The evening marked the opening of The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television following renaming and opening of new campus
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television(The SI; formerly the MGA Academy of Performing Arts) unveiled its brand new Livingston campus last night at a red-carpet launch event celebrating the renaming of the school and new facilities for its students.
The launch party, held at The SI’s new state of the art facilities in Livingston, Scotland, marks a pivotal rebrand for the school with a name change, a new campus and new management from Ireland’s Silver Rock Studios.
The university is also now expanding its reach to international students for the first time as well as continuing to boost local Scottish talent, positioning Scotland as the go-to destination for success in the creative industries.
All guests, staff, and students were treated to an evening of performances, art installations, and a special performance of Dougie MacLean’s famous Caledonia from the school’s current students.
Alumni from The MGA Academy of Performing Arts, now known as The Scottish Institute, have gone on to success in film and television including playing leading roles in BBC’s Gossip Girl and major West End shows such as The Book of Mormon, Wicked and Six!.
Under its new management from Ireland’s Silver Rock Studios, and with new President and CEO Andy Egan, future students will be guaranteed credits as part of their degree, as part of The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television’s plans to foster the stars of tomorrow.
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television (The SI) is today unveiled as the new name of Scotland’s leading arts education institution, and only CMDT-accredited school in Scotland, formerly known as the MGA Academy of Performing Arts.
The renaming comes from the institute’s new ownership from major Irish production studio, Silver Rock Studios. Leading with an official rebrand and relocation, its new commercial model aims to reflect the institute’s existing position as a leader in the global performing arts landscape, as well as its new global footprint.
The institute has transitioned to a larger campus in Livingston, with brand new state-of-the-art facilities and resources, which will be open to international students for the first time.
The new model incorporates world class training from some of the biggest names in the industry, alongside high-end sponsorships for industry-standard tech and equipment, which will solidify its offering of world-leading arts education for both local and global talent.
The school is now also able to guarantee students credits on their CV through Silver Rock Studios, and new partnerships with global companies will remove many of the financial barriers to high quality performing arts training for home-grown talent.
The restructure enables the academy to expand its foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses across the performing arts, and increase intake of both full-time and part-time students, with the capacity to triple the previous student enrolment.
The Scottish Institute will offer the highest quality of training from world-leading educators and faculty, reflecting its culture of nurturing inclusivity, equality and learning. As part of its new industry-leading facilities, the institute has opened the Howden Park Theatre, an innovative and fully equipped performance space with a 300-seater auditorium and rehearsal rooms to facilitate all student performances.
Having built a strong reputation as one of the foremost centres for performing arts education in the country, The Scottish Institute has secured funding from West Lothian Council, Creative Scotland, and Scottish Government Funding enabling it to expand and strengthen it’s offering to student.
The Scottish Institute will open the doors to its new campus with an official launch event on 25th of April 2024, featuring a selection of student performances and an all-star guest list.
As a leading vocational performing arts school, the launch of the new campus and title marks a transformative time for The Scottish Institute, demonstrating its commitment to exceptional, high-quality teaching and its dedication to paving the path for students’ successful entry into the performing arts, film and television industries.
President and CEO of The Scottish Institute, Andy Egan says: “It is an honour to introduce The Scottish Institute and open our brand-new campus to our wonderful students, staff and visitors.
“The institute is built on the academy’s reputation and our roots in Edinburgh. This pivotal expansion further marks our commitment to fostering an environment where creativity, learning, and profession development take centre stage.
“We are delighted to open our new campus to international students this year, and introduce our faculty of experienced and talented professors to new students.
“As we invite our students to our new, state-of-the-art Livingston campus we aspire to nurture a hub that champions creativity, entrepreneurship, and learning to inspire the next generation of talent.”
Top performing arts school opens doors to future stars
MGA Academy welcomes future talent to new home in West Lothian
ONE OF SCOTLAND’S leading performing arts schools is opening its doors to the public, encouraging future stars to remain in Scotland to study.
The MGA Academy of Performing Arts, Scotland’s only fully accredited performing art college, is holding its first open day at its new campus in West Lothian to showcase its state of the art facilities to those considering applying.
The next generation of stars will be welcomed to the new multi-million-pound building in Livingston on 16th November, giving potential students a chance to learn more about the wide range of courses available.
Marcella Macdonald, Principal of the Academy said: “We want to show people that MGA can provide a platform for aspiring performers to remain in Scotland while studying at a level equivalent to prestigious London colleges.
