Nicole McDonald B.A.T.D (A.F) I.D.T.A (A.F) I.S.T.D
Nicole began her professional training at Laine Theatre Arts - where she recieved a full scholarship. Nicole has trained in Dance, Singing, Drama and all aspects of Musical Theatre. She has over 15 years teaching experience specialising in Jazz and Tap, and has worked extensively as a professional dancer/teacher/choreographer both on stage and television.
Her professional career has taken her around America and Europe. TV and film Credits include A Royal Gala (LWT) - Live from the London Palladium working alongside River dance, Celine Dion, Michael Barrymore and Vanessa Mae. The Adventures of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen- “Undercover agents”, Channel 4’s pop show - The White Room with Babylon Zoo, Robert Palmer, Blur and Little Richard and ITV’s “Barrymore – my kind of people”. She has danced for Nike, Addidas, Reebok, performed in several CSE tours, numerous pantomimes and summer seasons throughout the UK, working with Bobby Davro, Joe Pasqualie and Michael Barrymore.
Nicole has worked extensively as a Jazz teacher and choreographer for many stage schools and colleges throughout Ireland, she is currently head of dance for Bull Alley Theatre training school. Nicole regulary teaches Jazz in Dance House - Foley Street and was part of the team that introduced a transition year dedicated to dance. Choreography credits include: Noise Festival - Civic Theatre, Ragtime - O'Reilly Theatre, Follies - O'Reilly Theatre, Steel Pier - O'Reilly Theatre,, Parade - Civic Theatre, Tommy - Civic Theatre, Company - Civic Theatre, Ozmopolitan - The Helix, Blondalot - The Helix, Freaked - The Helix, Hot Mikado - St Beniuldus, Pippin - Mermaid Theatre, Calamity Jane - St Beniuldus, Oaklahoma - The Mill Theatre, Oliver - O'Reilly Theatre, Babes in the wood - Bray Community Centre and Westside Story - O'Reilly Theatre. Nicole works closely each year with the Belvedere College Musical and Kilmicud Musical Society, staging and choreographing their Musical productions. Nicole Produces, Choreographs and Directs all Steptacular shows to date where students have performed in St Pats, Civic Theatre, The Mill Theatre, The Victory Convention Centre, The Olympia Theatre and The Grand Canal Theatre. Nicole is currently training for a MA in dance.
Robert Murphy - Drama
Robert graduated from Bull Alley Theatre Training Company (Liberties College) in 2009 after completing a four year full time course in Performing Arts and holds an ATCL from Trinity Guildhall London. Robert began performing at an early age, threading the boards with local theatre / variety groups and musical societies which includes the award winning 'Spotlight Theatre Group' it was there that Robert fell in love with all things theatre.
Credits to date include playing Edgar in Ragtime The Musical (O Reilly Theatre), Dame Widow Twanky in Aladdin, Dame Celia Daw in Jack And The Beanstalk opposite June Rodgers (Olympia Theatre Panto 2008), Moth in Shakespeare’s Love Labours Lost, Anthony in Maura’s Men (Irish Tour), Belize in the Irish Premiere of Angels In America, Bobby in Epson Downs, Sir Joseph in The Old Bachelor, to name but a few. Other productions Robert has starred in include Steel Pier The Musical, Follies The Musical, Parade The Musical, Saint Joan, Boogie Shoes (Olympia Theatre), Chess The Musical (Civic Theatre), Gotta Dance (Olympia Theatre), Whistle Down The Wind (Grand Canal Theatre), and Born to Boogie (O Reilly Theatre), as a comedy artist Robert has appeared as Special Guest at many corporate events, including The Rose Of Tralee Festival 2007 performing in the Dome, he has also performed as a Stand Up Comedy Act as part of BATTLE OF THE AXE in June 2007 being announced winner on the night. In 2009 Robert together with five other actors devised 'Mynamar' which played the Civic Theatre for Loose Productions under the direction of Fair City's Una Kavanagh. In Autumn 2008 Robert performed in Theatre In Education show - 'Fire Fly's' which visited schools a short theatrical piece explaining the dangers of fireworks to young students in Primary & Secondary education. Robert has performed in all the major theatre's throughout Ireland as an actor, dancer and comedy artist. In 2008 Robert created the comic character of the OUTRAGEOUS 'Chantell O Neill' Chantell is in constant demand performing in some of the country's top shows from Variety to Burlesque!
