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Dublin Summer - Intensive Acting
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad experience possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
Designed for theatre students seeking an intensive, practical approach to performance, this program lets you immerse yourself in a conservatory-style acting program. All courses are required and are taught at The National Theatre School of Ireland (Gaiety School of Acting) and IES Abroad.
Watch a short clip of IES Abroad Dublin students sharing what they love about attending NTSI-GSA.
Important note: A core value espoused by The National Theatre School of Ireland-Gaiety School of Acting is ensemble. This program is physically and emotionally demanding and all students participate fully in all aspects of the training process. In order to participate in this program, you must turn in a letter of recommendation from a theatre instructor (or equivalent) with your application. You also should have taken at least one university level acting course.
You earn 6 credits total. First you complete a 2-week theatre workshop. Then you begin the 4-week summer NTSI-GSA program.
Worth 2 credits:
- TH394 Theatre Workshop (syllabus below)
- Aims to provide an understanding of theatre production within the context of contemporary theatre-making in a European dramatic tradition.
- Theatre Visits: Students will attend a number of theatre performances during their program. These are included in the program fee.
Worth 4 credits total:
- Acting
- Aims to root a strong personal technique in an organic, intelligent, and imaginative engagement with text and process. Focuses primarily on the areas of rehearsal and performance, with reference to the actor's honest connection and performative proficiency amid the differing technical demands of various styles and genres.
- Total class contact time: 60 hours over 4 weeks
- Encompasses instruction and rehearsal sessions – all practical, covering works of Samuel Beckett, John Millington Synge, Brian Friel and Sean O’Casey as well as touching on other Irish writers where relevant such as Martin McDonagh, Marina Carr, Billy Roche, WB Yeats.
- Voice
- Aims to develop an intellectual and bodied understanding of the vocal instrument, cultivating tension-free support, control, articulation, resonance, range, and variation of tone - as well as unblocked access to the emotional apparatus. Begins with an assessment of posture, techniques and exercises, and draws from theorists like Linklater, Rodenburg, and McCallion. The voice is used to explore play texts, political speeches, and poetry.
- Total class contact time: 6-8 hours over 4 weeks
- Covers accent and vocal requirements of all works dealt with in practical sessions.
- Irish Writers Seminar
- Total class contact time: 8-10 hours over 4 weeks
- Covers historical and sociopolitical contexts of works dealt with in practical acting sessions in seminar/discussion class formats. Authors discussed are primarily Beckett, Friel, O’Casey, Synge, Yeats, and McDonagh.
- Showcase
- Final session of the course – 1 hour (approximately) duration presenting a selection of ensemble scenes rehearsed during the four week program.
Courses
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| TH 394 - Theater Workshop | Summer | English | 2 |
Field Trips & Events
IES Abroad Dublin organizes a number of field trips as an integral part of its opportunities for cultural immersion in Ireland. These trips explore areas of significant regional interest and are led by people who contextualize what you are witnessing and experiencing. These field trips are partially subsidized by IES Abroad. Possible destinations include:
The West of Ireland
3 days
Take a guided tour of the 2020 European Capital of Culture to explore the 800 year-old city of Galway and discover the stunning landscapes and castles of Connemara.
Causey Farm
1 day
Visit an open farm where you will have the chance to try Irish dancing, bake traditional Irish bread, learn to play an Irish drum called the bodhrán, and jump in a bog.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
IES Abroad Dublin organizes course-related trips that complement what you’re learning in the classroom, and contribute to your general knowledge of Irish culture and society. These trips include walking tours of Dublin's significant architectural, literary, and political markers.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Dublin is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
Orientation
The program begins with an orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Dublin staff, your fellow students, and the city of Dublin.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
You also take guided tours around the Center and areas of interest in Dublin as part of your orientation.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Dublin, it will feel like home.
Private Student Residence - You live in a private student residence with your own bedroom and bathroom within a four or five-bedroom apartment. Live with other IES Abroad students and share a fully-equipped kitchen and living area. Mixed-gender and single-gender apartments are available. The private student residence is completely furnished and has WiFi along with other amenities. No meals are included
Get to Know Your New City
Take a Day Trip
Just a short train ride away are the towns of Howth, Dun Laoghaire and more. Let the explorer in you roam, and hike along the coast.
Catch a Live Performance
From traditional folk music to cutting-edge theatre, Dublin has it all. Venture to the theatre, or enjoy live music at your local pub.
Taste the Local Food
Irish stew, shepherd’s pie, boxty, and more—sink your teeth into the various fresh and delicious foods of Dublin.
Visit the Book of Kells
See this lavishly illustrated manuscript, located in the beautiful Trinity College Library.
Explore the Neighborhoods
Walk along the River Liffey, and meander through the city. Be sure to stop at Fitzwilliam Square and Merrion Square for the famous colorful painted doors.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
| Term | Tuition | Housing | Insurance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2020 | $5,860 | $1,715 | $135 |
$7,710 |
Scholarships & Aid
Program-Specific Scholarships
Summer Need-Based Financial Aid
Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.
Criteria reviewed to determine award:
- Level of financial need as determined from infromation provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
- IES Abroad program location.
- IES Abroad membership status of home campus
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
While in Dublin, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Dublin Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Dublin experience.
The IES Abroad Dublin Center is a fully-renovated red-brick Victorian building that used to serve as a post office. Located just south of Dublin’s city center, our building is walking distance from Dublin Castle, St. Stephen’s Green, and Trinity College Dublin.
Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.
- Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center’s classrooms
- Meet with staff in their offices
- Study and plan trips in the library and travel planning space
- Meet up with friends in the student lounge
- Borrow one of four laptops or two desktops
Other features include: high-speed internet, printing facilities, photocopier and scanner access
Our Staff
Megan Markey
Center Director
Megan Markey earned an MBA in Education Management from the Institute of Education, University of London and a Masters in Sociology from University College Dublin. Employed by IES Abroad since 2004, Megan teaches our service learning seminar, Service Learning: Youth Engagement and Education in Ireland. She has also taught qualitative research for the Sociology Department at University College Dublin. Megan was the Assistant Director of the Dublin Center from 2010-2014 and became the Center Director in 2015.
IES Abroad Dublin Staff
Regina Fitzpatrick
Assistant Director
Shane Fitzgerald
Internship Coordinator
Andrew Diviney
Student Affairs Coordinator
Stephen McMahon
Senior Writers Program Coordinator
Cristin O'Gorman
Internship Coordinator
Mairéad White
Accountant Assistant
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Summer 2020 & Fall 2020 Refund Policy
A core philosophy of our health & safety procedures is that we plan for the what ifs so that you don't have to. That includes the development of our refund policy for Summer 2020 and Fall 2020, which allows you to still plan to study abroad or intern, knowing that if for some reason you cannot participate, your money will be fully refunded.
Don't put your dreams on hold just because the world is unknown.
AT A GLANCE
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