missorigan.com - About Me

My name is Jay Origan, and I am a post-primary teacher with a passion for both the performing arts and the dynamic world of geography. I hold a First Class Honours degree from Maynooth University and a Professional Masters in Education, alongside QQI-accredited qualifications in drama facilitation and leadership through Youth Theatre Ireland, and speech and drama training with the Leinster School of Music and Drama.

I’ve always been drawn to subjects that explore real-world issues—and that’s why I love geography. It’s a constantly evolving discipline, deeply connected to the world around us. I’m especially interested in how digital tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, and access to real-time data are transforming the way we teach and understand our planet.

Equally central to my teaching and personal life is my love of theatre. I’m an experienced performer, facilitator, and director, with directing credits including Chicago, Legally Blonde, and The Addams Family. On stage, I’ve played leading roles such as Mrs Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Chris (Calendar Girls), Mama Morton (Chicago), and Paulette (Legally Blonde). My work has been recognised nationally with AIMS awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (2019 & 2024), Best Comedienne (2024), and a nomination in 2023.

Before becoming a teacher, I worked in insurance, finance, and procurement, and I am a QFA-qualified financial advisor. One of my most unique roles was with the New Zealand Earthquake Commission—an experience that deepened my appreciation for the real-world application of geography, risk, and resilience.

Whether I’m directing a musical, facilitating a drama workshop, teaching about tectonic plates, or designing classroom resources, I bring creativity, energy, and curiosity to everything I do. I believe in the power of education and the arts to connect, inspire, and empower—and I’m proud to work at the intersection of both.

I’m especially delighted by the inclusion of exciting new material in the Junior Cycle English programme—Hamilton and Conor McPherson’s Girl from the North Country are firm favourites, and you’ll often find me in my classroom with the soundtrack playing in the background. I’m also thrilled about the upcoming Leaving Certificate course in Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and I look forward to teaching it from September 2026.

I care deeply about creating learning spaces where students feel encouraged to express themselves, take creative risks, and grow in confidence, and I value being part of a school community that truly celebrates the arts.

If you want to get in touch, please pop me an email j.origan@shstullamore.ie

Chris in Calendar Girls The Musical (Bravo Theatre Group) - 2024 - WINNER Aims Best Actress in a Supporting Role

"Jay Origan, brought a wealth of wonderful comedic ability to the role of Chris, and while she made us laugh so heartily throughout, it was often the more emotional scenes of her performance that showed her true range as a performer. As a stalwart friend to Annie, as a caring and concerned mother to Danny, and as the catalyst for the Calendar campaign, she ran the full gamut of emotions with a comfort and ease that were remarkable. With good vocal ability to bolster her acting and comedy, this was a quite brilliant overall performance."

Peter Kennedy (Aims Adjudicator 2024)

Chris in Calendar Girls The Musical - 2024 - Winner Aims Best Comedienne

"Jay Origan played the part of Chris. Jay's character in this production, which she made of it and brought to it, was nothing short of exceptional. Ms Origan brought a remarkable wit, infectious fun, and fantastic comedic timing to the role, captivating the audience with her vibrant and passionate portrayal of a character deeply devoted to her village and friends time and time again. Her performance was a true standout, as she skilfully balanced the character's humour with genuine emotion.

Her performance radiated with wit, charm, and magnetic energy that captivated the audience when she stepped onto the stage. Ms Origan brought an unparalleled sense of fun and light-heartedness to the character, infusing each scene with her fantastic comedic timing and a genuine passion for her village and friends. Her portrayal of Chris was a masterclass in comedic delivery, effortlessly drawing out laughter

from the audience with her quick wit and infectious humour. Ms. Origan's command of the stage, with her presence and comedic prowess, was genuinely remarkable, making Chris a standout character in every scene she graced. "

Caroline Daly Jones (Aims Adjudicator 2024)

Player 1 - Michael Collins A Musical Drama - 2023

"Jay Origan as Player 1/ Bridget. Ms Origan played the 'Irish Mammy Bridget in 'Kathleen Ni Houlihan' and Player 1 in the Greek Chorus. She had good presence and was excellent in the Treaty Debates scene. She sang well with the other players too and was powerful when she fired the rifle at the images, this was superbly theatrical."

Tony McCleane-Fay (Aims Adjudicator 2023)

Alice Beineke - The Addams Family - 2022 - Nominated Aims Best Comedienne

"Jay Origan, who I also remember from Shrek, gave an equally inspiring portrayal of Alice, who shows her true colours even earlier than her husband and gets so zany she becomes weird, more so than any of the Addams family. This is a wonderful role, but only if you're a good enough actor to fully live this character. This lady definitely does that, and in spades. Her facial expressions, her physicality and her strong clear voice (singing and spoken), added to her comic timing, range of emotions and big personality made this an unforgettable role."

Alan Haslett (Aims Adjudicator 2022)

Paulette - Legally Blonde The Musical - 2020

"In a last-ditch attempt to win Warner's heart back, Elle went to a hair salon, Hair Affair, to go brunette. Here she met Paulette Buonofuonte, the funny owner. Paulette was played with great comic timing by Jay Origan, who had an incredible range of emotional facial expressions and a superb range in her singing. Her performance of "Ireland" and the reprise was excellent."

Tony McCleane-Fay (Aims Adjudicator 2020)

Mama Morton - Chicago - 2019 - WINNER Aims Best Actress in a Supporting Role

"Jay Origan played Mama Morton as a predatory letch, very high status, reveling in her corruption. Her singing was first-rate. On “When You’re Good to Mama”, she was quite creepy and carnivorous, voracious for money and whatever else she could squeeze out of ‘her girls’. Her duet with Velma, “Class” was quite ironic, given she was such a rapacious character. Ms. Origan’s portrayal of Morton was a superb characterisation, funny, sinister and a joy to watch."

Tony McCleane-Fay (Aims Adjudicator 2019)

Mrs Lovett - Sweeney Todd - 2017

"Jay Origan, as Mrs Lovett, was superb, not just with an amazing vocal clarity and a masterful control of the complicated lyrics and rhythms, but her facial expressions were an extraordinarily powerful extension of her mood and tone. Her playfulness was infectious, her vulgarity was palpable, and when confronted by danger, you could see terror in her eyes. A remarkably fine performance."

Peter Kennedy (Aims Adjudicator 2017)

Felicia - The Witches of Eastwick - 2016

"The power and control in her voice that Ms Origan delivered was spectacular. Her song “evil” was sung with raucous passion, superb diction, wonderful inflection and perfect intonation. She absolutely committed to her singing performance and it was wonderful. Congratulations."

Gred Currid (Aims Adjudicator 2016)