School of Rock 2023
Continuing a long tradition of producing high quality musicals, our school was delighted to bring the musical 'School of Rock' to the Draíocht stage in Blanchardstown from 1st - 4th February 2023.
After the Trojan efforts of so many staff members and all the cast in preparing for our school musical, we were treated to truly incredible performances on the Draíocht stage! The performances were sensational and thoroughly enjoyed by all the audience. We were especially thrilled that the fabulous cast got to perform in front of sell-out crowds for each performance.
Thank you to everybody who supported the staging of our musical, parents of cast members, the Board of Management, Parents' Association, the parent body within the school, sponsors and patrons who attended the shows, your support is greatly appreciated.
Thank you sincerely to all staff members who supported this musical in so many ways - a production of this magnitude and quality is unique in a primary school setting and could not be achieved without the support of so many staff members (with 27 staff members being in attendance assisting in many different roles each night!). This incredible level of support is at the very fabric of our school community, so many staff members working together to support each other's efforts and to support our pupils; in this case giving them a stage experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Particular thanks to Director Ms. Aoife Dixon, Musical Director Ms. Clara Donohoe and Choreographer Ms. Naomi Lee, this show could not have happened without your incredible efforts, giving up breaktimes for 5 months and rehearsing after school (and Saturdays!) to prepare for the shows, thank you sincerely, your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Well done to our incredible pupils who lit up the stage in Draíocht, you have such immense talent and all of us in the audience thoroughly enjoyed the shows, thank you for sharing your talent with us! Well done superstars, we couldn't be more proud of you!
Kieran Lyons
Principal
After the Trojan efforts of so many staff members and all the cast in preparing for our school musical, we were treated to truly incredible performances on the Draíocht stage! The performances were sensational and thoroughly enjoyed by all the audience. We were especially thrilled that the fabulous cast got to perform in front of sell-out crowds for each performance.
Thank you to everybody who supported the staging of our musical, parents of cast members, the Board of Management, Parents' Association, the parent body within the school, sponsors and patrons who attended the shows, your support is greatly appreciated.
Thank you sincerely to all staff members who supported this musical in so many ways - a production of this magnitude and quality is unique in a primary school setting and could not be achieved without the support of so many staff members (with 27 staff members being in attendance assisting in many different roles each night!). This incredible level of support is at the very fabric of our school community, so many staff members working together to support each other's efforts and to support our pupils; in this case giving them a stage experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Particular thanks to Director Ms. Aoife Dixon, Musical Director Ms. Clara Donohoe and Choreographer Ms. Naomi Lee, this show could not have happened without your incredible efforts, giving up breaktimes for 5 months and rehearsing after school (and Saturdays!) to prepare for the shows, thank you sincerely, your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Well done to our incredible pupils who lit up the stage in Draíocht, you have such immense talent and all of us in the audience thoroughly enjoyed the shows, thank you for sharing your talent with us! Well done superstars, we couldn't be more proud of you!
Kieran Lyons
Principal
About the show
Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme…You better get me to school on time! School of Rock is a musical, based on the hit movie. This show is sure give you belly-laughs, when ‘Dewey’ poses as his friend ‘Ned’ and takes up substitute teaching, in a prestigious Prep school, in order to make some money – following constant nagging from ‘Patti’. Here Dewey turns class of straight–A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school’s headmistress, ‘Ms Mullins’ finding out? |
Images from the show
School of Rock proved to be a roaring success. Enjoy this montage, providing a flavour of the fun.
Our experience
Kayleigh and Sienna had a fantastic time performing on the Draíocht stage. Read their experiences below.
My Experience on stage
For me the School of Rock was the best experience in my life. It was so much fun rehearsing over the past few months and getting to see my friends act as well. As soon as we started setting scenes I knew I was going to love the experience. Over the last couple of months I started going to rehersals at little break, big break and sometimes after school. The first month I started rehearsing my lines with Ms.Dixon. Then I began to rehearse my songs at the piano with Ms.Donohoe. When I was going to rehearsal each break I realised how much effort was going in to this Musical and how hard each person was working. All of the teachers were so nice and were doing everything they could to bring this Musical together. When I got home from school every day I finished my homework and then I took out my script and started to rehearse my lines with whoever was at home. When we were getting closer to the show we started working harder and rehearsals got a little bit tougher but I kept pushing myself to do my best. We were three weeks to the show so we started having Saturday rehearsals for 5 hours. It was tiring but really fun. On the last week before the show we were introduced to the band. They started to rehearse their music for a while. Then we ran the show from the top to the bottom. The music was so good and the show was coming together. On the last few days before the show Ms Lee was helping me with my diner scene and which way I should walk around the table. We also had rehearsals at the Daríocht on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from half nine in the morning to two o’clock in the evening and after school. On Tuesday night it was really fun because it was dress rehearsal and I got to sit in the audience and watch my double cast do the show. We finally got to see our dressing room and got to see where we would be backstage. On the opening night I was in the chorus because my double cast was playing our role tonight and tomorrow night but I was still really excited. When my show came I went into the main dressing room and got my costume on. Then I went into hair and makeup and got all ready for the show. Finally I got my microphone on and I was backstage getting all my props for the show. I started to walk on stage and I could already feel the excitement. The show was amazing and everyone was laughing. I couldn’t wait to do it all again tomorrow. On Saturday night I did it all again and I was more confident this time. At the very end of the show the double casted people came out and gave Ms.Lee and Ms.Dixon flowers. Then Mr. Lyons came out on stage and gave a speech to the audience. We finished off with ‘Stick it to the man’. It was the best experience ever. Thanks to all of the teachers who helped out with the Musical.
