The Show Must Go On! The Ark teams up with RTÉ After School Hub

This Christmas period will be a little different and some of us might not be able to put on our usual school plays. But never fear! We're teaming up with RTÉ's After School Hub to make sure that no matter what the next few weeks bring, the show still goes on. With the help of the After School Hub muinteoirí, Ark Artists will guide you through how to stage and perform your own play at home!

This Christmas is going to be different in many ways. Hopefully just as fun, but some things may not be possible. One that many families look forward to is seeing children performing in their Christmas play at school. That isn't likely to be possible this year but in the age old theatre tradition, the show must go on! So, The Ark has teamed up with RTÉ2's After School Hub to help children save the day and put on a play in their homes instead.

From 30 November - 4 December, After School Hub Múinteoirí Ray, Cliona, Emer and John will be joined each day by a different theatre professional who will guide children watching at home as to how to put on their very own play.

To help you get started, a wonderful, short wintery play has been specially written by playwright Mollie Molumby. You can download the script in English or Irish below.

Over the course of the week, director Shaun Dunne will explain what a director actually does and how to bring your own special touches to the play.

Never acted before? Not a problem, actor Jade Jordan will be there to share her tips on learning lines, performing in front of an audience and creating a character.

Award-winning composer Tom Lane will bring you into the wonderful world of soundscapes and show you how he decides what music and sounds will really enhance a play and how you can too.

Set designer Sarah Bacon will inspire you to find ways to turn your living room into your very own stage, while costume designer Saileóg O'Halloran gets you thinking about how you can create wonderful costumes at home.

Tune into RTÉ 2 each day at 3.20pm as, step by step, you start to prepare to put on your own play to share with your family and friends this winter.

Once you are ready to put on your Wintry Play at home, we would love to see it! If you would like to share your play, a grown-up can film it, upload it to rte.ie/learn and the team at After School Hub will try and show some clips on the programme.

Since 1995, we have been making and sharing great art for, by and about children. Now, please join us in celebrating our 25th birthday by supporting our #ARK25 Opportunities Fund to help us reach even more children from all backgrounds and ensure every child's right to art & culture.

The Ark's 25th birthday season is sponsored by BDO.