Family, friends and lecturers were recently treated to a wonderful Christmas performance by students on the Certificate in Skills for Independent Living in DkIT’s Carroll Building.

‘Saving Sonya’s Christmas’ was an original production featuring students on the Certificate in Skills for Independent Living, along with special guests. The newly devised drama under the direction of theatre lecturer Will Guppy, featured new songs which were composed by the group with music lecturer Dr Daithí Kearney.

Reflecting on the semester, director Will Guppy said:

"Watching the confidence grow in these students has been the highlight of my teaching semester. They've worked so hard; not only toward devising a heartfelt story and performing it but also putting production elements together - from set design to prop construction. They should all be very proud of themselves and their achievements this year."

The songs in the production were mostly written in class over a number of weeks and, in advance of the production, students participated in a recording session for some of their songs in the DkIT recording studio aided by students on the BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production programme, James Phelan and Sean Reilly. For the live performance, the students were joined by first year students on the BA (Hons) Music and Performance Technologies programme, Ruarí O Coileáin and Adrian Knazovicky.

The show highlighted the importance of empathy and understanding our emotions, bringing a heartwarming Christmas-story to life and communicating the thoughts of the students through drama and song. Programme Director for the Certificate John Reid said:

“I could see the participants familes and friends really enjoyed the performance as did we all.”

This Certificate in Skills in Independent Living is a 2-year part-time course is specifically developed for adults with intellectual disabilities with the aim that learners will develop a lifelong learning ethos with the promotion of inclusion to third level education. The purpose of this award is to enable the learners develop relevant knowledge and competence to be able to take his/her place in society.

Find out more about the course here