“With the new campus now located almost exactly halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow, we hope it will make studying here more accessible and convenient to more students.”
MGA recently made the transition to its West Lothian campus, allowing the school to triple its annual intake while increasing the number of courses it offers to 12 each year.
Marcella added: “We would welcome anyone who is considering a career in acting, dance or musical theatre to come along to see what we do and how, with our fantastic teaching faculty and wonderful resources, we can develop their creativity and set them up to thrive in the industry.
“Our experienced and knowledgeable teaching staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide tours of the campus where our current students will be performing and chatting to guests about their experiences.
“It’s a really great opportunity for those potential applicants to see all we can offer here at MGA”
The open day is a part of a series of outreach events the school plans to host at its new 30,000 sq ft campus, with an Industry teacher’s open evening, scheduled for October 11th with the aim of forging strong connections and lasting relationships with teachers across the country as part of the Academy’s commitment to nourishing Scottish talent here at home.
Any Expressive Arts teachers wishing to learn more or express interest in the industry event should , contact: admissions@themgaacademy.com
The MGA Academy is approved by the Scottish Qualifications Agency, the Imperial Society for the Teachers of Dance, and is Scotland’s only fully accredited college with the UK’s Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre.
To read more about the talented students at the MGA academy of Performing Arts, please visit their website here: The MGA Academy of Performing Arts
DEMO – TODAY – Tuesday 3 October at 12.00 Assemble – outside Scottish Parliament building
After abandoning plans for swingeing cuts to Scotland’s arts & culture industries in February this year, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has suddenly announced the Scottish Government will reimpose a 10% funding cut just weeks before the next round of funding awards.
The Scottish Government is putting thousands of jobs at risk with this cut of millions of pounds into the sector.
Fair work in the culture sector will be impossible in the face of this cut, and it is trade union members who will suffer the consequences of job losses, lower pay, and precarious work.
Join our demo to demand Deputy First Minister Shona Robison and Culture Secretary Angus Robertson reverse these cuts immediately.
Brand new multi-million pound campus in Livingston opens its doors
ONE of Scotland’s largest centres of performing arts is putting its best foot forward as it ushers in the new era of students with the opening of its brand new campus.
This expansion will enable the academy to triple its student enrolment and broaden its educational offerings to include 11 BA degrees and two post-graduate Master’s degrees, while also providing accommodations for 18 state-of-the-art studios.
The new campus, based in the former tax office in Almondvale, Livingston, received a multi-million pound investment and will feature one of Scotland’s largest sprung dance floor which spans 347 sq ft.
Established in 2015 to address a demand for an innovative performing arts academy outside of London, MGA has produced a wealth of talented graduates who have appeared on stage and screen in major productions, including Disney’s Descendants, Wicked, Gossip Girl, Six! The Musical, Outlander and Frozen.
Giles Auckland Lewis, Chief Executive of The MGA Academy, said: “It’s a very exciting time for the academy as we open the doors of our brand new campus. There has been a great buzz with new and returning students as they explore all the exceptional facilities.
“Being part of this chapter of the academy’s story has been incredibly rewarding, and as we’re now located almost exactly half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow it’s much more convenient for students and staff.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure the new campus can offer our talented students the opportunity to advance their skills in singing, dance and acting and achieve their full potential within the industry.”
Included in the new campus is seven rehearsal studios for acting and musical theatre, seven fully sprung dance studios, four singing rooms and a TV production suite. Other features include a student welfare and physiotherapy room, a learning resource centre and library, IT suites, study areas and a cafe and social areas, as well as 130 parking spaces.
The MGA Academy’s Balgreen campus will continue to be an integral part of the academy’s facilities, serving as a central hub for junior age groups.
Mr Auckland-Lewis added: “The new campus in Livingston is truly state of the art, we’re in a great position to continue to develop our reputation as a leading international competitor to the world’s most successful arts education institutions.
“The platform we’re providing for aspiring performers allows them to remain in Scotland while studying at a level equivalent to other prestigious UK colleges. We also now have the ability to attract even more students and world class tutors from across the world.”
The MGA Academy is approved by the Scottish Qualifications Agency, the Imperial Society for the Teachers of Dance, and is Scotland’s only fully accredited college with the UK’s Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre.
Learn more about The MGA Academy and how to enrol for courses here:
Brand new multi-million pound campus in Livingston opens its doors
ONE of Scotland’s largest centres of performing arts is putting its best foot forward as it ushers in the new era of students with the opening of its brand new campus.
