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Local Government Awards 2006

St. Michael's Theatre has been shortlisted for a Local Government Award under the Best Arts Building category. Each arts building was nominated by a local County Councillor, in this case Cllr. Sean Connick. The nominee's were then assessed and a final shortlist of 3 was announced this week. The winner will be announced at a special black tie dinner in the Burlington Hotel on 7th October, with Miriam O’ Callaghan as MC. St. Michael's has undergone considerable renovations over the past decade. In 1996 a theatre management company, Feachtas Ealaion Teoranta, was set up and a capital grant from the Dept of Arts was secured. The theatre closed in May 1997 and work commenced on the building. Volunteers worked side by side with the contractors and the refurbishment began. The theatre re-opened on 3rd May 1999 with the Minister for Arts Sile de Velara performed the official opening. Welcoming people to the newly renovated theatre, Chair of the Board Mary Lou O'Kennedy said 'our vision for St. Michael's is that it will become a vibrant centre for the Community and Performing Arts in New Ross and the South East'. So commenced Feachtas Ealaion Teoranta, 'A journey into the Arts'. The transition from an amateur to a professional theatre had begun. In September of 2002 a significant expansion of the theatre took place with the opening of the Visual Art Gallery and in March 2003 a cinema was added to further expand the range of services. Major refurbishment work was carried out throughout the building over the past ten years and it is a testament to all who took part that St. Michael's is shortlisted for this prestigious award.

Minister O’ Donoghue officially launches bicentenary of Wexford’s most prestigious Art Centre.

New Ross 8th February 2006. Today, Minister John O’Donoghue visited St. Michael’s Theatre New Ross for its official bi-centenary launch. St Michaels opened its doors to the public over 200 years ago in its original incarnation as a parish church. For over two hundred years, St. Michaels has been a landmark venue in the town of New Ross and today is home to an Arts Centre, a cinema, a Rock school and a Film school.

Commenting on some of the highlights on the year’s programme of events, Minister O’Donoghue said he was particularly impressed with the quality of the programme, which commemorates the bicentenary.

Programme highlights include;

• Harlem Gospel Choir
• European Ballet,
• South Korean Pianist Young-Choon Park
• An exhibition featuring works from a private collection of Irish Art, including some previously un-exhibited works by Tony O’Malley.
  

The Minister commented “Regional theatre has shown itself to be a vibrant channel for the expression of the Arts throughout the country and I congratulate St. Michael’s on delivering a first rate arts experience to the people of New Ross and County Wexford.”

One of the features of St. Michael’s development over the years has been the determination of those behind the theatre to maintain the strong community focus that gives St. Michael’s its unique character. Some examples of this commitment to Community Arts at St. Michael’s can be illustrated in two unique projects currently operating catering specifically for the youth in the community. The Ross Rock School, comprising 40 musicians and 7 bands is now in its 3rd year, and Reel New Ross, a film making project recently premiered 11 original short films all written, acted, filmed and edited by young people from New Ross.