Warrenpoint film producer Chloe set to open Powerscourt Academy in Burren

Chloe and her dad Stephen Gibson run Powerscourt Pictures, a global entertainment production company, based in County Down, that develops and produces high-end family feature films and TV productions.

Most recently they have completed the feature film, ‘Faraway Home’, based on the novel of the same name, which is a story of two young Jewish children, sent by their parents away from Nazi occupied Austria during World War Two, on the Kindertransport, where they end up at a Jewish refugee farm in Northern Ireland.

‘Faraway Home’ recently premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh and it will have a US festival screening at the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival next month in California, as well as at the Belfast Film Festival.

Chloe studied Musical Theatre and Acting for Film in England and has been directing and teaching in various theatre schools for the past 10 years, including the renowned Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, in which she coordinated and directed youth theatre programmes and shows.

Chloe knows the importance of youth theatre for young people and had opportunities, such as performing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘The Beautiful Game’ in London’s West End with National Youth Musical Theatre, aged 17. After having her son, Brody, Chloe moved back to Northern Ireland and wanted to bring her professional experience and her experience of being a new mum to local young people.

Chloe has set out to offer as much as possible to young people in the area and hopes to grow classes and Powerscourt’s offering to suit local needs and support young people access to the industry.

Whether that be a job interview, lawyer, teacher, performer, doctor etc, the arts, she says, helps young people develop the confidence they need to thrive in life or the industry.

Among the programmes being offered by Chloe are:

The Rhythm Room: Focusing on music, movement, sensory exploration and connection for babies and toddlers;

The Play Room: Using creative play, music and movement for toddlers and pre-schoolers;

Junior, Intermediate and Senior Academies: Teaching drama, musical theatre, stagecraft, and filmmaking. Because of its film background, students learn both in front of and behind the camera (including writing, directing and production);

Young people will be given opportunities for large performances, festivals, auditions and to be represented by Chloe herself in the industry, if they wish to do so.

It is fantastic opportunity for local young people to access the arts, she said. The academy opened this week and runs on a term basis. People can find more details at Powerscourt Performing Arts Academy on Facebook or powerscourt_academy on Instagram.

“I don’t want Powerscourt to be somewhere that young people feel they have to be the best singer, dancer, or actor in the room,” said Chloe.

“I want it to be somewhere they can walk through the door and know it’s a safe space to fail and fail until you succeed; make mistakes, try again and be a better performer for it. But they will also grow in confidence, socially, and find a love for theatre, film and arts.

“I was the shy child growing up in theatre and film sets, but I stuck at it and was given the space to find my voice. Some may go on to work in the industry and some won’t and that’s okay.”