Guest Teachers
Throughout the year we welcome industry professionals to train and inspire our students.
Some of the professionals who have worked and continue to work with our students include the following.
Killian Donnelly
Donnelly has appeared in many different roles around Ireland and has also directed and written shows. His first theatre role was in 2005 where he featured in the chorus of The Wireman at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. He then continued to play Rod in Singin' in the Rain and Ethan in The Full Monty, both at the Olympia Theatre, Tony in West Side Story at the Solstice Theatre, Aladdin in Aladdin and Collins in Michael Collins: A Musical Drama, both at the Cork Opera House, Prince Charming in Cinderella at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin and Chorus in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Gate Theatre.
In 2008, he joined the West End production of Les Misérables as a swing and, as a member of the cast, was part of the Les Misérables concert with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra on the Isle of Wight. He became second cover Javert and Enjolras in the following season of 2009/10, during which time he also performed the lead role of Jean Valjean as an emergency cover multiple times. With the following cast change he was promoted to principal Enjolras and was officially listed (and performed) as third cover Valjean. He eventually finished in Les Misérables on June 18, 2011.
Donnelly's next role was Raoul in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre.[3][4] During this time, he also featured in commercials for McDonald's and Jameson Whiskey, and appeared on such television shows as The Tudors, The Open House, The Late Late Show and Showbands. He later performed in You Should Be Dancing at the National Concert Hall.
On October 3, 2010, Donnelly played the role of Courfeyrac in the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at The O2 Arena in London. He also played the role of Combeferre in the film of the show, released in 2012.
On November 12, 2012, Donnelly took over the role of Tony in Billy Elliot The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
On 20 August 2013, it was confirmed that Donnelly would originate the role of Deco in the West End Musical The Commitments from 21 September. Killian has announced that he will be playing Huey in 'Memphis The Musical' from 9th October 2014.
Watch Killian perform here
Nikki Snelson
Nikki Snelson is most recognized for her performance as Brooke Wyndam in the original Broadway and MTV cast of LEGALLY BLONDE. She has also been seen on Broadway in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (starring Bernadette Peters) and SWEET CHARITY (starring Christina Applegate). Nikki played "Cassie" in the US National Tour of A Chorus Line and also performed in the Broadway National Tours of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SHOW BOAT, HELLO, DOLLY, and Jonathan Larson's TICK TICK…BOOM(Susan)! Snelson originated the role of The Mad Hatter in Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland. Recently, Nikki played Velma in Chicago at Maine State Theater and Sally Bowles in Cabaret at The Napa Valley Opera House. Snelson was featured in the groundbreaking documentary EVERY LITTLE STEP as well as the major motion pictures REEFER MADNESS and ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. On the small screen, Nikki has been seen on Desperate Housewives and All My Children. She received her training in Theatre from Boston Conservatory. Nikki grew up in the St Louis area and made her professional debut at the St Louis Muny. Ms Snelson has directed, choreographed, and taught around the world. In 2014, Nikki travelled to Singapore to direct and choreograph "The Wedding Singer."
Watch Nikki perform here
George McMahon
We are delighted to welcome George McMahon (Mondo - Fair City) to the Montfort College of Performing Arts on Sunday the 2nd October. George will facilitate a film and TV workshop which will cover script work on camera, camera technique and mock auditions. All students will be filmed and given feedback. George will run three 90 minute workshops tailored to specific age groups. The age groups are 7 - 9 yrs (12.00pm - 1.30pm), 10 - 13 yrs ( 1.45pm - 3.15pm) and 14 - 17 yrs (3.30pm - 5.00pm). Places are limited and we expect this workshop to sell out quickly. To book your place please email info@montfortcollege.com. The fee is €20 per workshop.
GEORGE MCMAHON
George is probably best known for playing the loveable rogue Mondo in Fair City. He began his career by landing the title role in BBC's BAFTA Award winning Custers Last Stand. Since that his career has flourished and he has appeared in every major theatre throughout Ireland and on many TV shows such as The Late Late Show, Podge and Rodge and Celebrity Come Dine with Me. He recently appeared in Grease at Cork Opera House.
James Robinson
James trained at the Leicester College of Performing Arts studying in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and contemporary.
