Mary Power-Cooney's Theatrics

17/08/2026

Theatrics weekly drama & musical theatre classes start back in September at The Moat Theatre, Naas. We can't wait to see everyone again and meet some new faces too 🎭

There are still a few places available in our Junior Ensemble for children in Junior Infants, Senior Infants & 1st Class.

Through games, voice work, dance, improvisation and process drama, children develop confidence, self-expression and creativity, while having fun and making friends.

Find out more and book your child's place at theatricsnaas.ie

15/07/2026

04/07/2026

I’ve been speaking to so many wonderful parents all week who are hoping to secure places for their children in classes. It’s been lovely to hear such enthusiasm. Many parents are surprised by just how quickly classes fill up.

Some have described it as feeling a bit like an Eventbrite queue; clicking fast and hoping to catch a space before it disappears 😂

So I thought I’d pop on and explain a little more clearly how it works.

Our Junior Ensemble generally still has availability, but our Intermediate, Senior, and Teen Ensemble booked out within minutes of booking opening this week.

We have very high retention across the programme, which is why places in the older groups are so limited. Parents choose Theatrics, and the young people choose to stay - year after year. They also talk about it, bring their friends, and that momentum naturally keeps demand very high.

As younger ensembles feed directly into the older ensembles, starting early is the best way to gain access and the most reliable way to avoid waiting lists further up.

Hope that helps explain things a little more clearly. Thank you so much for all the enthusiasm and support. x

04/07/2026

A real joy to have been invited to take part in such a special event. Delighted to share a few photographs. Well done to everyone involved! A pleasure as always! And a big thank you to the staff at Naas Library and Cultural Centre for all your assistance.

03/07/2026

So much laughter. So much generosity. So much care.
They supported each other from the very first moment and never stopped.
Playful, respectful, open, and fully present in everything they did.
An unbelievable week with an extraordinary group.

02/07/2026

Anyone can hand out a script, assign roles and guide students through a scene. At Theatrics, the work goes deeper. It lives in the process—in the questions, exploration, collaboration, risk-taking, and discovery that turn words on a page into authentic storytelling.

Today’s devising session focused on the central themes that give stories their power. Because theatre education doesn’t begin with a script—it begins with curiosity.

We create a space where young people uncover the themes beneath the words and discover what lies at the heart of the story.

02/07/2026

It sits in the process—in the questions, exploration, collaboration, risk-taking, and discovery that turn words on a page into authentic action.

Today’s devising session focused on the central themes that give stories their power. Because theatre education doesn’t begin with a script—it begins with curiosity.

We help young people uncover the themes beneath the words and create a space to explore, question, collaborate, take risks, and discover what lies at the heart of the story.

01/07/2026

Today, a new student joined an ensemble that had already built eight hours of trust together.

I chose a game called a Piece of String.

So, why this particular game?

Because it initially removes the pressure to talk, places everyone on equal footing, and creates instant collaboration through a shared task. By the time conversation began, the new student was already part of the ensemble.

The game was simple. The intention behind it wasn’t. And that is the craft.

09/06/2026

This weekend I saw Mother Courage at Shakespeare’s Globe.

I was reminded me of something I often tell students: reading about theatre is not the same as experiencing it live.

Because of Brecht’s alienation technique, I expected that I would feel more distanced from the play; more like I’d be observing it than getting drawn in.

But that didn’t really happen.

I was fully immersed in the play. It was raw and immediate, yet at the same time I was still aware of it as theatre happening in front of me.

I was surprised just how easily the engagement and the alienation sat side by side.

It reminded me that something essential is missed when theatre is only read about. Being in the room changes the experience.

If young people are to truly understand theatre, they need to attend it. They need to be in the room, experiencing it for themselves. No amount of discussion or explanation can replicate the experience of live performance.