The Gabriel Maher Memorial Cup
Since 2019, Stage Door & More has presented the Gabriel Maher Memorial Cup to our Student of the Year—an honour that celebrates not only exceptional talent and artistic growth, but the very heart and spirit of our school family.
Gabriel "Gabe" Maher, the beloved late husband of Stage Door & More founder Kathleen Lambe, dedicated the final 15 years of his life to championing our young performers before his passing on 10 July 2019. To generations of students, Gabe was far more than a teacher and staff member; he was a steadfast mentor, a warm guide, and a fatherly figure whose selfless encouragement gave every child the confidence to shine. His life was so deeply woven into the school that when he and Kathleen married, they held two separate wedding celebrations—a formal ceremony for family, and a second dedicated entirely to the students. It was the ultimate testament to his devotion to Kathleen and his love for the stage family that meant the world to her.
Following his passing, the Gabriel Maher Memorial Cup was established to carry forward Gabe’s extraordinary legacy. Each year, it honours a student who embodies his warmth, resilience, and unwavering passion for the arts.
Student of the Year Roll of Honour
- 2026: Mila Gilsenan
- 2025: Robyn Rochford
- 2024: Jessica Gibson
- 2023: Callum Coogans
- 2021: Joseph Carter
- 2020: Abi McLoughlin
- 2019: Claire Mulligan
Join the family behind the cup.
Weekly classes, camps and workshops for ages 3 and up — new students always get a trial class.
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