Imelda McDonagh to adjudicate 2014 Drama Festival

Imelda McDonagh holds an M.A. in Theatre Studies, is a qualified Make-Up artist and holds a Licentiate (Speech and Drama) from the London College of Music. She has had extensive involvement in theatre as both actress and director. She has been particularly successful on the Drama Festival scene, winning numerous “Best Actress” awards, culminating in an All-Ireland Award for Best Performance.

Also at home in the world of musical theatre, Imelda has won the coveted AIMS award for Best Director 2003 for her production of Kiss Me Kate and was nominated as Best Director for The Ha’penny Bridge in 2006.

Imelda is a founder member of IMP Productions, an independent company whose productions include Friel, Ibsen, Jennifer Johnston, McGuinness for international literary conferences and the Dublin and Dundalk Fringe, in which Imelda has performed to critical acclaim. Favourite roles include Lady Bracknell in Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest”, Blanche in William’s A Streetcar named Desire, Baglady in Frank McGuinness’ play of the same name and Stephanie in Kempinski’s Duet for One.

Most recently, she played the role of Kate in Miller’s All My Sons with SPARC, Dublin and is currently directing the musical Evita. She also enjoys delivering workshops on acting, directing and stage makeup.
Imelda has taken early retirement from her position as a Secondary School Teacher and is enjoying the freedom to travel and adjudicate. She is Secretary of the Association of Drama Adjudicators and is really looking forward to her first visit to Roscommon Drama Festival.