AIMS presentation to Dail Committee on Arts and Culture
“The Future of Musical Theatre Education in Ireland”
Presented by the Association of Irish Musical Societies (A.I.M.S)
Represented by
Rob Donnelly (National President) & Frank Foley (National Secretary)
For almost 60 years AIMS (The Association of Irish Musical Societies) has been the
governing body for 120 musical societies based in the 32 counties on the island of
Ireland. We have over 14,000 members performing in on average 800 productions a
year from full scale musicals to concerts and pantomimes. Our audiences average 1.2
million. Although we are seen as an amateur organisation, we stage shows to a very
professional standard with an average cost of 40-50K. We also employ many
technicians, musicians, directors, and choreographers. Along with many lighting
operators, sound technicians, set builders/painters, costume suppliers, props, hair and
makeup crews, stage crews, Front of House teams, kitchen staff there could be on
average 100 people working on every production. Our societies perform in theatres,
community halls and schools nationwide. Our societies are a vital part of our
communities sometimes being the first introduction to Broadway/WestEnd Shows. Live
Theatre and Live Entertainment is vital in today’s society. It’s an opportunity for
audiences to socialise, meet friends & family, get out of the house, have somewhere to
go, switch off and be entertained. It’s also a chance for all members to do the same but
also to learn a craft and be educated, be it singing, dancing, acting, stay fit whilst making
friends. Most societies rehearse a production for an average of 3 months which in a lot
of cases carries them through the cold and bleak winter months. Being part of a group
be it sporting or artistic is so important and is very positive in regards of mental health.
The impact of the corona virus pandemic on amateur theatre and amateur musical
theatre has been devastating all over the island of Ireland over the past few years. The
absence of this platform for all involved created a huge void in towns and villages all
over the country.
Putting on stage activities in the autumn and winter periods is to a community what
sporting activities are in the summer period. These activities galvanise a community,
and not just local communities, but neighbouring communities support each other in
these activities, creating a complex web of social and cultural interaction and
networking that is unique to Irish Society. After the shutdown due to Covid I’m
delighted to say we are now returning to stage. With 42 societies back on stage last
season, we are expecting upwards of 85 to return this season i.e. between June 2022
and June 2023. Our participants range in age from infants to people in their 80’s, it
embraces all age groups, irrelevant of class, gender, orientation, religion or creed.
We are here today to discuss the future of Musical Theatre Education in Ireland. I know
some other speakers here today are more qualified professionally in that regard, but I’d
like to speak about my own personal experiences if that is ok. I moved to Arklow from
Drogheda in 1996 in my early 20’s. Drogheda had no musical society, and I was asked to
join the local Arklow society Avonmore Musical Society, purely as a way of making
friends. But it completely changed my life and I am still there 26 years later. Having
never been on stage, sang, dance or acted before to now having taken part in every
show since. I learned how to sing, dance, act, gained loads of confidence, served on
committees in a variety of roles from committee member, to PRO to Chairperson. I can
operate the lights, help with sound, work front of house, back stage, build sets, compile
programmes, everything really involved in the production. All of this learned by joining
my local society and all the time having fun. And today I have the great honour of
addressing you all as National President of AIMS. My job and the job of all involved in
AIMS is to continue the growth of our organisation and the Musical Theatre education of
all our members.
As stated, I started my musical theatre education at the age of 21 but I’m delighted to
say lots of our members are being educated in musical theatre from a very young age
through a variety of dance schools, stage schools, choirs, many music festivals and
through main stream schooling. We take young members in our society from the age of
6 depending on the need for them in various productions. We accept all members then
from Transition School age but don’t let members partake if they are in school exam
years.
For over 20 years AIMS has been running a Youth Summer School in Thurles, Co
Tipperary. The Summer School is a weeklong residential course for members aged
between 15 and 18. During the week the participants work with a Director, Musical
Director and Choreographer and stage a concert at the end of the course. We are proud
to say some of our past members have gone on to star in and work on many West End
Shows and even appear in Hollywood movies. I am also delighted to say that a lot of our
members have gone on to join Musical Societies in third level colleges around Ireland
and some even forming new musical societies where none existed. Travelling to college
in the UK has been the route for many of our members but I am so delighted that now
there are college courses now available here in Ireland which enables our young people
to stay in Ireland to pursue their musical theatre careers. AIMS are proud to offer 2
bursaries each year along with the Anne O’Neill Bursary to help some of our members
progress their careers in college. We are also delighted to be able to offer a collaborative
Scholarship with the American College Dublin for an AIMS member wishing to study
musical theatre at third level.
One of the positives for AIMS during Covid was that Musical Theatre was finally
recognised by the Arts Council. I would like to say a massive thanks to Niall Doyle and
all in the Arts Council for all the help and support given to us and especially for the
much-needed funding which we hope will continue in the years ahead. This funding
enabled us to put in place a “Mentoring & Performance Critical Appraisal” pilot
programme which is currently running, and will be complete in summer 2023.
We would like to develop this programme for the entire School Musical Theatre sector,
to educate and develop this sector in schools with a tailor made programme suitable for
school Musical Theatre Performances. This to be carried out on our AIMS regional
basis, with regional based Mentors. This input with professional and experienced
mentors will greatly benefit the schools and enhance the standard of performances in
School musical theatre, and further help the Musical theatre sector as the students
move into third level education and the professional sector
For us today we are hoping with your support that the role of Musical Theatre
Education can be protected, nurtured and helped to continue growing. I believe and I
am excited to hear that there are changes coming in the Leaving Cert Curriculum
including a new subject Drama, Film and Theatre Studies. I would hope that Musical
Theatre could be a part of this new subject. As stated a lot of secondary Schools already
perform and stage full musicals annually and I think having Musical theatre added as
part of this subject would be very beneficial.
Many Thanks
Rob Donnelly (National President of AIMS) & Frank Foley (National Secretary
Great address Rob. Well done all.