A Dundee teenager has bagged a prestigious spot in a new acting course in Edinburgh.
Seventeen-year old Kennedy Thomson was one of the first students to land a place on the new BA (Hons) Musical Theatre degree course at the MGA Academy of Performing Arts.
The St Paul’s RC Academy student will begin his full-time training in the capital in September and hopes to become a professional performer.
Kennedy impressed staff at the MGA Academy in an “intensive” audition and was delighted when he received a letter of acceptance days later.
The Dundee teenager, whose ambition is to perform in London’s West End or a touring production, said: “It was my first drama audition so I was scared, but everyone at the academy was so nice.
“A week later I got my acceptance letter. I was at school, so my mum phoned me and we were screaming at each other down the phone.
“I can’t wait to start training every day and I’m excited to be in Edinburgh.”
Last year, the MGA Academy became the first full-time professional training academy in Scotland to be awarded accreditation by the Council For Dance, Drama And Musical Theatre – the UK’s quality assurance and membership body for the performing industries.
Kennedy has been a member of Dundee Schools Music Theatre for five years, performing in productions of Guys And Dolls, Starlight Express and Phantom Of The Opera.
He said: “I got the post-show blues and wanted to do more. I saw an advert on Facebook for the academy and the reviews were great. I was on the fence but I’m so glad I went for it. Even the audition was a great experience and an opportunity to get feedback.”
Drew Gowland, co-founder and managing director of the MGA Academy, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Kennedy on to our inaugural BA (Hons) Musical Theatre degree course.
“Our training has allowed our graduates to build successful international careers on stage and screen and now they will also leave with a degree, enabling them to pursue professional teaching work and postgraduate-level study.”
This summer the academy will throw opens its doors for a week of complimentary classes, workshops and Q&A sessions in a bid to encourage more youths to consider careers in the performing arts. Taking place between July 23 and 27, it is free to attend.
