About Orla Gildea

Orla is a qualified and experienced Drama Teacher and Facilitator. She established her school of Speech and Drama in 2002. Classes run Leixlip and  Celbridge and all ages are catered for. Orla also teaches students on an individual and small group basis.

Orla is a Senior Examiner with the Irish Board of Speech and Drama and is an experienced adjudicator at Drama Festivals.

Orla  is a freelance facilitator, lecturer and Creative Arts Therapist (specialising in Dramatherapy).  She has experience of mental health clients and special needs groups including Intellectual Disabilities and Autism.

Orla has a keen interest in devising theatre and creative writing.

Stage / Theatre/ TV Experience

Orla is an experienced actress and has worked professionally in film, TV and theatre. She has directed, stage managed and coordinated costumes for theatre productions.Orla has received bursaries and grants from the Kildare County Council Arts Department to attend acting courses, record her own play, devise a performance to commemorate the 1916 rising and produce a short film she co-wrote.  A story she wrote was selected  and recorded for Kildare County Council’s ‘Stories for the Ear’. Orla also was awarded an Arts Council Agility Award.


Qualifications

  • MA Dramatherapy, NUI Maynooth
  • Diploma in Drama and Theatre Studies, NUI Maynooth
  • Diploma of Licentiate, Irish Board of Speech and Drama – LIBSD
  • Diploma of Associate, Irish Board of Speech and Drama – AIBSD
  • Certificate in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship – Trinity College
  • Laban Guild Dance Leader
  • Advanced Performance Acting, Gaiety School of Acting

Orla believes in the importance of continuous professional development and attends training courses and workshops on an ongoing basis.

Professional Memberships

  • Speech and Drama Teachers of Ireland (Past Treasurer)
  • Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists