By Michelle Crean

Taking to the INEC stage with their very own show was a dream come true for young actors and writers this week.

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The teens brought 'Prom Queen: The Jukebox Musical’ to life on the big stage on Monday, and did it all again on Tuesday for 400 local students.

While it may have been a daunting task to write, produce and act in their own show, the youngsters took it all in their stride and delivered outstanding performances.

The musical was written, created and starred 15-year-old Sinéad Greene, a Third Year student at Killarney Community College. Her friend Rachel Griffin (17) was co-director, executive producer and also a lead actor, and the cast included local students from Killarney and surrounds.

The aim of the show was to bring awareness to issues such as mental health, bullying, domestic abuse.

There were also references to suicide and LGBTQ+ representation but the idea was to create dialogue and get the conversation going.

"We’re still all on a high! Another 400 attended the show for schools and the feedback to date has been absolutely incredible!" Sinead's mom, Katrin Pietzonka, told the Killarney Advertiser.

"Lots of praise for all cast members but especially to Sinead, Marie and Rachel Griffin, the executive producer, who made it all possible!"

She added that they are all grateful for all the support throughout the Prom Queen journey!

"Special thanks to Kieran Somers, Lily MacMonagle, Shannon and Makaela Crowley from the MACademy, Tony O’Flaherty from Killarney Community College, all the parents and everybody who believed and supported this amazing youth project!"

Lily MacMonagle from MACademy said that the "young adults have surpassed any expectation that me or anyone from The MACademy could have imagined".

"Their passion, creativity and patience for the dramatic arts is outstanding. This show is humorous, full of love, clever, funny and compassionate but more than anything it is relatable to everyone young and old sitting in the theatre. I take my hat off to the whole cast, to the writer to the director, you’ve only just begun."

Filmmaker Jessica Courtney Leen, who is also Head Drama Tutor at the West End House School of Arts, added that it's been really special following their journey.

"Killarney has something really inspiring here - this is a group of entrepreneurial young people who’ve created something they love and brought so much joy to their audiences because of it," she said.

"There’s talent in abundance here but it’s not even about that, it’s about the community they’ve created and the magic they’ve shared. Myself and all of the West End House family are so proud of our students in this group, and of every person involved. Hopefully we’ll see some of them at our Youth Theatre Club in January. Congratulations to everyone on PQ the musical.”