The Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards Are Back!

The Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards Are Back!

• Annual awards celebrate participation in the dramatic arts in schools
• Open to primary and secondary school students throughout Ireland
• Visit bgesta.ie for more information

Calling all aspiring actors, playwrights, singers and costume designers! The annual Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards were officially launched today in Carrigaline Educate Together NS, Cork and are now open for entries.

This is the fourth year of the highly successful Awards which were set up by Bord Gáis Energy to recognise and reward participation in the dramatic arts in schools across Ireland. Over 1,000 schools have taken part in the Awards since their launch in 2013. The highlight of the year sees shortlisted schools travel from across the country to attend the annual awards ceremony at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in May.

The Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre awards are open to primary school pupils from 3rd – 6th class and all secondary school students. There are 12 categories ranging from production categories such as Best Overall School Musical, Best Overall School Play, Best Set, Best Costumes and Best Performance in a Leading Role (male and female) to written categories such as Best Short Scene Script and Best Dramatic Review. A new category, Best Original Production, has also been added to the 2017 Awards in recognition of the outstanding quality of original productions entered in 2016.

The deadline for entries in all production categories is 27 January 2017. The closing date for entries in the written categories is 10 February 2017. Shortlisted schools will be invited to a special awards ceremony at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on 8 May 2017. Some schools will even get the chance to perform on Ireland's largest theatre stage, making it a memorable experience they won't forget! Winning schools will share a prize fund, and receive a commemorative trophy, picture and plaque for their school.

Irene Gowing, communications manager, Bord Gáis Energy said: "We set up these awards to reward all those taking part in the dramatic arts in schools across Ireland, whether that's performing on stage, writing great scripts or contributing to the set and costume design. The competition has grown significantly in the last three years and we are always blown away by the numbers of schools that take part.

The theme for the 2017 Awards is participation. We would like to call on all the proud parents and teachers out there to encourage their children, classes and schools to participate this year and celebrate all the talent that we have in this country. We're passionate about supporting these Awards and can't wait to see the future stars of the stage, as well as future playwrights, choreographers, costume designers and everyone in between!”

To enter the awards, log on to bgesta.ie where you can download an entry form to go with your written or video submission. Completed entry forms should be sent to sta@bordgais.ie or by post to Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards, Real Nation, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8. Further information and information packs can also be requested via bgesta.ie