The purpose-built 30,000 sq ft campus in Livingston will see MGA Academy of Performing Arts to triple its student intake to more than 500, extend its educational programme to 11 BA degrees, and two post-graduate Masters degrees, and house 18 state of the art studios.
The new campus based in the former tax office in Almondvale, Livingston, received a multi-million pound investment and will feature Scotland’s largest sprung dance floor which spans 347 sq ft.
Established in 2005 to address a demand for an innovative performing arts academy outside of London, has produced a wealth of talented graduates who have appeared in studios, on stage and on screen in major productions.
Giles Auckland Lewis, Chief Executive of The MGA Academy, said: “It’s a very exciting time for the academy as we open the doors of our brand new campus. There has been a great buzz with new and returning students as they explore all the exceptional facilities.
“Being part of this chapter of the academy’s story has been incredibly rewarding, and as we’re now located almost exactly half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow it’s much more convenient for students and staff.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure the new campus can offer our talented students to advance their skills in singing, dancing and acting and become the stars we know they are.”
Included in the new campus is seven rehearsal studios for acting and musical theatre, seven fully sprung dance studios, four singing rooms and a TV production suite. Other features include a student welfare and physiotherapy room, a learning resource centre and library, IT suites, study areas and a cafe and social areas, as well as 130 parking spaces.
The MGA Academy campus in Balgreen will remain part of the academy’s footprint becoming a hub for junior age groups.
Mr Auckland-Lewis added: “The new campus in Livingston is truly state of the art, we’re in a great position to continue to develop our reputation as a leading international competitor to the world’s most successful arts education institutions.
“The platform we’re providing for aspiring performers allows them to remain in Scotland while studying at a level equivalent to other prestigious UK colleges. We also now have the ability to attract even more students and world class tutors from across the world.”
The MGA Academy is approved by the Scottish Qualifications Agency, the Imperial Society for the Teachers of Dance, and is Scotland’s only fully accredited college with the UK’s Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre.
Graduates from The MGA Academy have gone on to star in West End and TV productions such as Gossip Girl, Wicked, Frozen the Musical and Shrek the Musical.
Learn more about The MGA Academy and how to enrol for courses here:
Kevin Clifton hits the dance floor at top Edinburgh performance school
LUCKY musical theatre and dance students were treated to an unforgettable experience as performers from Strictly Ballroom the Musical took a break from touring to host a samba masterclass.
Students from The MGA Academy of Performing Arts welcomed Kevin Clifton, BBC Strictly Come Dancing star, along with the talented Poppy Blackledge and MGA graduate Kieran Cooper who all shared their expertise and insights during an exclusive and energetic session.
This special visit provided a fantastic opportunity for students to engage and learn from renowned professionals helping inspire the next generation of talents through sharing techniques, knowledge, and valuable insights into the audition process.
Kevin Clifton, who featured in seven series of the hit BBC show, finally winning in 2018 with his now long-term partner, Stacey Dooley, 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.”
It’s an exciting time for the academy, as it is set to move its headquarters to Livingston in the coming months, to enable it to triple its student intake and broaden its educational offering to 11 BA degrees, two postgraduate Masters degrees and strengthen foundational courses that offer opportunities for aspiring performers.
Poppy Blackledge, a talented performer and integral part of the ‘Strictly Ballroom the Musical’ cast, also graced the MGA Academy with her presence. Students had the privilege of learning from her expertise and witnessing first hand the incredible skills that have earned her a place on the international stage.
The visit from MGA BA Hons Musical Theatre graduate Kieran Cooper created a sense of pride and inspiration within the student community.
Kieran’s journey from MGA Academy to performing in a prestigious production like ‘Strictly Ballroom the Musical‘ showcased the exceptional training and opportunities provided by MGA Academy.
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.”
The students were able to witness the magic of ‘Strictly Ballroom the Musical’ as they enjoyed the unforgettable performance based on Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed film. Directed by the famous Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood, this production brought the glitz and glamour of ballroom dancing to life, leaving an indelible impression on the aspiring performers.
Reece Hannah, a current musical theatre student at MGA Academy, shared her excitement about the visit, saying, “It was a truly incredible experience to have Kevin Clifton, Poppy Blackledge, and Kieran Cooper here at MGA Academy.
“Learning from industry professionals and seeing Kieran’s journey from MGA to performing in a West End production was truly inspiring. It has motivated me to pursue my dreams with even greater passion and determination.”
