Ballinrobe student is rising star

STUDENT SeΡn Biggins

Ciara Galvin

BALLINROBE pupil SeΡn Biggins has been been shortlisted in the Bord GΡis Energy Student Theatre Awards.
SeΡn, a fifth class student in St Joseph’s NS, has made the top three list in the awards for the ‘Best Performance in a Leading Role’ category. Son of Kieran and Lisa Biggins, SeΡn was recognised for his role as ‘The Black Fairy’ in the school’s production of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ last December.
The awards received an astonishing 2,888 entries this year and teacher Sighle Hughes made the announcement of the exciting news to SeΡn and his classmates earlier this month.
“It’s a great achievement. I found out a few week’s ago but had to keep it to myself for a while before telling the class. They were super excited,” explained Ms Hughes.
SeΡn and his class will travel to the awards on May 5.
Ms Hughes, who was at the forefront of establishing Ballinrobe’s new drama group The Wilde River Drama Group, said drama is a great way for students to ‘achieve outside of academia’.
“In school every class puts on a performance. I entered students in the awards last year and we were shortlisted,” said Ms Hughes.
Judges for this year’s awards were actor Amy Huberman, Strictly Come Dancing star Tristan MacManus, scriptwriter Marina Carr, author Sarah Webb, set and costume designer Maree Kearns, Bord GΡis Energy Theatre manager Stephen Faloon and Bord GΡis communications manager Irene Gowing.