The IES Abroad Intensive Acting Program gives you an intensive, practical approach to performance.
Over the course of the summer, you will come to know Dublin's winding streets and unique charm through a variety of culturally enriching opportunities. The program offers enrollment at the acclaimed National Theatre School of Ireland-Gaiety School of Acting, housing in fully-equipped student apartments, and field trips throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Courses are taught by The National Theatre School of Ireland-Gaiety School of Acting (NTSI-GSA) and IES Abroad instructors. These courses are held at the NTSI-GSA and IES Abroad Center, and are worth 6 credits total.
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.
After you are admitted, refer to the Travel Dates section of the Predeparture Information in your MyIESabroad account before booking travel.
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 (NTSI-GSA) 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 theatrical resume as well as 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:
Worth 4 credits total:
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.
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 will live in Binary Hub, a private student residence in Dublin. You will live in a private fully-furnished single bedroom and bathroom, and will share a kitchen and common area with up to four other flat-mates which may be of mixed gender. However, you will be able to indicate on your IES Abroad Housing Form if you have any accommodation request in relation to this. The private student residence also has WiFi Internet access along with other amenities. No meals are included.
Part of making you feel at home in Amsterdam 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.
The program begins with a two-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Dublin staff, your fellow students, and the city of Dublin. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety are covered during this time.
You also take guided tours around the Center and areas of Dublin as part of your orientation.
Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home. You will also take guided tours around the Center and areas of interest in Dublin as part of your orientation.
IES Abroad Dublin offers two optional three-day field trips, from which you choose one. These field trips are subsidized by IES Abroad, and you will be responsible for a portion of the cost. In past semesters, destinations have included:
Northern Ireland3 daysTake in many of the filming sites of Game of Thrones, a famous “Troubles tour" of Belfast, and the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Causey Farm1 dayVisit 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 see a bog.
About the Center
Features include:
Take a virtual tour of what it’s like to be in Dublin and what the IES Abroad Dublin Center is like!
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
Chris Corcoran Internship Coordinator
Regina Fitzpatrick Academic Coordinator
Jackie KnowlesStudent Affairs Coordinator
Stephen McMahon Writer's Program Coordinator and Moodle Adminstrator
Mairéad WhiteAccountant Assistant
What is it really like to live in Dublin? Check out our virtual tour of all the places you’ll come to know and love when you study abroad there—GO!
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