Andrea Crowe is 'just so grateful' to be cast as Longford's Dorothy Gale for upcoming musical

'There’s no place like home.'

There is no place like performing in one’s home county for one of the best musical events on the Longford calendar. The star of the upcoming St Mel’s Musical Society’s The Wizard of Oz is Andrea Crowe–a natural-born singer and musician who currently works as an SNA.

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Andrea is from Drumlish, a small village in the north of Longford, and attended Moyne Community School, where she studied music for both her Junior Certificate (taken in 2017) and Leaving Certificate, which she achieved in 2019. A student who sang with her guitar, even taking part in the school’s Christmas concert in the library, Andrea is making her big comeback into the music scene, having not explored it since leaving school. Yet, her return has come with a twist–she is coordinating her music talents with a newfound love of acting.

In advance to the musical which takes place between April 7-11, Andrea was invited to speak with the ‘Longford Leader’ about her experience up on stage, how she is feeling about the performance, and how she has found reuniting with music.

“I grew up in a very musical household,” she said. “Both of my parents are musicians. My dad is one and my mum is a singer. My dad has been in wedding bands since a teenager and my mum would sing for weddings, funerals.

“You can’t escape music in my house. I learnt to play the guitar at a young age; my cousin taught me, I thought I was too cool for my dad. I’ve been singing forever. I don’t remember a time when I wasn't! That’s how I got into it.”

While in school, Andrea was with the choir and says that she always enjoyed performing for people. Yet, upon reflection, she acknowledged how, for her, it was easier in front of large groups than smaller ones. In front of friends and family, there would be some anxiety, but as Andrea summarised, it was something that she always enjoyed and, since joining the musical, fun to get back into.

As one of the school grads to be shortly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Andrea’s decisions to continue with music took an unexpected hiatus.

“I haven’t done much since I left school,” Andrea reflected. “I was actually planning on studying music but Covid put a stop to that and I decided not to go. I work as an SNA in a primary school. Music was kind of, especially during Covid, stopped for a little bit. Not much effort; put on the backburner. I never performed much. It’s not something I wanted to do but I didn’t know how to go about it or where to start.”

With a rewarding career in the SNA industry, 2026 will be her big comeback. She admitted to being a music theatre ‘nerd’ growing up, giving her the ongoing desire to want to be a part of one someday. The Wizard of Oz was the right time and place for her to give it a go, but Andrea has personal and sentimental memories around that film. Growing up, she watched it a lot with her granddad on VHS, who had many musicals, yet these memories led to the film being special in her life.

“When I saw it was the musical they (St Mel’s) were doing, it felt like the right time. I don’t know why that is, but it made me want to go for it. I think it is something I wanted to do but I didn’t know if I could or I’d be able to do it. It’s been really fun experiencing that for the first time.”

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During September, 2025, the Longford society began its staggered call-out through visually appealing posters via their social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, and registrations opened with a form link. At this point during the auditions process, main roles were given to those over 16-years-old, and they welcomed theatre veterans or first timers to join the friendly society. On Sunday, October 5, 2025, St Mel’s Musical Society began the auditions for its main roles. A cast reveal took place on October 19, 2025, where it was publicised that Andrea had taken on the starring role of Dorothy Gale.

This success was a result of hard work and self-belief. Andrea had never done an audition of this kind before. Music was a long-term dedication, but performances had been scarce for her since 2019. When asked about the audition process, Andrea described how emotions fluctuated between initial nerves to pride when walking out.

“I suppose I didn’t know what to expect. I’d never done it before. I was very nervous. I just had to go in, sing, say a little bit of lines and it was actually fine. Once I went in, it wasn’t as scary as I was making it out to be! When I came out of the audition, I was so proud. I didn’t care if I got it or not. It wasn’t long after until I got a callback for another audition with some of the cast. I ended up getting it. It was a fun process. I found it very fun; the callbacks were a fun process. It was nerve wracking as it was my first time auditioning for anything but I was happy.

“It’s one of those things when I was a small girl, you know. I always wondered what it would be like to be Dorothy and that role. It was very fulfilling for me. I’m very happy. I was shocked, to be honest. I wasn’t expecting that at all. And I’m just so grateful for the opportunity to get to play her.”

Weeks are closing in on the performance nights. As of the present, the society is rehearsing three-to-four times a week, depending on the week. Although intensely fitting them in, Andrea could not stop complimenting her cast and crew, calling them ‘fantastic’ individuals for bringing so much fun and commitment to the show.

“It takes so many parts for a show to get it going. Everybody is so committed. Everyone is so glad and happy to be there. It doesn’t feel like work but it is work at the same time.

“The cast that I’m working with are so amazing and talented. I’ve made some lifelong friends through this process. I’m so happy to get to work with them, to be part of a lovely community. This is my first time going for something like this.

Everybody has been so warm and welcoming and it’s been such a lovely thing to be a part of. That’s been the thing that’s brought me the most joy.”

Between these rehearsals, varying from acting to working with the amazing musical director, Fintan Farrelly, to perfect their songs, Andrea makes time for more practice in her spare time. While training up, there was a surprising challenge:

“I’ve lost my voice a fair few times! I’m still getting used to using my voice in that way. It’s a lot of diaIogue. I didn’t realise how much the lines took out of you other than the singing. That’s definitely been the most challenging part, taking care of my voice. I’ve found strategies to be kind to my voice.”

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Andrea could not deny that she has the acting bug now. Grateful for the present, she has learnt more about herself, and the future has many doors open to her. As for the show itself:

“It’s going to be such a fun, energetic show. It’s for all ages, very nostalgic, very colourful. I think it’s going to be a great show and if you can see it, you definitely should. It's shaping up to be a great show already!

“I’d love to say how great the cast and crew of the society are. They’ve been so incredible and they’re a really talented bunch and deserve the recognition. They put so much work into a show. Everyone works together and is so committed. I want to give them another mention because they’re brilliant.”

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The eagerly awaited 'Wizard of Oz' takes place in St Mel's College Sports Hall from April 7-11. Book now on the GR8 Events website.

Get your tickets here: https://www.gr8events.ie/sales/index.php?event=2425