Apply for a course at The MGA Academy of Performing Arts and be part of something extraordinary!
Final auditions for our full-time professional training courses will take place in Edinburgh on Sunday, 6th August.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of MGA history and be among the first students to audition at our new campus.
See below for information about all our course levels and apply today!
Our lucky Musical Theatre and Dance students were treated to an unforgettable experience as performers from Strictly Ballroom: The Musical took a break from touring and brought the glitz and glamour of ballroom dancing to life The MGA Academy of Performing Arts last week!
Kevin Clifton, BBC Strictly Come Dancing star, along with cast members Poppy Blackledge and MGA’s very own Musical Theatre graduate Kieran Cooper led an exclusive and energetic samba masterclass. It was a fantastic opportunity for MGA students to engage and learn from renowned professionals who shared techniques, knowledge, and valuable insights into the audition process.
Kevin said: “I loved being at MGA because we weren’t just trying to teach a bit of dancing and the technique behind it but also show the students the audition process. For our show, it takes a lot of letting go in terms of everyone’s inhibitions and really going for it in the room. I feel everyone really committed to it which was really lovely to see.
“To be honest at that age I probably wouldn’t have committed to letting go like that, so it was
really great to see and it’s been great to spend time with such a talented bunch.”
Our students had the privilege of learning from Poppy, a talented performer and integral part of the Strictly Ballroom: The Musical cast, and were delighted to welcome back BA (Hons) Musical Theatre graduate Kieran. Kieran’s journey to performing in such a prestigious production showcases where the exceptional training and opportunities provided by MGA can lead!
Kieran said: “I started MGA in 2013 to study the Musical theatre course, graduating in 2016. I really enjoyed my time there, mainly because everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I had never sung or danced before but everyone was just so encouraging, looking back I can honestly say they were some of the best years of my life.
“It was great to bring Kevin and Poppy from Strictly Ballroom along and we did a little samba routine from the beginning of the show, and everyone was amazing. I knew the talent level at MGA is high, but we were shocked at just how good the students were today. Everyone was amazing and it’s been great fun.”
Current MGA Musical Theatre student Reece Hannah said: “It was a truly incredible experience to have Kevin, Poppy, and Kieran here at MGA. Learning from industry professionals and seeing Kieran’s journey from MGA to performing in this production was truly inspiring. It has motivated me to pursue my dreams with even greater passion and determination.”
This visit reinforces MGA’s reputation as a leading institution for Performing Arts education that provides a platform for aspiring performers to remain in Scotland while studying at a level equivalent to prestigious London colleges. This year we move headquarters to a dedicated 30,000 square foot campus in Livingston, allowing us to triple our student intake and expand our educational programme, offering even more opportunity for students to start their professional journeys.
MGA is delighted to offer for the first time a special weekend dedicated to anyone interested in professional training in acting.
This workshop will offer an insight into the BA (Hons) Acting course offered by the MGA Academy of Performing Arts and will primarily focus upon the development of a professional acting skillset both for screen and stage. The course will be led by members of the MGA Academy Acting Faculty from the BA (Hons) Acting programmes with participants also receiving the chance to undertake a mock audition over the course of the weekend.
The workshop takes place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th April from 10am – 4.30pm each day at our Balgreen Road Campus in Edinburgh. Registration is open now and places are strictly limited to apply soon!
Find out more details on our workshop page here and then click to register for your free place to join us!
The MGA Academy of Performing Arts to welcome prospective students on campus for open day events this February.
We will be opening our doors on Wednesday 8th (Acting/Dance) and Thursday 9th February (Musical Theatre) for another series of Open Days. These events are a fantastic opportunity to engage with lecturers, staff, and current students to find out more about the excellent opportunities MGA can offer those looking to pursue a professional career in performing arts.
Visitors will be able to observe some classes, chat with students and find out more about the world-class team of lecturers within our Acting, Musical Theatre and Dance faculties.
Picking a course is one of the most important decisions to make if you are hoping to achieve a professional career in Performing Arts. The MGA Academy of Performing Arts offers the perfect mix of training, performance opportunities, expert tuition and cutting-edge career development tools, alongside a fabulous student community and social calendar. With MGA set to move to a new 30,000 sq ft campus in West Lothian later this year, there really has never been a better time to find out how we can set you on the pathway to a successful career in an increasingly competitive industry!
With unrivalled access to professional industries, MGA offers unparalleled training opportunities for young performers. Our Academic Director Marcella Macdonald says:
There has never been a better time to come and train at MGA. We are moving to a brand-new home and are on the brink of launching new and exciting courses that will allow our students to really develop themselves as intelligent, versatile and outstanding performers. The Open Day gives you an opportunity to really get to know us as a college, meet the staff and students and see the fantastic training that we provide.
So whether you want to know more about Musical Theatre, Acting and Dance courses or are ready to apply and want to get a feel for the college, this is the perfect opportunity to find out what MGA’s vocational performing arts training is all about.
The whole team at the MGA Academy of Performing Arts wishes you a very merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!
We’ve got lots of exciting news to bring in 2023 and we can’t wait to bring more training opportunities in the Performing Arts to Edinburgh!
