The Griese Players Drama Group started in 1999 as a social inclusion project with emphasis being placed on the provision of a community based alternative learning experience through the medium of the arts by way of staged drama productions.
The group grew from its initial week long drama work shop in 1999, which was attended by 25 children from the Ballitore county Kildare. This event surpassed all expectations and ended with a performance of "The Frog Prince" and "Joan of arc" in the local Crookstown Hall.
In September 1999 with the support of the Local Librarian and School Principal the group started its weekly evening workshops under the Direction of Leish Burke. Funding for the programme was provided by Action South Kildare and The Kildare Library Services under the umbrella of The Ballitore Development Association.
That year, the Group worked during the winter months on preparation of a Halloween Performance. It then set out putting together a repertoire for the Hunting the Wren on St Stephens Day. Its back to the drama again in January as the Griese Players set out to prepare for its Summer Stage production held annually in June.
In late 2007, the older members of Griese Youth Theatre decided to form another branch of Griese Theatre. They formed Mind The Gap Theatre Co.
Today, the Griese Players have grown to over 100 members who have been divided into four groups, aged between 8-22. During the year the groups meet weekly from September to June and receive tuition on all aspects of drama from Director Leish Burke and her visiting panel of experts including John Mc Kenna, Max Halfer and Imelda Kavanagh.
Lately a new arm of Griese Youth Theatre has extended outwards and onwards. Ealu was formed in 2010 and consists of eight former G.Y.T. members. Their first performance,Chambers of the Heart , was staged in the 2010 annual Ballitore Festival.
The group grew from its initial week long drama work shop in 1999, which was attended by 25 children from the Ballitore county Kildare. This event surpassed all expectations and ended with a performance of "The Frog Prince" and "Joan of arc" in the local Crookstown Hall.
In September 1999 with the support of the Local Librarian and School Principal the group started its weekly evening workshops under the Direction of Leish Burke. Funding for the programme was provided by Action South Kildare and The Kildare Library Services under the umbrella of The Ballitore Development Association.
That year, the Group worked during the winter months on preparation of a Halloween Performance. It then set out putting together a repertoire for the Hunting the Wren on St Stephens Day. Its back to the drama again in January as the Griese Players set out to prepare for its Summer Stage production held annually in June.
In late 2007, the older members of Griese Youth Theatre decided to form another branch of Griese Theatre. They formed Mind The Gap Theatre Co.
Today, the Griese Players have grown to over 100 members who have been divided into four groups, aged between 8-22. During the year the groups meet weekly from September to June and receive tuition on all aspects of drama from Director Leish Burke and her visiting panel of experts including John Mc Kenna, Max Halfer and Imelda Kavanagh.
Lately a new arm of Griese Youth Theatre has extended outwards and onwards. Ealu was formed in 2010 and consists of eight former G.Y.T. members. Their first performance,Chambers of the Heart , was staged in the 2010 annual Ballitore Festival.
