Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that the links highlighted in pink will take you to the relevant page of our website.
What is ITW? The Independent Theatre Workshop is a Theatre School in Dublin, Ireland. There are three locations: Clonskeagh (headquarters), Ranelagh, and Drumcondra. We hold over 200 classes per week in dance, drama, singing, speech & drama, and musical theatre. ITW was started by Gillian Oman 30 years ago and is still a top Irish theatre school and management company for young actors.
How do I/my child go for castings? ITW represents its students, so if you are an ITW student and you want to be considered for castings contact itwmanagement@itwstudios.ie and be sure you have ticked the relevant box on your online registration.
What classes should I/my child take? The core classes at ITW are dance and creative drama. These classes are 30 minutes each for Tots and 60 minutes each for Juniors upward. Once you are taking dance and creative drama you are an ITW member and can avail of member rates for additional classes such as speech, singing, or extra dance classes.
How many classes can a student do? As many as your schedule allows.
Is there a minimum number of classes a student can do? On a Saturday we ask that students take a minimum of 2 classes. Other than that you can take 1 or more classes each day. Taking two ITW classes - dance and drama or two dance classes together you get a discount and it counts as membership.
What is an ITW Membership? You automatically become an ITW Member when doing both Creative Drama and Dance.
What are the advantages of the membership? There is a discount for members on every class. As a member you can join the Dance Company or the Musical Theatre Company. Focusing on both dance and drama helps you in many ways. The classes are complementary; taking dance gives you control of your body and drama gives you tools of character and stage craft.
Can I/my child focus on one class or do they have to do Dance and Drama? Even though we always suggest our students take dance and drama, it is of course also possible to just focus on one kind and for example choose several different classes of dance, or just to take singing and dancing. You will pay a non-member rate for these classes and your options will be limited to mid-week. To attend on Saturdays students must take dance and creative drama at a minimum. Anyways, there is no harm in trying it all, because you might just find out during learning what really is your thing!
What if I/the student doesn't have any experience? Come along anyway! It is always nice if you have already done some dances or recitals in school but the most important thing is that you are willing to learn and have fun.
Can I/the student do a trial class? We feel that one class is not enough to get a real feel for the class or the school and ask that all students sign up for their chosen classes and attend for 3 weeks. If they don’t settle in by the end of week 3 you should let us know in the ITW Office and you can cancel your place at that point and we will refund you the balance of the fees paid.
Can I/the student join the Companies? If you want to join the Dance Company you should be enrolled in at least 2 dance classes. To join the Musical Theatre Company you have to take dance and creative drama at a minimum but are recommended to also take singing classes.
How can I book?
Go to register.itwstudios.ie and login to your existing account (returning students) or create a new one.
Fill in all your information. Update your school class for the new academic year and make sure you have agreed to the terms and conditions.
Choose classes using the "choose my classes" link. Once you are finished registering, click "Complete Registration" and you will get a confirmation message.
Pay your deposit and you are done!
How do I pay? Pay your deposit online through the account or call the office and pay over the phone with a card: (01) 260 0831/(01) 219 6842
When do I receive the confirmation that I’m booked in? As soon as we process your online booking and class deposit you will receive an email confirming you are booked in giving you all the information you need.
What if I pay the deposit, but can’t attend the class I’m booked in? Deposits are non-refundable unless a class is canceled by ITW, however if you contact us we can look at other options for you. In some cases deposits are transferable depending on the circumstance.
Can I just switch classes? We want all our students to be as happy as possible with their classes. If there are any issues, please contact the office and we will figure out the best solution possible! Classes run subject to minimum and maximum numbers.
When are fees paid? ITW works on three 10-week terms per academic year. A deposit is due at the time of booking over the summer which will go toward the Term 1 fee. Term 1 fees are due in full on or before the first day of class. Then fees are paid again in November and February. You will receive an email when fees are due. A €10 admin fee is added to outstanding balances after the second week of fee collection.
