A group of performing arts students from America so desperately wanted to prepare for their upcoming play ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ that they jumped on a plane and came to Ireland to perfect their Donegal accents.
Performing arts students from LaGrange College in Georgia enjoy a thriving theatre programme, which includes the work of Irish playwright Brian Friel.
The group are scheduled to put on Friel’s famous play in February.
So determined were the group to get the Donegal accent just right that they took trains, planes and automobiles and traveled more than 6,000 kilometres to the heart of where the play is set.
That setting is the town of Glenties which was made even more famous by the 1998 screen version of the play starring Meryl Streep.
The week-long trip, made partly possible by some generous donations, saw the group immerse themselves into Donegal culture.
The group traveled to Glenties where they met and were welcomed warmly by locals.
The group began at Siopa Lúghnasa for fresh scones, then it was off to ‘The Laurels’ – Friel’s family cottage to get a sense of the play’s setting.
They were also treated to a fantastic piece by Helen Power from Friel’s play ‘Faith Healer’ at the new Lughnasa Creative Art Centre, then on to St Connell’s Museum for a chat with curator Anne McLoone.
The drama troupe’s seven-day program was hosted by the Bundoran-based Institute of Study Abroad Ireland.
Their curriculum for theatre studies was designed and delivered by multi-talented actor, director, and playwright Maura Logue.
Director Kim Barber and actor Hayley Seabaugh
Maura, who is also founder of Dark Daughter Productions and Costume Hire, connected with the group in advance of their tour, and had workshops, interviews, exchanges and experiences all prepared for our the players.
Maura and ISAI instructor Aidan Given worked with the students on history, cultural context, dialect and accent, costuming and rehearsal, and the actors were also blessed with fabulously clear and sunny weather, so they were more than satisfied with their visit to Donegal.
Kim Barber Knoll, Program Chair of the Theatre Department at LaGrange College and director of the Dancing at Lughnasa production said their visit is something they will never forget.
Actor Aria Mabry getting into character.
She said “This experience in Donegal has not only prepared us for our performance in February, but it has also changed all of us.
“Donegal is more beautiful and friendly and rich in culture than we could have imagined, and being guided so masterfully by Maura through the text was an enrichment our students will never forget’.
On the last day, the troupe, dressed by ‘Dark Daughter’ costumes and photographed by Aidan Given, posed for a publicity shoot on the Fairy Bridges in Bundoran.
The play will be performed in Georgia, USA in February.
Actor Will Gray
