On Monday I travelled to Letterkenny to attend an audition, which I knew very little about, except that it was going to be entirely improvised. I went along, not knowing what to expect (for a start, I had never actually stopped in Letterkenny, only drove through it a few times when I was about 8 years old), and found An Grainan Theatre relatively easily. When I was there I met up with the director, David Rane, the producer, Paul Bonar, both involved with Soilsiu Films and a third lady, Dr Jeanne Cashin Phd.
They explained that the project was based on a non fiction book that they have optioned, the memoirs of a Guard based in rural Donegal, Martin Ridge, whose investigation led to the convictions of two paedophiles in the community, Fr Eugene Greene and a primary school teacher, Denis McGinley.
The project is going to be based on the grown up victims and how they deal with their trauma - hence the involvement of Dr Cashin.
The audition went well, and I was one of the first group of two to audition, which I am beginning to believe, is an advantage, since you get to set the bar, rather than live up to it. I got a call back and was told I have got a callback, which involves a week-long improv retreat in Gartan Outdoor Education Centre, where there will be team-building between the other attendees (I don't who they are yet), and an intensive program of workshops.
The project sounds incredibly moving, and it would be great to get a major role in the feature film - something my CV is lacking at present, but the retreat in itself will be an incredible experience, and I can't wait to get stuck in.