A cross-community theatre school in Co Tyrone has bid farewell to its home in Omagh after 30 years.
Hazel Wand Theatre School has been on Bridge Street for the last three decades, but Monday saw director Leanne Daly pull the shutters down for the last time before the group’s move to the nearby Strule Arts Centre.
A Level and GCSE drama groups were the last classes delivered by Leanne and her team in the old premises.
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The move to the council-owned arts centre aims to enhance the facilities for the hundreds of children and adults who come to Hazel Wand.
The theatre school was founded by nun Sister Aengus Fitzpatrick in 1993.
Speaking to MyTyrone on the last day at the old premises, Leanne said it would be a bittersweet moment when locking up for the last time.
“After the A Level class finishes we will be closing up shop tonight for the last time,” Leanne said.
“But we’re not moving too far and it’s a fabulous facility so it’s a good news story.
“We lost Sister Aengus back in 2017 so the building has always felt like it has a connection to her.
“Hazel Wand is not the building we are in, it’s the community that she created.
“We have seven members of staff and every one of them went here as children.
“It’s like one of those places you apparently don’t get to leave.
“It’s making sure that it [the new premises] feel like home and I’m sure it will when we are over there. The kids are all very excited."
Leanne herself joined the school in 1995 and has been there ever since, first as a student and then as a teacher and director.
“I joined Hazel Wand in 1995 as a child and came right up through the ranks,” she added.
“The rest was really history there, from a child I’ve never really left the building.
“It is for the benefit of the bigger space and better space, so the feeling is sad but it’s also for the best.”
Video: Harry Bateman
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