Theatre
WATCH Spotlight Stage School announces leadership transition as founders retire after 39 years of excellence
Spotlight Stage School Limerick celebrates its 40th anniversary. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
After 39 years of inspiring and shaping the lives of young performers, Spotlight Stage School founders Margaret Hough and Judy O’Connor are retiring and handing the reigns to Sadhbh McCoy
After 39 years of inspiring and shaping the lives of young performers, Spotlight Stage School founders Margaret Hough and Judy O’Connor are retiring, marking the end of an incredible era in the arts community in Limerick.
Under the guidance of Margaret and Judy, Spotlight has had a profound impact in fostering creativity, confidence, and a passion for the performing arts in generations of students. In the spirit of continuity, Margaret and Judy are excited to announce that Spotlight Stage School will continue its legacy under the leadership of former pupil Sadhbh McCoy.
This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the school, with Sadhbh at the helm, carrying forward the values and ethos that have defined Spotlight over the years. Sadhbh McCoy’s journey with Spotlight began at the age of five, where she attended classes until she was a teenager and developed her love for the arts.
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With Spotlight, she performed with Limerick Panto Society and in many other projects over the years, later returning as a Teaching Assistant. She holds a Diploma in Musical Theatre Performance from Trinity College London and a Grade 8 certification in Classical Singing from the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
During her time at Mary Immaculate College, Sadhbh directed several productions with the drama society MIDAS, including The Wedding Singer, Grease, and CATS. Following graduation, she worked with Lime Tree Theatre, coordinating the Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival and summer camps, while also performing with local groups such as Limerick Musical Society, Cecilian Musical Society, Shannon Musical Society, and College Players.
Notable roles include Lola in Copacabana, Marty in Grease (both with Cecilian Musical Society), and Poppy in Noises Off (College Players). In 2016, Sadhbh moved to London to work with Judy Craymer, the producer of MAMMA MIA! in the West End.
In this role, she worked in marketing and producing of the West End show and international tours, and on the film sequel MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again, a major career milestone. While in London, she was a member of the renowned choir, London Contemporary Voices. On returning to Limerick, Sadhbh took on the roles of Senior Marketing Executive and Associate Producer at Lime Tree Theatre and Belltable.
As Associate Producer, she has played a key role in establishing the Lime Tree Theatre’s professional pantomime, now a local Christmas tradition. Productions include Jack and the Beanstalk (2022), Aladdin and His Magic Lamp (2023), and Rapunzel (2024). Sadhbh also worked on the world premiere of Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party by Liam McCarthy at Belltable in 2024.
“I am proud and excited to continue the incredible legacy left by Margaret and Judy at Spotlight,” said Sadhbh McCoy.
“Spotlight has always been a place where young people can build confidence and discover their passion for the arts, just as it has done for me. I look forward to leading this wonderful school into a new chapter and continuing its success for many years to come.”
As Margaret and Judy prepare for their well-deserved retirement, they express deep gratitude to the many parents, students, and staff members who have supported Spotlight throughout the years.
“It has been an absolute joy to watch generations of young people grow in confidence, creativity, and talent. We are confident that under Sadhbh’s leadership, Spotlight will continue to thrive.”
Spotlight’s end-of-year show, Back to the Future, will take place on 17th and 18th May at the Lime Tree Theatre. This performance will not only celebrate the incredible talent of the students but also serve as a tribute to the legacy of Margaret and Judy. Enrolments for the September term will commence at the end of the summer, when the school will be celebrating the important milestone of 40 years of Spotlight Stage School.
Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
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