Irish Student Drama Association

 ISDA (the Irish Student Drama Association) is the umbrella organisation of Ireland’s most prolific third-level drama societies. 

It aims to provide a national platform through which student drama may be promoted and encouraged and acts as a forum through which students from the drama societies of different third-level institutions can come together and interact on a creative and social level. Membership of the organisation is open to any drama society from a third-level institution on the island of Ireland.

The highlight of the ISDA year is the association’s annual theatre festival and award ceremony – a week-long festival in which all member societies may display their shows and compete.

Above all, ISDA attempts to foster the young talent present in our member colleges. Since it’s foundation in 1947, the association has remained committed to this belief and over the years ISDA has been the breeding ground of such theatre heavyweights as Michael Colgan, Conor McPherson, Fiona Shaw, Alan Stanford, Barry McGovern, Garry Hynes, Cian O’Brien and Tom Creed; as well as other well-known names like actress Pauline McLynn and actor / comedian Chris O’Dowd.

So, if you’re interested in the Arts and want to know how you can get involved, get in contact with us here at ISDA and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.

The future of Irish theatre is safe in the hands of its students. ISDA is a haven for the innovation, creativity and enthusiasm that has been rightly associated with student drama and with our organisation since its inception. We facilitate the creation of theatre which both celebrates the illustrious past of Irish drama and shines a light on the exciting future, in which many of our members will play a role.