As a professional dancer James’ career leaned towards the commercial side of the industry and he has been fortunate to work with many acclaimed stars, The Pussycat Dolls, Leona Lewis, One Direction, Tom Jones, Annie Lennox, Lu Lu, The Saturdays,
Jessie J, 5ive, Blue, Dame Shirley Bassey, The Spice Girls, Cliff Richard, Chaka Khan and Ronan Keating to name but a few.
James has also been a part of a wide selection of television shows including The X Factor (ITV), Children in Need (BBC), Dancing on Ice (ITV), Stars in Their Eyes (ITV), Tonight’s the Night (BBC), The Royal Variety Show, Red or Black (ITV), Born to Shine (ITV) and Eurovision (BBC).
For a while now James has taken on the role as an Assistant and Lead Choreographer for shows such as The Big Reunion (ITV2), Clash of the Choirs (Russia 1), The Olympic Torch Ceremony, The Voice (BBC), The Saturdays and the Wanted, Big Dance (Russia1), So You Think You Can Dance (BBC) and also the prestigious Queens Jubilee Concert (BBC) working with numerous singers and stars of the industry.
James has also been involved in the fashion industry too working with companies such as Adidas, TIGI, Next, Wella, John Lewis, Roberto Carvalli, Clarks, Sloggi and Ann Summers, plus on screen and in photography for Beige, T-Mobile, Nokia, Sainsbury’s, Jacamo and Ford. With years of experience in performing and choreographing, James now feels it is a natural progression, to pass on his knowledge of the many aspects of the industry by teaching upcoming performers.
View James's showreel here
Louis Lovett
Louis is Ireland’s most experienced and critically acclaimed actor for Young Audiences.
Over the past 20 years Louis has worked with children of all ages through theatre and music with many companies such as The Abbey Theatre, TEAM Educational Theater Company, The Chester Beatty library, The Ark, a Cultural Centre for Children and others.
He is regularly commissioned to facilitate the family events at festivals around Ireland.
Louis’ previous theatre work includes ‘Bedroom Farce’ (The Gate Theatre); ‘The Making of ‘Tis Pity she’s a Whore (Siren Productions); ‘B for Baby’ (Best Actor Nominee, The Irish Times Theatre Awards 2010), ‘Bookworms’ and ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ (The Abbey Theatre); ‘Improbable Frequency’, ‘The Life of Galileo’ (Rough Magic); ‘Freefall’, ‘Dublin by Lamplight’ (Corn Exchange); ‘Mr. Foley, The Radio Operator’ (Theatre Lovett Irish Tour); ‘A Feast of Bones’ (Dublin Theatre Festival 2013), ‘The Girl who Forgot to Sing Badly’ (The Ark/Theatre Lovett), ‘A is for Andromeda, B is for Barbara’ (Theatre Lovett/IMMA), ‘The House that Jack Filled’, ‘A Man in Half’ (Theatre Lovett), ‘Fables, Tales and Tattlers’ (Theatre Lovett/Pavilion Theatre); ‘Slattery’s Sago Saga’, ‘The Butterfly Ranch’, ‘Candide’, ‘The Seven Deadly Sins’ (Performance Corporation); ‘The White- Headed Boy’, ‘God’s Gift’ and ‘Temple of Clown’ (Barabbas…the Company); ‘How Many Miles to Babylon’ (Second Age); ‘Antigone’ (Storytellers and Cork Opera House); ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ (Plush); ‘The Taming of The Shrew’ (Island); ‘Diamonds in the Soil’ (Macnas); Louis has performed in and directed several productions at The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children. Louis was Musical Director for ‘The Lost Days of Ollie Deasy’ (Macnas) and ‘Bumbógs and Bees’ (TEAM).
Television & Film includes ‘Moone Boy’, ‘Stella Days’, ‘Anseo’, ‘Killinascully’, ‘The Tudors’, ‘Showbands’, ‘Story Lane’, ‘The Morbegs’.
Radio: ‘All that Fall’, ‘Embers’ (Gare St. Lazare Players / RTÉ Radio1); ‘The Quest’ (Lyric FM); ‘The Third Policeman’s Ball’ and ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ (RTÉ Radio1).
View Louis showreel here
Sean Hackett
Sean has performed in the West End for over 10 years in such shows as Cabaret and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He has performed extensively across the UK in 'West Side Story', 'Peter Pan', 'Moulin Rouge' and 'High School Musical'. Recent work includes original choreography workshops on 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and the Spice Girl musical 'Viva Forever'.