Robert has been directing and teaching now for the past four years, Robert is resident chorographer and comedy writer and director for Saint Mary’s Youth Club in Ballyfermot productions include ‘Alive and Kicking’ Minitops 2007 Finalist and ‘One Night Only’ Winning Show in Minitops 2008, Boogie Nights (O Reilly Theatre) and ‘Name In Lights’ Winning Show in Minitops 2010. Robert choreographed Honk The Musical (Pavilion Theatre), Can’t Stop The Beat (Mermaid Theatre) and Little Shop Of Horrors (Mermaid Theatre) all for Sunshine Stage School. In June 2010 Robert cheorgraphed 'Grease' for St Josephs School in Marino, Dublin. He also teaches for Steptacular Stage School, Bluebell Youth Project and ITW (Independent Theatre Workshop) . Robert has been coordinator and producer of the children’s entertainment on board the Oscar Wilde ship for Irish Ferries for the Summer Season 2008 / 2009. Writing comedy and pantomime is another of his passions and many of Robert’s comedy sketches have been staged in some of Ireland's top theatre’s and he has written Snow White for Gorey Panto Society. Robert has produced and directed 'High School Musical Summer Camp 2008' (Irish Tour), 'Disney Summer Camps 2009' (Irish Tour) & most recent 'Dance & Drama Summer Camps 2010' (Irish Tour). June 2010, Robert produced & directed 'The Next Big Thing 2010' talent show which he also hosted on the night which played the Civic Theatre in Tallaght the night was a huge sucess and plans are already underway for 'The Next Big Thing 2011'.
Recent credits include Directing and Chorgraphing ‘Bedazzled’ part of Showbizkidz 2009 and also Choreographing ‘Mad About Musicals’ for award winning Coolmine Musical Society in Blanchardstown, 'The Snowman' (the National Concert Hall Christmas show) which was a sell out sucess & 'Seussical The Musical for CBC Monkstown / Loreto Foxrock as part of their Transition Year program. This May 2011 saw Robert write & co direct 'Amy Sings The Icons' as part of the Gay Theatre Festival which has recieved rave reviews.
Robert often teaches workshops in many venues throughout Ireland including The Cork Arts Theatre and The Excel Theatre in Tipperary
Laura McDonagh - Dance
I started dancing at the age of 5, I took ballet classes once a week. I loved to dance so I joined a stage school at the age of 10. Here I took dance, drama and singing lessons for over 10 years. I have recently returned as a member of staff now which is a big achievement for me. It was great, we performed yearly at events and put on a big show every 2 years at the Helix in Dublin. My interest for performing arts grew as I got older. I applied to performing Arts colleges in Dublin and the UK. I decided to attend The North London Dance Studios. I trained there for 3 years. Here I trained in Ballet, jazz, tap, modern, musical theatre and singing. I also completed a teacher training course at my college. This included practical dance studies, assisting young children's dance classes, health and safety exams, lifespan and development exams also. I gained lots of experience the year I graduated from college. I performed in Cabarets, TV Shows, music videos, Fashion shows and events around London. I also taught at 4 different dance schools in London. I worked with professional drama and singing teachers. We put on musical productions yearly. I worked with children ranging from 3-18. I have recently returned from an internship in New York at BROADWAYDANCE CENTER NYC. I was on the international student program. Here I trained with lots of talented dancers and performers, I gained lots of experience from performing and taken classes. Whilst in NYC I had hip hop and jazz mentors that watched me closely over the 6 month period, mentoring me from week to week. It was a learning and challenging experience. I am currently teaching dance in Dublin. I have recently choreographed for The Noise Dance Festival which was held in The Civic Theatre. My classes are based on the student’s enjoyment. I aim to get my students enthusiastic about dance which will benefit their performance in dance and in drama and singing. I teach a wide range of styles. Classes will vary from ballet-jazz, street jazz, musical theatre dance, contemporary and more. All styles will work on improving rhythm, co ordination, step retention and an over all base and knowledge for dance. I will help them prepare for show routines. I will encourage all students to work to the best of their ability.
Sarah Carpenter - Singing and Musical Theatre
Sarah Carpenter started both singing and dancing at the age of five. Since then she has performed at every opportunity on stages such as The Gaiety, The Olympia and The Cork Opera House. Sarah successfully completed a two year dance course at Sallynoggin college of further education. She has been teaching Performing Arts for the last five years in various schools around Ireland. In 2009 she received her diploma in musical theatre performance from the London College of Music. Having spent the last year travelling including teaching Performance Arts in Australia she is looking forward to returning to both teaching and performing in Ireland.
Elaine Gallagher - Drama and Singing
Roisin Walsh - Dance
