Performing arts schools ‘completely ignored’

A GROUP of 150 performing arts teachers held a demonstration outside the Dáil on Monday calling for performing arts schools to be allowed to reopen, with the director of a local stage school claiming the teachers have been “completely ignored” by the Government.

Inchicore native Rob Murphy, the director of Dramatic Action Stage School which has classes in Palmerstown and Crumlin, said he has been largely out of work for the past 18 months and is calling for clarity from the Government about the reopening of performing arts schools.

Mr Murphy was one of the 150 performing arts professionals who took part in the demonstration on Monday, to voice their frustration with the current situation.

Mr Murphy, who is also heavily involved with The Civic Theatre in Tallaght, told The Echo: “At the moment, the reality is really sad.

“Minister Catherine Martin and her team are completely ignoring our phone calls and our letters. We’re just not being received by anybody.

“There’s no opening date for indoor classes…we’re taking bookings for September but we still just don’t know if we’ll be back then.”

For the last few months, Mr Murphy has relied on the PUP payment for income as he couldn’t operate his stage school in the midst of the pandemic restrictions.

However, he came off the payment during the summer as he tried to hold an outdoor performing arts summer camp, which didn’t go to plan.

“I had to cancel it because of the Irish weather,” Mr Murphy explained. “I bought nine gazebos for it, but two of them broke and two of them went up into the air even though they were weighted.”

After this, Mr Murphy was told he could not go back on the PUP payment and was instead instructed to go on Jobseekers Allowance.

He refused to apply for Jobseekers Allowance, as he is not seeking a job – he wants to reopen his stage school and is eager to get back to work, as are the seven teachers he employs in Dramatic Action.

Wearing the mascots Kyra Clifford and Lorcan Withers

“Where is the end in sight?” said Mr Murphy. “I’m getting no payment off the Government, I don’t know when I’ll be back in work…we don’t know anything about when we can reopen.”

There is a lack of understanding among politicians about the impact of performing arts schools, according to Mr Murphy, and he highlighted their importance in developing the skills of young performers and the positive impact it can have on the mental and physical health of participants.

“It’s now at the stage where I feel a little embarrassed,” said Mr Murphy. “It’s very, very clear to see that a lot of the children and families of TDs are involved in GAA and not the performing arts.

“I feel like we’re being ignored because of a lack of awareness of our industry from politicians.

“Pubs, indoor dining and GAA got so much publicity but, once again, the performing arts and performing arts teachers are zero on the list of priorities.

“It’s like they don’t know who we are or what we’re doing.”

Mr Murphy added that performing arts education “is education” and that many of his students go on to complete speech and drama exams and study performing arts in college.

He has been training his students over Zoom for the past few months, including preparing some of them for college auditions, but he said the nature of performing arts means there is a need for the students to be taught in-person.

“We’re not looking for much,” said Mr Murphy. “We’re just looking for a plan – we want to be considered, acknowledged and given a plan for a reopening.”

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media was contacted for comment, but a response wasn’t received in time for print.