Throughout the year we welcome industry professionals to train and inspire our students.
Some of the professionals who have worked and continue to work with our students include the following.
Killian Donnelly
Donnelly has appeared in many different roles around Ireland and has also directed and written shows. His first theatre role was in 2005 where he featured in the chorus of The Wireman at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. He then continued to play Rod in Singin' in the Rain and Ethan in The Full Monty, both at the Olympia Theatre, Tony in West Side Story at the Solstice Theatre, Aladdin in Aladdin and Collins in Michael Collins: A Musical Drama, both at the Cork Opera House, Prince Charming in Cinderella at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin and Chorus in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Gate Theatre.
In 2008, he joined the West End production of Les Misérables as a swing and, as a member of the cast, was part of the Les Misérables concert with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra on the Isle of Wight. He became second cover Javert and Enjolras in the following season of 2009/10, during which time he also performed the lead role of Jean Valjean as an emergency cover multiple times. With the following cast change he was promoted to principal Enjolras and was officially listed (and performed) as third cover Valjean. He eventually finished in Les Misérables on June 18, 2011.
Donnelly's next role was Raoul in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre.[3][4] During this time, he also featured in commercials for McDonald's and Jameson Whiskey, and appeared on such television shows as The Tudors, The Open House, The Late Late Show and Showbands. He later performed in You Should Be Dancing at the National Concert Hall.
On October 3, 2010, Donnelly played the role of Courfeyrac in the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at The O2 Arena in London. He also played the role of Combeferre in the film of the show, released in 2012.
On November 12, 2012, Donnelly took over the role of Tony in Billy Elliot The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
On 20 August 2013, it was confirmed that Donnelly would originate the role of Deco in the West End Musical The Commitments from 21 September. Killian has announced that he will be playing Huey in 'Memphis The Musical' from 9th October 2014.
Watch Killian perform here
Nikki Snelson
Nikki Snelson is most recognized for her performance as Brooke Wyndam in the original Broadway and MTV cast of LEGALLY BLONDE. She has also been seen on Broadway in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (starring Bernadette Peters) and SWEET CHARITY (starring Christina Applegate). Nikki played "Cassie" in the US National Tour of A Chorus Line and also performed in the Broadway National Tours of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SHOW BOAT, HELLO, DOLLY, and Jonathan Larson's TICK TICK…BOOM(Susan)! Snelson originated the role of The Mad Hatter in Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland. Recently, Nikki played Velma in Chicago at Maine State Theater and Sally Bowles in Cabaret at The Napa Valley Opera House. Snelson was featured in the groundbreaking documentary EVERY LITTLE STEP as well as the major motion pictures REEFER MADNESS and ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. On the small screen, Nikki has been seen on Desperate Housewives and All My Children. She received her training in Theatre from Boston Conservatory. Nikki grew up in the St Louis area and made her professional debut at the St Louis Muny. Ms Snelson has directed, choreographed, and taught around the world. In 2014, Nikki travelled to Singapore to direct and choreograph "The Wedding Singer."
Watch Nikki perform here
George McMahon
We are delighted to welcome George McMahon (Mondo - Fair City) to the Montfort College of Performing Arts on Sunday the 2nd October. George will facilitate a film and TV workshop which will cover script work on camera, camera technique and mock auditions. All students will be filmed and given feedback. George will run three 90 minute workshops tailored to specific age groups. The age groups are 7 - 9 yrs (12.00pm - 1.30pm), 10 - 13 yrs ( 1.45pm - 3.15pm) and 14 - 17 yrs (3.30pm - 5.00pm). Places are limited and we expect this workshop to sell out quickly. To book your place please email info@montfortcollege.com. The fee is €20 per workshop.
GEORGE MCMAHON
George is probably best known for playing the loveable rogue Mondo in Fair City. He began his career by landing the title role in BBC's BAFTA Award winning Custers Last Stand. Since that his career has flourished and he has appeared in every major theatre throughout Ireland and on many TV shows such as The Late Late Show, Podge and Rodge and Celebrity Come Dine with Me. He recently appeared in Grease at Cork Opera House.
James Robinson
James trained at the Leicester College of Performing Arts studying in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and contemporary.
