The hills of Fermanagh are alive with the sound of musical theatre as two of the county’s talented actors, Nadia Stenson and Ryan Moohan, have been offered places on the prestigious ‘One-Year Intensive Musical Theatre Program’ at the American Musical Theatre Academy.

Nadia and Ryan were amongst applicants from across the world, all competing for one of the 20 highly-sought after places.

“The audition was very different to any that I've been on before,” commented Nadia. “We had to learn off one monologue and prepare two contrasting musical theatre songs.”

Mastering a choreographed dance routine also formed part of their audition, an element which Ryan found most challenging. “The dance was difficult and my attempts didn't go swimmingly so I was already convinced that I had failed the audition.” This was not the case. After completing the intense audition process, Nadia and Ryan were offered highly-sought after places on the acclaimed course. They will start the course later this year at the American Musical Theatre Academy’s new college opening in Belfast. During their time on the course, they will have the opportunity to travel to London and New York to train with top industry professionals in the West End and Broadway.

“I am so excited to start learning about the business and what to expect when attempting to work professionally in this industry,” says Nadia about the musical theatre course. “I haven’t had any formal training in singing or dance, so they are the classes I am very excited to focus on.”

After finishing the one-year intensive course, both Nadia and Ryan are hoping to find professional work within musical theatre.

“The dream will always be West End or Broadway, but professional work with a company, regardless of location, is honestly all I’ve ever wanted and more than I could possibly hope for,” shares Ryan.

Both actors are no strangers to the Ardhowen stage, having starred in many musical theatre roles over the years as part of Fermanagh’s strong amateur dramatics scene. They are returning this week to perform in ‘Sister Act,’ a production by Fermanagh Musical Theatre.

“Sister Act is going very well!” says Ryan when asked about rehearsing for the upcoming show. “I'm delighted to be involved in such a great show- especially as it will likely be my last performance until the course is finished.”

Nadia will play Sister Mary Patrick, “the jolly boisterous character that just loves life and everyone in it” and Ryan is taking on the role of gangster Curtis Jackson, who he describes as “a cold, manipulative killer” who’s actions set the very plot of Sister Act into motion.

Sister Act will run from Wednesday, August 15 to Saturday, August 18 at the Ardhowen Theatre, so catch Nadia and Ryan there before you’ll have to pay big money to see them on the West End or Broadway!