The School of Rock - My experience
The moment I found out I got into the cast of the School of Rock I was so excited. The thought of being with all of my friends every day for the next while was so cool. At first it was only little break rehearsals but then big break rehearsals and then it started after school rehearsals. I knew it would be all worth it. It was so fun learning the dances with Ms.Lee, the songs with Ms.Donohoe and the many lines with Ms.Dixon. It was interesting watching my friends playing completely different characters to whom they really are and hearing some people sing for the first time.
On Saturday the 28th of January we had rehearsal from 9 AM - 2 PM. That day we were introduced to the band. It was such a great experience. Monday the week of the show, all of the cast went down to the Draíocht for the whole school day. We were rehearsing there for the first time. The first time being on stage was incredible when the lights were shining down on you and you could see the 200 seats that were going to be full in two days. That evening we were in the Draíocht from 3PM - 6PM. The next day was a dress rehearsal. We were in Draíocht all day again. Dress rehearsal was the first time we were all in our costumes together, had our hair and makeup done and had our microphones on. It was great. When I got on stage for the first time it felt like you were actually in a movie or on a Broadway stage.
The first night of the show Wednesday the 1st of February 2023 was the best night of my life. Everyone backstage was mixed with emotions happy, nervous and most of all excited. Everyone was peeking through the curtain and there were so many people. The auditorium was full. Backstage was pitch black and we weren't allowed to talk because our microphones would pick it up, so we were in complete silence. Your first time on stage is unimaginable.
The School Of Rock Musical was one of the best experiences of my life and I would do anything to do it again.
My Experience on stage
For me the School of Rock was the best experience in my life. It was so much fun rehearsing over the past few months and getting to see my friends act as well. As soon as we started setting scenes I knew I was going to love the experience. Over the last couple of months I started going to rehersals at little break, big break and sometimes after school. The first month I started rehearsing my lines with Ms.Dixon. Then I began to rehearse my songs at the piano with Ms.Donohoe. When I was going to rehearsal each break I realised how much effort was going in to this Musical and how hard each person was working. All of the teachers were so nice and were doing everything they could to bring this Musical together. When I got home from school every day I finished my homework and then I took out my script and started to rehearse my lines with whoever was at home. When we were getting closer to the show we started working harder and rehearsals got a little bit tougher but I kept pushing myself to do my best. We were three weeks to the show so we started having Saturday rehearsals for 5 hours. It was tiring but really fun. On the last week before the show we were introduced to the band. They started to rehearse their music for a while. Then we ran the show from the top to the bottom. The music was so good and the show was coming together. On the last few days before the show Ms Lee was helping me with my diner scene and which way I should walk around the table. We also had rehearsals at the Daríocht on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from half nine in the morning to two o’clock in the evening and after school. On Tuesday night it was really fun because it was dress rehearsal and I got to sit in the audience and watch my double cast do the show. We finally got to see our dressing room and got to see where we would be backstage. On the opening night I was in the chorus because my double cast was playing our role tonight and tomorrow night but I was still really excited. When my show came I went into the main dressing room and got my costume on. Then I went into hair and makeup and got all ready for the show. Finally I got my microphone on and I was backstage getting all my props for the show. I started to walk on stage and I could already feel the excitement. The show was amazing and everyone was laughing. I couldn’t wait to do it all again tomorrow. On Saturday night I did it all again and I was more confident this time. At the very end of the show the double casted people came out and gave Ms.Lee and Ms.Dixon flowers. Then Mr. Lyons came out on stage and gave a speech to the audience. We finished off with ‘Stick it to the man’. It was the best experience ever. Thanks to all of the teachers who helped out with the Musical.
The School of Rock - My experience
The moment I found out I got into the cast of the School of Rock I was so excited. The thought of being with all of my friends every day for the next while was so cool. At first it was only little break rehearsals but then big break rehearsals and then it started after school rehearsals. I knew it would be all worth it. It was so fun learning the dances with Ms.Lee, the songs with Ms.Donohoe and the many lines with Ms.Dixon. It was interesting watching my friends playing completely different characters to whom they really are and hearing some people sing for the first time.
On Saturday the 28th of January we had rehearsal from 9 AM - 2 PM. That day we were introduced to the band. It was such a great experience. Monday the week of the show, all of the cast went down to the Draíocht for the whole school day. We were rehearsing there for the first time. The first time being on stage was incredible when the lights were shining down on you and you could see the 200 seats that were going to be full in two days. That evening we were in the Draíocht from 3PM - 6PM. The next day was a dress rehearsal. We were in Draíocht all day again. Dress rehearsal was the first time we were all in our costumes together, had our hair and makeup done and had our microphones on. It was great. When I got on stage for the first time it felt like you were actually in a movie or on a Broadway stage.
The first night of the show Wednesday the 1st of February 2023 was the best night of my life. Everyone backstage was mixed with emotions happy, nervous and most of all excited. Everyone was peeking through the curtain and there were so many people. The auditorium was full. Backstage was pitch black and we weren't allowed to talk because our microphones would pick it up, so we were in complete silence. Your first time on stage is unimaginable.
The School Of Rock Musical was one of the best experiences of my life and I would do anything to do it again.
About the Musical
Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme…You better get me to school on time! School of Rock is a musical, based on the hit movie. This show is sure give you belly-laughs, when ‘Dewey’ poses as his friend ‘Ned’ and takes up substitute teaching, in a prestigious Prep school, in order to make some money – following constant nagging from ‘Patti’. Here Dewey turns class of straight–A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school’s headmistress, ‘Ms Mullins’ finding out?
Our musical logo was designed by Kamile in Ms Dwyer's class. It is a wonderful image and captures the spirit of the musical perfectly.