Meet the Team
Rob Murphy
Director
Rob Murphy is a First-Class Honours graduate of the MA in Theatre Practice at University College Dublin and the Gaiety School of Acting. His diverse career spans theatre, comedy, and cabaret, with notable performances including the premiere of the one-man play 69 Shades of Gay at Smock Alley Theatre (Zac Productions), the role of the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz at The Helix, and Panto Dame Celia in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Olympia Theatre (Spotlight Productions). In 2022, he headlined and sold out his original comedy cabaret Rob Murphy Let Loose at Dublin’s iconic Vicar Street. Rob is best known for his beloved role as “Buffy” the Panto Dame, returning for his 14th consecutive year this festive season in Cinderella at the National Stadium (formerly Tivoli Theatre). A regular presence across Irish media, he features on top radio and TV shows during the Christmas season and is a weekly contributor to Breakfast with Aidan and Venetia on Dublin’s Q102. Rob is also an Associate Artist at the Civic Theatre, where he collaborates on a range of creative projects annually.
As Artistic Director of Rob Murphy Productions, he oversees the creation of annual family pantomimes and theatrical productions. In 2023, he wrote and directed Mary Byrne: Check Me Out, which toured nationally before concluding with a successful run at Dublin’s iconic Olympia Theatre.
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Rob founded Dramatic Action Stage School in 2007 and in 2018 won ‘‘Best School Director’ at the All-Ireland Dance Awards. His vision for Dramatic Action is to provide exceptional training in the performing arts for young people, while also fostering an environment rooted in inclusion and diversity a space where every young person feels empowered to be exactly who they are.
Elaine Gallagher
Drama & Singing Tutor
Elaine Gallagher is a performer and theatre practitioner with nearly two decades of experience as a drama and singing teacher, director and musical director.
Since 2018, she has held the positions of musical director and assistant director for the professional pantomime at the Civic Theatre in Dublin. She graduated from the Bull Alley Theatre Training Company in 2006, completing a comprehensive four-year full-time program. Currently, Elaine is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Theatre Practice at University College Dublin.
Sarah Harvey
Dance Tutor
Sarah trained in dance at Sallynoggin College of Further Education and earned a diploma in Musical Theatre Performance from the London College of Music while attending Westside Stage School. She furthered her training on scholarship at North London Dance Studio and studied voice through ABRSM under Karen McDonald.
Her performance credits include appearances at the Gaiety, the Olympia, the Helix, and Cork Opera House, as well as roles in Whiskey in the Jar and The Promise at the Helix. In 2013, she was lead vocalist in Wilde Nights aboard the Oscar Wilde with Irish Ferries and later joined Palmerstown House Hotel’s Christmas Cabaret as a singer/dancer.
In 2015, she performed as lead vocalist on the Seabourn Quest during a world cruise, visiting over 20 countries. Her film credits include a featured dancer role in Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie.
Since 2005, Sarah has taught performing arts extensively across Dublin. Sarah is a regular face in the five star Civic Panto at the Civic Theatre playing roles from the funny fairy to the baddie and receives rave reviews for her performance each season.
Keith Kelly
Dance Tutor
Keith is a professional performer, choreographer and director from Dublin. Keith graduated from The College of Dance with a Diploma in dance before attending CPA Studios, London, where he graduated with a Trinity Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre.
Keith is currently undertaking a MA in Theatre practice with UCD and the Gaiety School of Acting.
Keith has worked across Ireland, the UK & Europe and most recently directed and choreographed shows for Scouting Ireland and Coolmine Musical Society.
Keith was dance captain in The Stadium Panto, ‘Beauty and the Beast, a Sammy and Buffy Adventure’ at the National Stadium where he has worked for 14 years. Keith also recently directed ‘Robinson Crusoe’ with Dundalk Musical Society in January 2025. Keith is also currently teaching Dance classes at Dramatic Action and Spotlight Theatre Group.
Kyra Clifford
Drama & Singing Tutor
Kyra has recently graduated from Bull Alley Theatre Training Company and holds a ATCL from Trinity Guildhall, London.
Kyra’s love for theatre and performance started when she was very young following in the footsteps of her Grandad who was in Vegas show bands back in the 70s. She has been involved in the industry since she was 4 years old and participated in many types of dance such as Latin and Ballroom along with being in stage schools throughout her life.
Kyra has been involved in the Civic Theatre summer camp for six years playing roles such as Rizzo in ‘Grease’, Sharpay in ‘High School Musical’ and Ms.Honey in ‘Revolting Kidz The Musical’ based on Matilda. In October 2018, Kyra went to Trabolgan with Spotlight Theatre group and took part in ‘The All Ireland Variety Showdown’ where they won ‘Best Overall Show’ along with many awards for production and show content. She also played lead roles in her school musicals and was involved in the Causeway Pantos for many years.
Kyra is a drama and singing teacher with Dramatic Action Stage School and Spotlight Theatre Group. She also works extensively as a stage manager and workshop facilitator. She is also drama tutor for the highly successful Civic Theatre Summer Camp.
Pauline Looney
Administration
Pauline and Rob first met many moons ago in Spotlight Theatre Group where Pauline volunteered for many years.
A passionate advocate for the arts Pauline believes that theatre provides an incredible outlet for creativity, confidence, and connection especially for young people. With a background in both performance and administration, she brings warmth, energy, and a deep love of the stage to everything she does. Whether she’s helping behind the scenes or cheering from the front row,
Pauline is a proud supporter of the next generation of performers and is thrilled to be part of the Dramatic Action family. Pauline is the beating heart of Dramatic Action and goes above and beyond the call of duty - we would be lost without her.
Abbie Finn
Head Teaching Assistant & Tots Teacher
For over 13 years, Abbie has been a dedicated student at Dramatic Action Stage School.
Abbie has just completed her professional training at the prestigious College Of Dance. For the past five years, she has served as a teaching assistant in our weekly classes in Palmerstown, Crumlin, Maynooth, and Finglas, a role she loves.
Last year, Abbie has also begun teaching tots classes within the school and she will expand this role further in September. Abbie has performed lead roles in various productions at notable venues such as the Civic Theatre and the Tivoli Theatre. She has been cast as a principal dancer in numerous stage shows and musicals in professional productions across Dublin.
Jessica Coules
Co Head Teaching Assistant
Jessica began dancing with Dance Force Academy when she was just 3 years old and was trained in a variety of different dance styles. When she was 14 she joined Dramatic Action stage school were she was trained in Musical Theatre and has been involved in all of their end of year shows since.
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Jessica has helped as teaching assistant in Dramatic Action over the past two years and will expand this role further in September. Jessica also has a dear passion for singing, she has had one to one singing lessons with Lauren Fowler School of Music where she obtained a Distiction in Grade 5 Music Theatre Exams with the University of West London.
Jessica also has been trained privately in Drama by the Rob Murphy and received a Certificate of Merit grade 6 first class Honours with the Irish board of Speach & Drama.
Jessica has been part of the ensemble for multiple pantomines with the Civic Theatre. Jessica loves working with young children and teens and is currently entering her 3rd year in primary school teaching in Maynooth University.
Laura Norton
Dance Tutor
Laura has been performing since the age of 3 years old she has been competing in dance aroundEurope since the age of 9 and has performed in the UK tour production of Evita and The King and I.
She has also grew up performing as a dancer in the national stadium panto for 9 years . Laura has been choreographing for dance schools all around Dublin the past 5 years and absolutely adores her job and getting to share her love for dance everyday.