almost two and a half thousand years ago, in the fifth century before Christ, the Greek writer Aeschylus, writing for public performance, introduced a second speaker onto the stage and, in so doing it is said, created drama as we know it. It is difficult today to imagine the stunning impact of that first step for we have become so used to drama on demand at the flick of a T.V. switch or a DVD but if you want to get close to it, to feel its intimate power then live theatre is as good as it gets, whether the actors are celebrated nationally or more locally in their schools or communities.
Not everyone who takes part in amateur drama has a theatrical career in mind but everyone who has ever taken part in youth drama has a store of memories and skills to last a lifetime. Instead of waiting for life to test them, our young actors take on life. Very quickly the high visibility and vulnerability of the stage exposes their strengths and weaknesses, reveals undiscovered talents and interests, takes the wobble out of nervous legs and voices, brings confidence and pride, the thrill and courage of standing alone, the responsibility of being part of a team, the heady experience of captivating and entertaining an audience- and then there is the simple fun and the friendships.
For the individual the life-enhancing effects of participating in drama are far reaching. It makes each of us stronger, more resilient, deepens our awareness of ourselves and gives us an appreciation of the talents of others. That is why it is such an important part of school and community life and why we owe so much to all those who make it their business to ensure that our young people have the opportunity to express themselves and to learn through drama.
Ireland has a lavish and rich literary tradition and heritage that is both an inspiration and a challenge, for each new generation has to have its chance to shine and to add its own set of unique voices. We need a fresh and self-renewing stream of dramatists, playwrights, actors, set designers, costume designers, makeup artists, lighting experts, producers, directors and all the rest both amateur and professional and a vibrant youth drama scene is an essential source for that stream.
For a quarter of a century your association has made that work your vocation. On behalf of all of those audiences, the length and breadth of Ireland who have been entertained, amused and provoked down through the years, on behalf of the young people who have had the time of their lives whether backstage or up front, I say a warm thank you to each of you for your individual and collegial efforts in promoting drama in Ireland – from writing to acting and production. I thank all those who have given much needed, much welcomed support for the Association’s projects and hope the next twenty-five years will be even better still.
Go raibh maith agaibh.