We will be welcoming another new intake in September to our Full-time programmes – will you be part of it…? If you would like to apply for professional training starting in September 2023 then our application forms are open through the year.
Wonderful and warmest wishes for this festive season – see you in 2023!
We are delighted to announce that star of Six! The Musical UK Tour and MGA alum Caitlin Tipping will be returning to the MGA Academy THIS SUMMER, to lead our Musical Theatre Summer School!
Fresh off the UK Tour as Jane Seymour, Caitlin will lead us through an incredible week of Musical Theatre workshops themed around Six! The Musical for anyone aged from 7 to 15.
Come along to meet Caitlin and learn to unleash your inner Queen! Find out what it’s like to perform on a professional stage, and work towards a performance based around Six! for friends and family at the end of the workshop week. Caitlin can’t wait to meet and work with you all!
The course runs during school summer holiday, Monday 1st August to Friday 5th August 2022
For more information and to book your spot now, click here «
Our Full-Time School Summer productions featuring graduating classes in Acting, Musical Theatre and Dance are on the way and tickets are still available! Book your tickets now at The Theatre Store.com!
We are thrilled to be welcoming some wonderful visiting Artists from across the Industry to create four fabulous shows with our Acting, Musical Theatre and Dance class of ’22.
Our Acting graduates will be performing two plays during 15th – 18th June at the Rose Theatre, THE LIGHTS written by Howard Korder and directed by Samantha Robinson, and THE SWEET SCIENCE OF BRUISING written by Joy Wilkinson and directed by MGA’s Head of Acting, Molly Innes.
Our Dance students perform their final production RISE UP directed by members of MGA’s Dance Faculty and directed by Head of Dance Lisa Cottrell at St Stephens over June 15th-18th. And our Musical Theatre students take to the stage for their final show, THE WEDDING SINGER, directed by Simon Greiff, at the Rose Theatre from June 22nd-25th.
Click below for more details of productions. We look forward to welcoming you all back for more theatre!
The last few weeks have been all go here at MGA! We stepped into February with Industry Week, where our Third Year BA (Hons) students have the opportunity to meet some amazing professionals from the Performing Arts industry for valuable professional development, Q&A sessions and audition experience as a way to prepare for their next steps as graduates.
The week kicked off with Q&As for our Musical Theatre Third Years with West End and Broadway star Rachel Tucker and Casting Director Laura Donnelly for our Actors and it was non-stop from there! A huge thank you to all our visitors, both in person and online, who came to share their Industry knowledge and experiences with our Acting, Musical Theatre and Dance students: artists, directors, agencies, choreographers and casting directors. (For a full run down, check out our Instagram.)
Industry week provides opportunity for our graduating year students to focus on preparation for life after training, including compiling CVs and portfolios and preparing for showcases and showreel filming.
On Tuesday 8th of March our Musical Theatre graduating class will present a Showcase at the Arts Theatre in the heart of London’s West End. The invitation to attend is open to all industry professionals and agents – if you are interested in joining us for the day, but have not yet confirmed, please contact us at showcase@themgaacademy.com, we’d be delighted to have you there. This project is an opportunity for our students to perform for industry professionals and agents, ahead of graduating, with an aim to secure representation after training.
Meanwhile our Acting and Dance students have been hard at work rehearsing for recording of their showreels, and this week have been in front of the camera with our good friends at Nexus Digital Media. This process offers our graduating class the opportunity to work with a professional film team in various locations and venues to shoot and collate footage for their own independent professional showreels.
You can see behind the scenes action and some Student Takeovers from these shoots over on Instagram, and follow all our students’ showcase journeys there.
Our graduating students from Acting, Musical Theatre and Dance degree courses will be appearing on our Class of 2022 page.
As 2021 draws to an end, why not choose MGA as your destination for 2022!
MGA is now in Phase 3 of auditions for entry in September 2022. Apply now!
This phase ends on Sunday 27th March 2022. Apply to audition, either online or in person in Edinburgh – whichever suits you better – and you could be joining the next group of talented performers to start a Degree or Foundation Course in Acting, Singing or Dance and taking your first steps to that dream career in Performing Arts…
If you are looking for vocational training with incredible links to the professional industry, entry into The Spotlight UK Casting Directory, your Equity Card and internationally-recognised qualifications – we have all of that waiting for you. The MGA Academy of Performing Arts is Scotland’s ONLY CDMT-accredited school.
Take a look through all our course information on the Full-Time Course pages and apply now!
We are delighted to welcome a brand new Head of School of Dance to our Faculty this academic year, the outstanding and multi-talented Lisa Cottrell.
Lisa is a highly experienced theatre practitioner with advanced skills in dance techniques and diverse theatre knowledge. She has a BA (Hons) in Literary and Cultural Devices, as well as an MA in Dance Practices. Lisa’s passion for dance and all genres of the performing arts, is coupled with her commitment to excellence in the delivery of dance training to MGA’s future professionals.
As a choreographer and director she has worked extensively in theatre, the cruise industry and the corporate commercial sector, as well as working with the team at MGA on several occasions over the years. Previous teaching includes, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, Guildford School of Acting Conservatoire.
We are incredibly lucky to have Lisa join us, and we look forward to see the progress she will undoubtedly make with our School of Dance in the future!