The Lir Academy Announces Speech & Drama Exams
The Lir, National Academy of Dramatic Arts at Trinity College Dublin has announced a new programme of drama exams for children and young people aged 5-18 years.
The Lir, National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity College Dublin, has today announced the launch of a pioneering, brand-new speech and drama syllabus designed for young actors aged 5-18 years. Partnering with nationwide drama schools, the progressive curriculum shifts the focus away from rote learning towards playfulness, resilience, imagination, and curiosity for young people and children.
The Lir Academy Speech & Drama Exams have been conceived as an alternative to traditional speech and drama examinations; the initiative aims to redefine how dramatic arts are taught to primary and secondary school-aged students across the country.
Developed by leading theatre educators and practitioners, the new syllabus moves entirely away from rigid performance standards and memory-based rote learning. Instead, the curriculum focuses heavily on cultivating core life skills and creative capacities including imagination, playfulness, curiosity, resilience, and personal confidence. The programme seeks to partner with a network of nationwide speech and drama schools to foster a supportive, exploration-led environment where young people can thrive both on and off the stage.
The official rollout of the syllabus will begin in September 2026, at the start of the academic year with our founding partner schools and The Lir’s Youth Academy. The first round of regional assessments is scheduled to take place across Ireland in April and May 2027.
Speaking on the launch of the programme, Director & CEO Gemma Bodinetz outlined that “The Lir Academy is thrilled to launch its inaugural year of speech and drama examinations. As the National Academy of Dramatic Art, we are Ireland’s benchmark for professional training with significant alumni success. This new examination framework extends our core mission of nurturing creative courage and technical precision to all. Through meaningful collaboration, we are excited to partner with drama schools to expand imaginative landscapes and empower the next generation of creative thinkers to confidently make their mark on the world stage.”
The Lir Academy’s approach focuses on continuous artistic growth and developing the student’s creative process. Partner drama schools are encouraged to prioritise open-ended improvisation with core vocal and physical training so that students develop their authentic voice and self-expression.
This project has been made possible with the support of Lir Founder Danielle Ryan who noted “Having proudly reached a level of success in such a short space of time since its inception, The Lir Academy now aims to further support the next generation of talent by reaching out to them nationally through the introduction of The Lir Academy Speech & Drama Exams. In doing so, it hopes not only to establish a clear standard of quality that will help create pathways to a successful career in the industry but more importantly to cultivate an overall self-confidence and renewed interest in performance among young people. We are excited to bring The Lir Academy to as many communities in Ireland as possible."
Leading Irish director and Lir board member Dearbhla Walsh, (Bad Sisters, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Fargo), championed the development, stating that "This syllabus is a major evolutionary leap forward for creative education in Ireland. Industry standards are shifting; directors and creative leaders are looking for young performers who display genuine creative agency, active imagination, and emotional resilience. This programme allows educators to treat young people as creative collaborators. It doesn’t just teach performance skills, it prepares a generation of young minds to think adaptively and confidently command any space."
Speech and drama teachers, academy directors, and independent school owners across the island of Ireland are invited to register interest to receive comprehensive training materials, module structures, and assessment guidelines. Please contact Roger Evans, Head of Youth Training via youthtraining@thelir.ie for details.