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

Now in its 16th 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 participating schools for Act Up '26 were:

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

The Act Up Festival 2026 Adjudicator was Liam Wilson Smyth. Liam is an actor, writer, and producer. Most recently, he debuted his new work SYNAPSES in association with the Civic Theatre, with a national tour starting in Limerick in May 2026. Previously Liam spent a year touring his first work “MAGIC PLAY” before producing two consecutive national tours of The 330 at Cheltenham in association with Gambling Awareness Trust.

Through his work on stage, film, in the writers room, or when teaching over 300 students a week, ranging from 5 to 80 years old, Liam believes art and theatre is the key to explaining the world and ourselves when words won’t work.

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 2026 took place in The Performance Space, Rua Red from Tuesday 21st - Tuesday 28th April 2026, with the Awards ceremony taking place on Thursday 30th April.