The visit from esteemed stars of ‘Strictly Ballroom the Musical’ further reinforces MGA Academy’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.
Founded in 2015 in Balgreen, West Edinburgh it will move its headquarters to a dedicated 30,000 square foot campus in Livingston, allowing it to triple its student intake and expand its educational programme.
To find out more about MGA Academy of Performing Arts, visit:
Scotland’s freshest performers tread the boards at top Edinburgh venues
GIFTED STUDENTS at one of Scotland’s leading performing arts schools will take to the stage in a captivating spring showcase to flaunt their singing, dancing and acting skills.
In a series of highly entertaining performances, The MGA Academy will be showcasing the graduating class of 2023 as they perform well known shows including Jekyll and Hyde, Little Women and Jerry’s Girls alongside a Triple Bill of fantastic choreography, promising an unforgettable experience for audiences.
The Academy firmly believes in the educational value of students performing in front of live audiences and it is an integral part of its philosophy to offer the chance to put students’ learned skills into practice within a professional setting.
Marcella Macdonald, Principal of The MGA Academy, said: “Live performance is at the heart of everything we do here at the MGA Academy so we encourage all musical and theatre lovers to come along to watch the fantastic performances in the flesh.
“It’s so important for our students to have the opportunity to showcase their talents and for their family, friends and the general public to enjoy the fruits of their labour, especially after a challenging few years for the industry.
“We’re hoping to see a great turn out from the general public and they snap up tickets for one or more performances to support our students, who are some of the most exciting and driven young performers in Scotland.”
The spring showcase series will kick off on Thursday, 4 May with a radical reimagination of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Jekyll and Hyde, which will see the BA Hons Acting Class of 2023 portray the clash between civilised Victorian London and seedy Soho in a story of scientific experimentation.
Directed by Becky Hope Palmer, performances of the Edinburgh-inspired tale will be held at Assembly Roxy on Thursday, 4 May at 7.30pm, Friday, 5 May at 7.30pm, and twice on Saturday, 6 May at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
For dance enthusiasts, a Triple Bill performance will be a showcasing of three exciting dance pieces devised by three different choreographers. While for those with a musical theatre interest can expect impressive performances of Little Women and Jerry Girls by MGA’s Musical Theatre cohort.
Marcella added: “The spring showcase is one of the school’s largest performance projects of the year and it really demonstrates the level of skills our aspiring performers have learned throughout their time with us – it is definitely not one to miss!”
The MGA Academy of Performing Arts was established in 2005 to provide a platform for aspiring performers to remain in Scotland while studying at a level equivalent to prestigious London colleges.
The performing arts school is Scotland’s only full accredited vocational college, holding Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Council of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) and Imperial Society for the Teachers of Dance (ISTD) certifications and also has a partnership with Bath Spa University to offer full-time degrees.
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29 May Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens
StagEHd is a two day festival of theatre, celebrating the performing arts in Edinburgh.
Born out of a conversation about the commercialisation of Edinburgh’s public spaces, StagEHd is an open access, free-to-attend festival of theatre, featuring the best of Edinburgh’s independent, grassroots and community theatre companies.
The festival began partly as a response to the closure of the city’s arts spaces during the 2020 pandemic, by EGTG (Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group) in collaboration with other community theatre companies in the city, as an opportunity to showcase homegrown talent to a local audience.
EQUITY has published a global scoping review of 111 academic studies related to mental health and wellbeing in students and professionals within the performing arts. This landmark study was commissioned by Equity and was launched alongside a new Mental Health Charter at a panel event to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
What’s a scoping review?
A scoping review is a type of research that aims to map the existing literature on a particular topic or research area and identify key concepts; gaps in the research; and types and sources of evidence to inform practice, policymaking, and research.
The review by Dr Lucie Clements found a clear trend for increased mental health concerns across the performing arts, although findings regarding the prevalence of mental health concern vary greatly.
Two academic papers showed depression to be twice as likely in performers than the general population – one in actors (Maxwell et al., 2015) and one in ballet dancers (Ravaldi et al., 2003).
Six percent of individuals are thought to be experiencing anxiety in any given week (McManus et al., 2016). In comparison, data for reporting anxiety symptoms includes 24% in dancers, 32% in opera singers (Thomson & Jaque, 2016b), 52% in acting students (Searl et al., 2019) 60% in actors (Brodsky, 2001), 90% of rock musicians (Raeburn, 1987).