As a professional dancer James’ career leaned towards the commercial side of the industry and he has been fortunate to work with many acclaimed stars, The Pussycat Dolls, Leona Lewis, One Direction, Tom Jones, Annie Lennox, Lu Lu, The Saturdays,
Jessie J, 5ive, Blue, Dame Shirley Bassey, The Spice Girls, Cliff Richard, Chaka Khan and Ronan Keating to name but a few.
James has also been a part of a wide selection of television shows including The X Factor (ITV), Children in Need (BBC), Dancing on Ice (ITV), Stars in Their Eyes (ITV), Tonight’s the Night (BBC), The Royal Variety Show, Red or Black (ITV), Born to Shine (ITV) and Eurovision (BBC).
For a while now James has taken on the role as an Assistant and Lead Choreographer for shows such as The Big Reunion (ITV2), Clash of the Choirs (Russia 1), The Olympic Torch Ceremony, The Voice (BBC), The Saturdays and the Wanted, Big Dance (Russia1), So You Think You Can Dance (BBC) and also the prestigious Queens Jubilee Concert (BBC) working with numerous singers and stars of the industry.
James has also been involved in the fashion industry too working with companies such as Adidas, TIGI, Next, Wella, John Lewis, Roberto Carvalli, Clarks, Sloggi and Ann Summers, plus on screen and in photography for Beige, T-Mobile, Nokia, Sainsbury’s, Jacamo and Ford. With years of experience in performing and choreographing, James now feels it is a natural progression, to pass on his knowledge of the many aspects of the industry by teaching upcoming performers.
View James's showreel here
Louis Lovett
Louis is Ireland’s most experienced and critically acclaimed actor for Young Audiences.
Over the past 20 years Louis has worked with children of all ages through theatre and music with many companies such as The Abbey Theatre, TEAM Educational Theater Company, The Chester Beatty library, The Ark, a Cultural Centre for Children and others.
He is regularly commissioned to facilitate the family events at festivals around Ireland.
Louis’ previous theatre work includes ‘Bedroom Farce’ (The Gate Theatre); ‘The Making of ‘Tis Pity she’s a Whore (Siren Productions); ‘B for Baby’ (Best Actor Nominee, The Irish Times Theatre Awards 2010), ‘Bookworms’ and ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ (The Abbey Theatre); ‘Improbable Frequency’, ‘The Life of Galileo’ (Rough Magic); ‘Freefall’, ‘Dublin by Lamplight’ (Corn Exchange); ‘Mr. Foley, The Radio Operator’ (Theatre Lovett Irish Tour); ‘A Feast of Bones’ (Dublin Theatre Festival 2013), ‘The Girl who Forgot to Sing Badly’ (The Ark/Theatre Lovett), ‘A is for Andromeda, B is for Barbara’ (Theatre Lovett/IMMA), ‘The House that Jack Filled’, ‘A Man in Half’ (Theatre Lovett), ‘Fables, Tales and Tattlers’ (Theatre Lovett/Pavilion Theatre); ‘Slattery’s Sago Saga’, ‘The Butterfly Ranch’, ‘Candide’, ‘The Seven Deadly Sins’ (Performance Corporation); ‘The White- Headed Boy’, ‘God’s Gift’ and ‘Temple of Clown’ (Barabbas…the Company); ‘How Many Miles to Babylon’ (Second Age); ‘Antigone’ (Storytellers and Cork Opera House); ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ (Plush); ‘The Taming of The Shrew’ (Island); ‘Diamonds in the Soil’ (Macnas); Louis has performed in and directed several productions at The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children. Louis was Musical Director for ‘The Lost Days of Ollie Deasy’ (Macnas) and ‘Bumbógs and Bees’ (TEAM).
Television & Film includes ‘Moone Boy’, ‘Stella Days’, ‘Anseo’, ‘Killinascully’, ‘The Tudors’, ‘Showbands’, ‘Story Lane’, ‘The Morbegs’.
Radio: ‘All that Fall’, ‘Embers’ (Gare St. Lazare Players / RTÉ Radio1); ‘The Quest’ (Lyric FM); ‘The Third Policeman’s Ball’ and ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ (RTÉ Radio1).
View Louis showreel here
Sean Hackett
Sean has performed in the West End for over 10 years in such shows as Cabaret and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He has performed extensively across the UK in 'West Side Story', 'Peter Pan', 'Moulin Rouge' and 'High School Musical'. Recent work includes original choreography workshops on 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and the Spice Girl musical 'Viva Forever'.