Colaiste Stiofan Naofa combines music and theatre in new course

Versatility in the performing arts is essential in the current economic climate, says Chris Ahern, head of the performing arts department at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa (CSN) in Cork.

Because of cuts to teaching staff and an increase in the pupil to teacher ratio, CSN has to do more with less. The college is launching a new PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) course called the performing arts course from Sept 16.

“Music is very strong at CSN, as is dance. We also have theatre studies. The idea is that the music and dance courses will both stand alone but we will take elements of them and put them into our theatre course. For want of a better name, what we’re introducing is musical theatre.”