Keegan School of Speech and Drama – To enhance Clear Diction, Vocal Expression, Self Confidence, Creativity and Communication Skills

Why do Speech and Drama?

“To enhance Clear Diction, Vocal Expression, Self Confidence, Creativity and Communication Skills”

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Welcome to the Keegan School of Speech & Drama, established by Margot Keegan

Margot believes from her years of experience teaching Speech & Drama that it inspires children and young people to get the best out of life, to be confident and express themselves with self-assurance. They learn to communicate with proper eye contact and vocal clarity. These are the life skills children in today’s world require and her one to one classes enable every child from the retiring to the extrovert to accomplish this.

The classes are designed to cover all aspects of speech, drama and public speaking and will include the following:

✱ Poetry and prose speaking and reading
✱ Creative drama and improvisation
✱ Plays and characterisation
✱ Confidence building
✱ Reading techniques
✱ Speech and breathing exercises
✱ Mime and movement
✱ Storytelling
✱ Preparation for speech and drama examinations, public speaking examinations, feiseanna and auditions

Students are introduced to an array of writers of high literary merit, the classics, modern novels and playwrights. This is beneficial to their school work and general personal development.

It is important to note that in the new CPA (Classroom based assessment) programme an oral section has been added to the syllabus in which students should be able to deliver a short oral text, alone and/or in collaboration with others, using appropriate language, style and visual content for specific audiences and chosen purposes. Speech & Drama classes will enhance their ability and confidence in this area.

Exams

Public Speaking and Presentation exams with The Irish Board of Speech & Drama.

These are held annually for Secondary students which is an advantage to the CPA (classroom based assessment).
They are designed to develop inter-personal and speaking skills which will prove invaluable to students in both their personal and professional lives.

Speech & Drama, effective Communication and Solo Acting exams with the Leinster School of Music & Drama.

Designed for Primary and Secondary pupils which are individually designed to develop the students understanding of Poetry, Prose, Drama, Mime and Improvisation, to develop the voice and introduce the theory of Good Speech.
The benefit of these exams is to promote interpersonal skills and self awareness in a safe and friendly environment.
The completion of these exams enhances their C.V. and Personal Statement!

Keegan School Feis Weekend

A school Feis weekend is organised annually, this is an opportunity for parents to see the work carried out in class. Margot places emphasis primarily on clear vocal projection and clarity of speech. This is demonstrated through poetry, prose reading, solo drama and sight reading.

Classes

Primary and Secondary Schools

Aims of drama in the classroom

To work with a partner
To work in a group
To concentrate and cooperate
To demonstrate careful listening
To think quickly and logically
To remember lines
To speak your thoughts
To project the voice

Adult Classes

Areas covered in adult tuition

Communication skills
Presentation skills
Public speaking skills
Wedding Speeches & Readings
Accent Reduction
Improved speech and diction
Interview skills

What people say about the Keegan School of Speech & Drama...

I began taking lessons with the Keegan School of Speech and Drama from the age of five. Growing up I was quite a shy child and I have no doubt that practising elocution with Margot improved my self-confidence immensely. Margot acted as a teacher, a mentor and a friend over the 12 years I attended classes until I completed my final Grade 10 exam. I have found that Speech and Drama has helped me in each step of my life so far - leadership roles in secondary school, university presentations as well as job interviews. It has undoubtedly enhanced my teaching career opportunities by opening doors to schools in Ireland, the Middle East, London and now Singapore. My greatest strength is my ability to communicate with others and the ease by which I can present in front of a large group of people - attributes that were carefully taught and encouraged at the Keegan School of Speech and Drama.

For over twelve years I was a pupil of the Keegan School of Speech and Drama. My parents had the foresight to realise that good communication was an invaluable life skill so my sister, brother and I all attended Margot Keegan’s Speech and Drama classes. While children have the ability to communicate from a young age good communication skills need to be taught. Speech and Drama gave me the confidence to communicate effectively with my peers, teachers and work colleagues. My eldest daughter attended the Keegan School of Speech and Drama for ten years and completed her final Speech and Drama exam with the Leinster School of Music in 2013. She commented recently on how beneficial speech and drama has been during her years in college where oral presentations were an important part of her coursework. Currently, my youngest child is attending speech and drama classes and I would highly recommend the Keegan school of Speech and Drama to any parent.

I attended the Keegan School of Speech and Drama for 10 years and enjoyed every minute of it. Margot instils a courage and confidence in her students in a relaxed environment. I enjoyed the excitement of competitions and the feeling of accomplishment after examinations and made many friends along the way. In latter years, I also benefited from Margot’s tuition in public speaking. The confidence and skills obtained in these years remained with me throughout college, in my postgraduate education and in my career.

The Keegan School is well established in Letterkenny and students achieve outstanding results in Grade examinations with The Leinster School of Music and Drama. As an examiner with Leinster School and adjudicator at The Keegan School Feis I have been impressed by the standards achieved and the quality of the teaching.This is due to the individual attention provided and an ethos which supports every student , whatever their ability to reach their full potential.

I had the privilege of attending the Keegan School Feis as adjudicator on three occasions,2008, 2013 and 2017. I was hugely impressed by the excellent standard of performance in all categories. Students were very capable, confident and extremely well prepared, a breath of fresh air to observe. Recitals were most colourful, with wonderful fluency and enthusiastic expression. Excellent speech work was clearly evident and the students at Keegan school showed an unparalleled level of proficiency in their recitals.