Roscrea student nominated for national award

 

The wait is over!

The shortlist for the annual Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards has been revealed. Hit show 'Billy Elliott' has won the Presentation Secondary School in Thurles a nomination for the prestigious Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Award, which will be announced in May.

 

The school has been shortlisted in the Best Overall School Musical category for its production of 'Billy Elliott'. The judges said it was 'an ambitious, polished and beautifully performed piece'. 17-year old 5th year student Zoe Gleeson from Roscrea has been shortlisted in the Best Performance in a Supporting Role for her performance as Mrs Wilkinson in the production.

 

The judges commented that Zoe 'played a character way beyond her years with such nuance; it left the judges speechless'. The school last year won the Best School Musical for its production of 'The Lion King' where Zoe played the part of Pumba. 

 

Zoe was introduced to drama at the age of 4 in Dromakeenan National School under the watchful eye of Jared Madden School of Speech and Drama and she continued that for her eight years in Dromakeenan while also attending Kids on Stage Drama School in Nenagh, directed by Margaret Walsh. She is presently with Phoenix Productions in Thurles under the direction of Circuit Court Judge Gerard O'Brien and is presently busy practicing for their Spring Cabaret 'Magic to do', which will be staged in Scoil Ailbe Primary School on April 21st/22nd.