Saturday August 30 saw the opening of a highly anticipated new arts hub in the heart of Thurles town.
The Encore Studio Space on O’Donovan Rossa St was a hive of activity as founder Therese Maher welcomed young kids, teens, and parents alike to look at all the space has to offer.
Boasting a professional standard dance studio complete with mirror wall and modern sound system, a performance space, multiple music tutoring rooms, an animation studio, a soundproof band room, and a sensory room, TESS promises to be a creative outlet for young people rarely seen outside of Ireland’s major cities.
READ NEXT: Tipp hurlers to feature as part of Dillon Quirke Foundation fundraiser at local GAA club
The founder and brains behind The Encore Studio Space, Therese Maher, spoke to the Tipperary Star at the official launch and described how she felt after months of intense planning and hard work to open in time for the new academic year.
“I actually haven’t processed any of the emotions just yet”, Therese began.
“I won’t say this has been a lifelong goal of mine, but it’s definitely something that I knew I wanted since I’ve been involved in theatre. I was never one of these people that wants to be a performer, never wanted the limelight, never wanted to be front and centre.
“It’s always been about passing on my skills, the skills that I’ve learned to the next generation and this space is going to give us so much scope to do that.”
When the Tipperary Star was shown around the space earlier in the summer, the studios and rehearsal spaces were little more than scaffolding and bare concrete walls. Therese says launching in September was made possible by a colossal group effort from close friends and family.
READ NEXT: RTÉ to air series featuring controversial Tipperary priest and IRA operative this week
“It was still a building site last night! Part of the carpet literally went down yesterday, it was a huge, huge push. There was genuinely a point in mid-August where I didn’t think we were going to open in time. But I’ve had absolutely amazing support with friends and family coming on board, laying floors, cleaning, tidying, prepping the various rooms, and just assisting in that final push to get over the line.
“The reception has been amazing so far. People are walking through the door and going ‘Oh my God!’, and that’s before they’ve even seen a quarter of that we have to offer here. I’m encouraging people to go and explore the rest of the space and then come find me, because the building is very deceptive from the front, it’s so much bigger than it looks once youre actually inside.”
Incredibly, lessons and tutoring have already begun at The Encore Studio Space, with a large variety of music, dance, and drama based activities on offer. This is now the new home of both the Dwan Academy and Limelight Theatricals, and will also extend to providing one-to-one music lessons, animation workshops, and drama recitals throughout the year.
Any young person or parent of a child interested in what TESS has to offer is encouraged to go visit their website or official social media channels to get in touch with Therese.
“WhatsApp or email is the best way to get a hold of me and then I’ll send them the registration link.
“All the details of our classes and workshops and what we’ve got on offer as well as my phone number are online, and all are welcome.”
READ NEXT: Five Ursuline Thurles pupils selected for Munster Interprovincial hockey teams
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
