Patrons & Past Students

Sir Michael Gambon

Dublin born actor Sir Michael Gambon joined the National Theatre under the artistic directorship of Sir Laurence Olivier. He has regularly appeared at the Royal National Theatre and the RSC. Roles include King Lear, Othello, Mark Anthony and Volpone. Movie fans will be more than familiar with his role of Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films. Betty Ann Norton Theatre School are proud to have Sir Michael as their patron.

Jim Norton

Jim Norton has a huge body of work to his name including reading the complete works of James Joyce for Naxos Audio Books. He won the Olivier Award for “The Seafarer” by Conor MacPherson in 2007 and the Tony Award for the same play on Broadway. And of course he is well known for his role of Bishop Brennan in “Father Ted”. Jim has appeared in the movie “Water for Elephants” in California, this movie also stars Robert Pattinson (Twilight Saga) and Reese Witherspoon. His performed as Polonius, in “Hamlet”, and in “The Crucible” on Broadway with Saoirse Ronan. Most recently he is performing in “Mockingbird” in the West End. 

SOME PAST STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL

Betty Ann has taught many people who are now famous in various areas of the Arts and Business. She has adjudicated all over Ireland and Britain. She loves teaching and her passion shows in our work and the results achieved by her students.

(In Alphabetical order)

  • Claudia Boyle – Opera Singer
  • Anna Carey – Journalist/Writer
  • Claudia Carroll – Actor/Writer
  • Peter Crawley – Critic/Journalist
  • Jim Culleton – Director
  • Pádraic Delaney – Actor
  • Ciara Dwyer – Journalist/Writer
  • Moya Doherty – CoFounder of Riverdance
  • Emma Donoghue – Author
  • Ruth Gilligan – Writer
  • Rosemary Henderson – Actor
  • Amy Huberman – Actor/Writer
  • Deirdre Kinahan – Playwright
  • Dervla Kirwan – Actor
  • Paul Keoghan – Lighting/Set Designer
  • Barry Lynch – Actor
  • Vincent Lambe – Filmmaker
  • Áine Lawlor – Television
  • Justine Mitchell – Actor
  • Diarmuid Noyes – Actor
  • Jim O’Hanlon – Director
  • Hugh O’Conor – Actor
  • Shane O’Reilly – Actor
  • Marian Richardson – Radio
  • Eleanor Shanley – Singer
  • Kevin Smith – Lighting Designer
  • Sophie Vavasseur – Actor