Montfort College of Performing Arts
Montfort College of Performing Arts is a highly succesful stage school which takes place in Cork City. Montforts was established in 1958. It was founded by a highly qualified Eileen Nolan. Eileen Nolan is highly qualified she is a Sion Hill Colleg, London, Ireland and Trinity College qualified teacher. She hired highly qualified teachers and started a huge stage school.
The Original Montfort Singers
Originally Eileen Nolan founded a group called the "Montfort Singers" which healined sold out events on the "Cork Opera House" it was very succesful and that inspired Eileen to discover the "Montfort School of Performing Arts"
Notable Alumni Of The Stage School
Professional Theatre
Michael McCarthy – star of Les Miserables in the West End and on Broadway Michael Sands – Just finished a successful run in Dublin in the Wireman and Guys and Dolls Karen Hackett – Lead in Dublin pantomime. Played part in Fair City. Singing in National Concert Hall, Dublin in Oct Seán Hackett – graduated from Bodyworks in July and now on tour with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, London Elaine and Eílish Symmons – Elaine - working in the National Theatre and appeared in many TV shows and movies. Eílish – appeared in Fair City and has appeared in many professional productions. Mary Sexton – going on tour with Riverdance Hugh Lee – on tour with Stones in his Pockets Frank Twomey – presenter of Bosco for many years. Now presenting Cork City and Culture on TV Brendan Collins – playing in opera in Cork and Dublin Shirley McCarthy – played the starring role in Singing in the Rain and West Side Story. Irene Warren – played in Les Miserables and Starlight Express on the West End Damian Delaney – danced in Cats and Half a Sixpence and now appearing in Billy Elliot in Victoria Palace, London. Mark O Shaughnessy - originally trained with and taught for the Montfort Stage School before going on to do a degree in theatre studies at Stephens College, in Missouri, USA. After completing his studies he spent a year working for the Watergate theatre in Kilkenny before heading to London where he has worked for the past 10 years. His favourite roles have included Jack and the Wolfe in Into The Woods (USA), Claude in Hair (European Tour), Robert in An Ideal Husband (London), Lennox in Macbeth (Kilkenny), and Inspector Trotter in the touring production of The Mousetrap. Mark returned to Cork this year and has played the role of the Pied Piper in the Opera House panto as well as Mr. Sowerberry and Dr. Grimwig in Oliver for The Opera House and Helix theatres. Mark last worked with the Montforts in their production of Anything Goes, at the Everyman Palace, where he took on the role of Billy Crocker and is delighted to be working with old friends again. Norma Sheahan There are many others, too numerous to mention
Teachers, who opened their own Drama Schools after qualifying with the Montforts include: Maura Currivan – Catherine Mahon Buckley – Geraldine Foley – Philip McTaggart Walsh – Rebecca Allman – Christopher Hennessy – Maria McCarthy – Nevin and Susan O'Driscoll (Singapore) – Elaine Carlisle (Wales) – Margo Carlisle
Production Directors
Valery Horan Nigli – Zurich Comedy Club , Switzerland Marion Wyath – renowned in Cork Deirdre O'Riordan – director of most of our pantomimes Trish Long – USA Musical Directors
Michael Casey Cathal Dunne Angel Claiment Ronnie O Shaughnessy Paddy Hegarty R.I.P John Murphy R.I.P Pat Sheehan Corbett Christopher Hennessey Regina Gilley
Qualified Teachers
Eileen Nolan A,M.A.C., A.T.C.L. - Founder and Head of Drama
Qualified at Trinity College, London and Sion Hill, Ireland and is a member of the Association of L.A.M.D.A Teachers, British Federation of Festivals, Society of Speech and Drama Teachers and local representative for L.A.M.D.A. Eileen has been a Nominee for Person of the Year.
Valerie O Leary (Hons) Drama
Valerie is a well known actress and singer and holds a L.A.M.D.A. Diploma. Valerie has also directed and performed in numerous shows in Fermoy and has performed in almost all Montfort productions. Watch out for Valerie in this years Christmas pantomime at the Cork Opera House - "Aladdin"
Karen Cotter A.L.A.M. Drama
A member of the Association of L.A.M.D.A. Teachers. Karen is a well known dancer and choreographer, choreographing many musical productions.
Julie O Riordan A.L.A.M. (Hons) Drama
Julie holds a L.A.M.D.A Diploma and has performed in many productions. She is a well known actress and has taught for many years with the Montfort College.
Margaret O McCarthy L.L.C.M. (Hons), A.L.C.M., F.L.C.L. (London)
Margaret is both an Honours Associate and Licentiate of the London College of Music, Speech and Drama and also holds a Certificate in Music and Voice Training from the Royal College of Music and also received a Fellowship from London College. She has also starred in a recent movie shot in West Cork.
Laurie O Driscoll B.A., H.Dip(Ed)
Laurie holds a Higher Diploma in Education and has studied with L.A.M.D.A. She is currently teaching in Cobh Community College and will direct their production of "Lets go to The Movies". She has appeared in most of our productions and will star in our forth-coming production of "The Magic of the Musicals".
Sarah Burke B.A., B.Mus.
Sarah recently received her MA in Drama & Theatre at UCC. She played Cinderella in this year's pantomime at the Cork Opera House and will perform again in the forthcoming production of Michael Collins in February also at the Cork Opera House.
Kate Hughes
Kate has trained at London College and has performed at many productions to date. She is also qualified as a TEFL teacher which has enabled her to travel widely
Paula Whitney A.L.A.M. (L.A.M.D.A.) Diploma in Acting
This is Paula's second year on the staff teaching both Speech-Drama and Dance. She has been awarded for costume and stage design at the national drama festival in Atlone. She also holds a diploma in both Theatre Studies and Sound Engineering.
Amy O Donoghue
Amy is currently studying Law at UCC and has trained with the Monforts for many years. She is a triple gold medalist in Verse-Prose, Acting and Public Speaking and is also studying for her teaching diploma in speech and Drama Education with LAMDA. In addition to this she is studying for her final grade exams in Piano with RIAM.
Irene Kelleher
Irene has studied with Montforts for many years and holds an Honours gold medal with LAMDA in both Acting and Verse/Prose. Recent performances include The Public and Shakers at the Granery Theatre.
Sheila Healy - Wardrobe Supervisor
Sheila is well known in theatre circles in Cork for her contribution to costume. She has worked with the Montforts on numerous productions.
Laura Mitchell
Laura holds a degree in theatre dance from the famous Studio Centre in London and has just returned from a year out which she spent traveling the world. We are delighted to welcome her back
Angela Newman
Angela has studied with the Montfort College, Stella Marn College London and trained under Luigi in New York (Lisa Minelli's choreographer). She has also appeared on the BBC's Summer Season - "Falling for a Dancer" and has performed at Bunratty Castle for 2 years. Angela has spent 1 year performing in Australia
Margaret O'Farrell - Office Manager
As one of the original members of the Montfort Singers, Margaret has been involved with the Monfort College since it's inception in 1963. Her current involvement is that of managing the very hectic Montfort Office at the Ballyvolane Studios, where she is first point contact for students, teachers and parents. She is a keen theatre goer and never misses a Montfort Production.
Sandra Walsh I.P.A & Margaret O Sullivan - Play school
Sandra and Margaret are members of the Irish Playgroup Associationn