THE FUTURE of Irish drama will be showcased in Dublin this week as more than 300 third-level students gather for the annual Irish Students Drama Association festival (ISDA).
The event, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, will see a selection of 24 original and well-known productions performed in four professional theatres in the capital.
This year's festival is being organised by Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) and runs from today until Sunday next. Students from 13 colleges across the country will participate.
Ian Mullin, festival director and president of the DIT drama society, believes the programme will be a fantastic showcase for student drama.
"Each year the festival highlights the sheer professionalism and dedication of the student participants. Students all over the country will benefit from the opportunity to perform as part of the festival.
"It's a great opportunity for anyone interested in the arts to come along to see the future of Irish theatre," he said.
Nine of the productions will be original works by emerging playwrights of the student drama movement. Other productions include well-known plays by Irish and international authors.
A number of well-known actors, composers and theatre figures began their careers in student drama, with festival alumni including Pauline McLynn, Fiona Shaw and Donal Gleeson.
A panel of three judges will attend each production, and award winners will be announced at a special ceremony in the Academy Theatre, Middle Abbey Street, on Sunday at 7pm.
The programme is at www.isdafestival.ie and tickets are available at www.tickets.ie/isda2008.
