Last month Amy Huberman launched the Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre awards, which celebrate primary and secondary school students who are involved in theatre.
We caught up with her to talk about her latest projects and whether her and hubby Brian O’Driscoll are planning on expanding their brood.
Here’s what she had to say…
The awards
This is their third year. I launched their first year and they’re now open for entries until January. There were over 3,000 entrants last year so it’s growing every year. It’s really to reward students who are involved in theatre production in their schools.
Her first role on stage
I did the Nativity Play and I was playing the king. I was in a towel and my mum had made a crown. My younger brother, who is four years younger than me, was in the crowd so when I came out for my big moment, he shouted “that’s my sister!” That’s my lasting memory. It was my first school play and I was upstaged by him.
Her script
I’ve set time aside for a final pass over it. Then it goes back in and then, all going well, the next stage would be going into pre-production and funding. You’d attach a director before cast. I have a cast in my head but it will be an Irish cast. I can see in my head who I would love to the play the parts. But you have to take each stage as it comes. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself even though it’s nice to be positive.
Her latest role
I’m doing an action movie at the moment. I’ve never done it before. It’s not based in Ireland but it’s being filmed here. It’s an Irish co-production. I have a fight scene. I’ve only ever done crash mats out of shot. I didn’t have to train because I’ve got a stunt double. She’ll take any of the major hits. The working title of the film is The Fixer.
Going back to work after giving birth
It was nice to be at home writing when he was little but it’s lovely to be back out. You get a buzz from being on set… You have to live your own life and as soon as you wrap on one thing, you think what are you going to do next. You get used to it. Sometimes you do wonder if anyone will ever employ you ever again but things move so fast. When one thing passes, another thing comes along. You learn to roll with it. It’s nice to take your own time as well.
Adding to her brood
I think that’s me done (two children – Sadie and Billy). Sometimes I think how on earth would I fit in another child? Then again, sometimes I do dream of a house full of 10 children but then there’s the logistics of having to do that. It’d be a lot of work!
The Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre awards celebrate students who are involved in theatre. The deadline for entries for this year’s competition is 5pm, Friday 29th January. For more information or to enter the awards, log on to bgesta.ie.
