Dublin Academy of Dramatic Arts
was founded in 2000 with the aim of providing quality training in several areas of the arts to young people. At DADA, children and teenagers take classes in Acting, Speech, Dance (Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary etc.), Musical Theatre and Singing. While this training is central to our work at DADA, we also believe that through this training, students should gain skills that will last throughout their lives, skills such as building confidence, creativity, development of the imagination, the ability to participate well in a group - social skills that will continue into adulthood and beyond. At the school, we are proud to foster an atmosphere that continually encourages students in whatever discipline they choose to study.

The Tutors
The tutors at DADA have several years’ experience in teaching Speech, Drama and Dance at all levels, from kindergarten right through to acting and teaching diploma. Working with these tutors, candidates have successfully completed exams with several examination boards including The Irish Board, The Royal Irish Academy, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and London College. The tutors have expertise in the teaching of Speech, Drama, Oral Communication, Film and Dance, but are also trained performers themselves and so understand the needs of the students.

The director of the school is Hilary Cahill who began teaching 10 years ago while studying for her M.A. Hilary’s training in Drama Teaching and Acting led to her gaining Teaching and Acting Diplomas from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Hilary continues to work as a voiceover artist and works regularly in R.T.E. radio drama. The dance programme is led by Tara McQuillan who trained for Certificate in Professional Dance at the College of Dance in Dublin. During her training, Tara studied Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern and Contemporary Dance, as well as performing as a dancer herself.