Are there any discounts? When you take dance and creative drama as your core classes you receive €50 off per term for group singing or speech & drama and €100 discount per term for private lessons. Other classes are also charged at a lower membership rate. There are no sibling discounts.
I can’t log in to my old account. What should I do? In many cases there is just something wrong with the connection or your device. Try to log in at a later time or over another PC. If you have forgotten your login data, like password or username, check your first registration email, which contains all this information. If you have no access to this, let us know and we will send you the details via email again.
There is no space in the class I’m looking for. What can I do? Many of our classes book up immediately so make sure you get your desired space by booking as early as possible and as soon as you are sure which classes you want to join! In case you were not able to book in time and your class is already full, call us so we can find an alternate day and time. If nothing is available we can put you on a waiting list in case a space opens up.
I don’t have the money to pay the deposit yet. Is it possible to reserve a space and pay later? Unfortunately, no. Student registrations go live on our online system only when we have received an online booking and deposit.
Can I be represented by ITW Management even though I’m not enrolled in ITW classes? No, we only represent our students.
What’s the difference between Creative Drama and Speech & Drama? In our creative drama classes the children learn drama by improvising and creating their own scenes and characters, duologues, and short plays. They learn acting and performance techniques to develop their creativity, imagination, confidence, and self- expression.
Speech & Drama classes are exam-based. Speech students take up to two exams per year with the Leinster School of Music and Drama. These classes are for smaller groups to ensure maximum of individual attention. The focus is on developing speech skills and techniques building up a repertoire of dramatic monologues, speaking poetry and prose, reading skills, projection, clear articulation, correcting speech faults and building confidence in speaking in front of an audience.
In what cases should I choose group singing or one-to-one singing lessons?
Group singing classes are recommended for younger or beginning singers. Private lessons are recommended for older students who are working on higher grade exams, Junior or Leaving Cert practicals, or college auditions.
What is the Young Dramatic Arts Theatre Company? YDA is our Youth Theatre Company for students aged 15+. Under the guidance of a skilled teacher/director they learn all the skills necessary to put on a production which they work towards.
What should I/my child wear?Children up to 6th Class must wear an ITW T-shirt. Our Tots have colour specific tops depending on their group! This should be accompanied with black leggings and dance shoes for dance class. Those in Secondary school are encouraged to wear ITW gear if they like but must be in comfortable dark clothing that they are able to move in and no large logos. Dance shoes are required for the dance studio. Any questions for specific dance class attire can be sent to dance@itwstudios.ie.
How can I take exams, either in acting or singing? Singing exams are done through singing lessons (either group or solo) and Acting exams are done through Speech and Drama classes, NOT Creative Drama.
What are the advantages of these exams? Exams are a great concrete way to track progress as well as building confidence. It’s also good to have a specific goal when developing these skills. Our students take the Leinster School of Music and Drama exams. 6th yrs have the opportunity to take LAMDA grades which can also be used for UCAS points.
Do you do Adult classes? Although some of our students may be 18 or 19 our Young Adult classes are aimed at those in their final years of secondary school.
Where do I get the ITW uniform? You can purchase ITW uniforms via our Online Shop. Dance shoes can be purchased from Dance World. Expensive dance wear is not required - perfectly appropriate dance leggings and footwear with a non marking sole can also be purchased from high street stores like Dunne, Pennys and Marks and Spencers.
Do classes run in the Summer? We run Holiday Courses during the Summer months of June, July and August. Our regular classes run for 30 weeks per year in line with the School Terms starting the week of September 1st and finishing up mid/late May.
My questions not on here, am I doomed? No of course not! Email office@itwstudios.ie or call us at 01 260 0831 or 01 219 6842 and we’ll answer your questions!
I want to work for you! Feel free to send a cover letter and CV to office@itwstudios.ie and we’ll be in contact should there be any available positions that suit your skillset