54% of musical theatre students report a level of depression or anxiety that met the rate for diagnosis of mental disorder (Curtis, 2019).
The review identified a range of contributing factors:
A culture of unstable work, antisocial working hours, time away from home, and financial fears were the most discussed causes of stress and mental health concern in performing artists.
Many studies cited job precarity, including erratic and short employment, low pay, work over and underload, and time away from loved ones as having a significant impact.
Studies also identified that negative relationships with others in positions of power in the workplace, who were undemanding, unsupportive or authoritarian also created stress.
Many papers argued that education providers rarely provide sufficient support and students are predominantly underprepared in education for how to look after their psychological wellbeing once in the industry.
This is exacerbated by a lack of industry regulation of working conditions and mental health.
Another stark finding is that there is currently no research explicitly exploring mental health in relation to ethnically diverse performers, disabled performers, and social class.
In response to this study, our new Mental Health Charter has five key demands to improve mental health across the performing arts industry by bringing about deep-rooted structural reform.
This includes producers and engagers addressing the harmful impacts of precarious work by improving pay and work-life balance, and adopting relevant safeguards in the workplace, such as mental health risk assessments, safe spaces policies and consultation on organisational change.
Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming says:“This landmark study confirms in concrete terms what Equity members have known for years – those working in the entertainment and performing arts industries are more likely to experience poor mental health.
“There are a range of contributing factors, but it is abundantly clear that the harmful impacts of precarious work, low pay and poor working conditions are fuelling this collective crisis.
“Equity’s new Mental Health Charter puts the responsibility back on the bosses who control the creative industries. They show that our demands for improvements in pay, condition and access to the industry aren’t just about our members’ material wellbeing, but their mental health too.”
Alice Brockway, Director of Playing Sane and Equity Member says:“Equity’s new Mental Health Charter places its demands squarely on government, education providers, producers and engagers and, aligned with current collective bargaining aims, makes it clear that decent pay, safe, secure, inclusive work are vital for maintaining positive mental health and wellbeing.
“These demands are non-negotiable, as are the rights of Equity members, and all workers, to live with freedom from economic and social instability.”
About the research and launch
The research written by Dr Lucie Clements commenced on 21 January 2022 and was completed on 05 April 2022.
The research and charter was launched at a panel event chaired by Actor, writer, and well-being coach Abiola Ogunbiyi. Speakers include Dr. Lucie Clements and Juliette Burton, Comedian and Ambassador for Rethink Mental Health Illness.
The World Health Organization (2004) defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”.
In 2015, ArtsMinds, in collaboration with The Stage, Equity and Spotlight found that 46% of performing artists self-reported poor or average mental health. One in five of the 5,000 survey respondents was seeking help for their mental health.
The review identified a number of other factors related to mental health in the performing arts sectors. This includes:
Exposure to regular performance can exacerbate stress. This may stem from others’ opinions as well as from competition with and comparison to clothes.
Expectations to portray a range of emotions on stage may contribute to poor mental health (Pecen et al., 2018).
Actors are chronically exposed to topics such as suicide, grief, murder, and rape, which they are likely to take home after work (Burgoyne et al., 1999: Robb et al., 2018). The same may also be cause for concern in comedians (Hargrave, 2020).
COVID-19 and the associated changes in work, negative impact on finances and loss of performance opportunities have also impacted on mental health.
Producers and engagers must address the harmful impacts of precarious work by improving pay and improving work-life balance. This is central for enabling good mental health and maintaining healthy, safe workplaces.
Producers and engagers must adopt relevant safeguards in the workplace, such as mental health risk assessments, safe spaces policies and consultation on organisational change. Equal attention should be paid to the mental health needs of all performers and creative workers.
Producers and engagers must not exclude historically marginalized groups, such as ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ communities, from policies and practices designed for promoting safe, inclusive workplaces. These workers face multiplier effects of low pay, precarious work and discrimination upon their mental health and their welfare and rights should be championed.
Education providers must ensure that every young person undertaking education or training is inspired to expect dignity and respect in work. Young workers preparing to enter the industry should be encouraged to reject any form of abusive or discriminatory behaviour, and understand that doing so is intrinsic to maintaining good mental health.
The Government must invest in our mental health services to reverse a decade of underfunding and reform the outdated Mental Health Act.
In response to this study, Equity has announced that it will continue to fund access to counselling services for its members through its longstanding relationship with the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM).
