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ABOUT US
Soul Dance Arts is a new emerging stage school in Waterford. We launched in 2017 and have gone from strength to strength since. We run our classes in a state of the art purpose built studio in the Six Cross Roads Business Park, Waterford. We are located in Unit 16B, next to
Ellickson Doors.
We specialise in the field of musical theatre. Our tutors are award
winning, trained professionals who all share two things in common:
a passion and love for performing and a desire to to inspire the younger
generation with performing arts.
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We encourage kids to grow confidence in themselves as individuals
and as performers. We encourage them to make friends but most of all,
to have fun! Kids will learn the 3 aspects of theatre (Dance, Drama and
Song) in a fun and safe environment.
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We stage 3+ productions every year while also giving the students performance opportunities at different events, shows etc. Every child will partake in the production with their dance classes but they have the option of auditioning for leading parts if they so desire. They get to experience getting a show from page to stage and all the learning experiences that come with this. We also offer workshops, theatre trips and drama exams.
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In the past our students have ventured to the West End for a theatrical tip to the bright lights on London. They have performed on the main stage at Perform Festival Ireland. They have taken workshops with industry professionals (Billy Nevers, Carl McGuire, Carrie Mullane, Cian Hughes, Brian O'Muiri, Evan O'Hanlon).
MEET THE TEAM
JACK CUNNINGHAM
SCHOOL CO - DIRECTOR + HEAD OF DANCE & MUSICAL THEATRE
Jack is a graduate of The College of Dance, Dublin from which he holds a Diploma in Professional Dance. Jack also holds a Diploma in Acting from the London College of Music. Jack also received a scholarship for a summer school in the Institute of the Arts Barcelona. When not working with SDA , he is the Artistic Director of his own production company - Jack Cunningham Productions.
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Previous Production Experience: Producer, Director & Choreographer (Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors, A Chorus Line, Bugsy Malone, Oliver!, Matilda, Anything Goes, Seussical, Aladdin, Guys & Dolls, Nunsense, Cats, Crazy for You), Director & Choreographer (Footloose, High School Musical), Co. Choreographer (Seussical, Beauty and the Beast). Producer & Director (Steel Magnolias & Our Day Out). Jack has also directed and choreographed a big number of sell out concerts and variety shows. He has also worked on nearly every possible aspect of theatre from sound to set to costumes! Jack has also worked with Spraoi, Waterford Pride, DragQueens.ie and many more companies on various different productions and projects.
Over the years, Jack has collected a multiple of awards and nominations at both a local and national level. Most recently, Jack received the award for Best Choreographer at AIMS 2024 for his work on Guys and Dolls and in 2023, Jack received an AIMS nomination for Best Choreographer' for his work on Anything Goes. Over the years Jack has picked up 3 News & Star Green Room Award wins for Best Choreographer and last year won Best Director in a Musical. Jack has also received local nominations for Best Director of an Amateur Drama, Best Comedian and many more!
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No stranger to the stage, Jack has played a multitude of parts over the years. Some of his favourites are: Cat in the Hat (Seussical), Ryan (High School Musical), Doody & Eugene (Grease), Orin (Little Shop of Horrors), Jack (Chatroom) to name but a few. Jack also has performance experience working on different projects with RTE's Primetime, Festival Productions in the National Concert Hall and various other projects in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, The Helix, RDS, The TLT and many more.
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Jack loves teaching the younger generation and ensuring they are on the right theatrical path!
LISA KEARNEY
SCHOOL CO - DIRECTOR + HEAD OF DRAMA & YOGA
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Through her love of theatre and performing, Lisa Kearney has worked creatively in the teaching drama industry for the past 9 years. After qualifying as a drama teacher in 2008, she began working with Richie Hayes and Erica Delaney Hayes, and under their professional guidance she became more confident in her role as a drama teacher. In 2010, Lisa embarked on a nine month intense course in theatre studies with Red Kettle Theatre Academy. During this time she gained experience in different fields such as stage combat, set design, voice production while also gaining exposure to some of Ireland's most eminent actors.
In 2014 Lisa worked for 3 months on the TV drama series ‘Vikings’. Lisa has also been involved in some short films. She is one of the most enthusiastic, motivated, creative and understanding Speech and Drama teachers. She is a determined yet sensitive teacher who relates very well to others. Lisa is genuinely motivated by all aspects of drama as a subject. It is her belief that the most important people in a school are the pupils. She believes that all pupils should be in a safe, positive, ‘student centred’ learning environment, where, irrespective of their abilities, students deserve respect, encouragement and kindness. Lisa has made several stage appearances in Waterford over the years with various groups like Waterford Musical Society, Ignite Productions, TheatreBox Studios (Ms. Lynch in Grease), Jack Cunningham Productions (Ouiser in Steel Magnolias) and many more.
Lisa believes some of the most important attributes you can give any pupil is positive self-image and self-esteem. Lisa is an excellent communicator with very good listening skills, which, coupled with a very strong work ethic this has served her well in achieving success to date.
