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Act Up 2025

Act Up Festival is Tallaght Community Arts’ annual one act theatre festival for secondary schools in South Dublin County.

Now in its 15th year, Act Up festival supports second level students to stage their own one act play. The students, act, direct, tech and produce all aspects of their play, supported by Act Up Festival Directors Bronwen Barrett and Michelle Henry. The 2025 Participating Schools were:

  • Deansrath Community College
  • Tallaght Community School
  • St. Marks Community School
  • Firhouse Educate Together

The Act Up Festival 2025 Adjudicator was Seán Farrelly. Seán has worked as a writer and drama facilitator since 2018. He has had four plays produced and is involved in Fighting Words, mentoring young writers between the ages of 7-17. He is represented by The Blair Partnership literary agency and his first book will be published by Faber in 2026.

During festival week, the adjudicator gives positive feedback and guidance to the students on their production. Invited guest speakers also give a short talk to the audience and Act Up participants on their career in the industry. Act Up Festival 2025 took place in The Performance Space, Rua Red from Monday 31st March - Saturday 5th April 2025, with the Awards ceremony taking place on Wednesday 9th April.

Congratulations!

Huge congratulations to everyone who participated in Act Up Festival 2025. The winners are:

Best Performance Award:

  • Charlie Hinde
  • Kaitlyn Mulligan

Best Supporting Performance Award:

  • Darius Turcita
  • Yusuf Sankoh

Best Directors(s) Award:

  • Richard McKeever Burke (St. Mark's Community School)
  • Jessica Roche (St. Mark's Community School)

Best Tech/Effect Award:

  • Tallaght Community School

Best Design (set/costume):

  • Deansrath Community College

Best Cast Ensemble:

  • Tallaght Community School

Judges Choice:

  • Danea Gaffney
  • Darragh Kinsella

Rising Star Award:

  • Archie Evans
  • Lubalethu Mpofu

Best Stage Management:

  • St. Mark's Community School

Best Overall Production:

  • Firhouse Educate Together

 

A huge thank you to our wonderful Act Up '25 team: Chelle, Bron, Sailí, Adam, Liam and Seán.

Photography: Conor Keegan, Leo Kearney, Vlad Gurdis

 

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Proud to be funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and South Dublin County Council