Murray Grant Dip Dance & Musical Theatre

The MGA Academy of Performing Arts
Co Principal

Murray trained at the Bird College of Performing Arts, London.

Since graduating in 2001 has worked as a professional performer making his debut in The Merry Widow (USA Tour), and continuing his career in; Paris Can Can (World Tour), Jesus Christ Superstar (Austria), Elisabeth (Vienna, Austria), Miami Nights (Germany), Gaudi (Germany) & Grease (Switzerland).

Cast Recordings include the 2005 Elisabeth album.

Murray is also a well respected Director and Choreographer working internationally. His credits include: Musical Starlights (European and China Tours – Director and Choreographer) Best of Musicals (European Tour - Choreographer), 12 Tenors (European & Asian Tour - Director), Moulin Rouge (TV Promotion - Choreographer), The Phantom of the Opera (Chris Moreno & Paul Elliot - Director & Choreographer), Carnaby Street Capers (Chris Moreno and Paul Elliot - Director & Choreographer), Macphersons Rant (World Premier - Choreographer), Union Square Opening Ceremony (Aberdeen - Choreographer).

Murray is currently Directing and Choreographing for World Wide Events’ latest European Tour, Musical Starlights.

tor and Choreographer. His credits include; Robbie Williams (Choreographer), P&O Cruises (Director / Choreographer), The Best of Musicals – European Tour (Choreographer), 12 Tenors - international tour (Director) Moulin Rouge – TV Advert (Choreographer).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Gowland BA Hons Acting. PG Dip Musical Theatre

The MGA Academy of Performing Arts
Co Principal


Andrew trained as an actor at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama (UK), now the Birmingham School of Acting, The College of Visual and Performing Arts, Kutztown University (USA) and at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

Andrew most recently returned from a contract as Principal Singer and Company Manager for Belinda King Creative Productions onboard the QM2 for Cunard.

The winter of 2008 saw Andrew working in London, performing the role of Dandini in the Millfield Theatre's production of Cinderella.

Andrew was thrilled to be invited by Conor Mitchel to perform in his new musical Mathilde at the Edinburgh Festival 2008. Directed by the one and only Simon Callow & starring Francess Ruffelle and Anton Stephans.

In July 2008 Andrew completed a 10 month contract as the Theatre Company Manager and Principal Singer for Chris Moreno and Paul Elliot on board Aurora for P&O World Cruises.

Other Theatre credits include; Aladdin (CMC) Wishie Washie; Carnaby Street (Dir. Murray Grant) Skye; Jack and the Beasntalk (Theatre North) Jack; A Man of No Importance (European Premier - Jack Lyons Theatre - Matt Ryan) Breton Beret & Dance Captain; Murderous Instincts, (Savoy Theatre - Original West End Cast - Dir. Bob Carlton) understudying the roles Christopher and Miguel; The Oriana Theatre Company (CMC Ltd) as a Singer; Women Beware Women (Birmingham Hippodrome) The Ward; The Sea (Crescent Theatre - Dir. Ruth Carney) Hollarcut; The Mystery Of Edwin Drood (USA) Neville Landless; Into The Woods (Birmingham Hippodrome - Dir. Paul Kerryson) The Baker.

In 2005/06 Andrew won an Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Award and was also the recipient of a Musical Theatre Grant from the Lionel Bart Foundation. Andrew has been teaching workshops on Acting and Musical Theatre performance since 2002, both in the UK (including classes at Polka Youth Theatre) and in the USA for the Actors Outlet Drama School.

Andrew is also preparing his applications for studies to obtain his PHD in the USA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marcella Macdonald BA Hons, PGDip, PGCE

The MGA Academy of Performing Arts
Vice Principal

Marcella is currrently preparing to start rehearsals in London as Musical DIrector for World Wide Events' latest production show, Musical Starlights.

Marcella trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama on the BA Music course and subsequently at the Royal Academy of Music, London on the post graduate musical theatre course where she received the Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Award and the Musicians Benevolent Fund Award.

Theatre Works includes A Little Night Music (Jack Lyons Theatre), Evita (Zouk Amphitheatre, Beirut) Richard Rogers Centenary Celebrations (with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall) Les Dialogues Des Carmelites (Edinburgh Festival Theatre) Manon (New Athenaeum). Marcella has also worked as a backing singer for Elton John Performing at Birmingham NEC, The Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Opera House and Wembley and appearing on BBC 1. Other works include session singing and New Music Theatre Writers workshop.

Marcella's teaching experience includes; Musical Supervisor for Montage Theatre Arts, London. Vocal Coaching for Forth Children's Theatre and Musical Director for Edinburgh council's Musical Theatre Summer School. She currently teaches Music at Leith Academy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jordan McCurrach BA Hons Acting

The MGA Academy of Performing Arts
Head of Acting

Jordan graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, where he was presented with the ‘Most Promising Male Performance’ award of his graduating year.
Since graduating in July 2006 he went straight to the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh to perform in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has since enjoyed working with leading Scottish theatre companies such as National Theatre of Scotland, Dundee Rep Ensemble and the Citizen’s Theatre in Glasgow.

Theatre Credits include: Mother Goose (Byre Theatre), Playing Houses (Arches Theatre), Yellow Moon (TAG Theatre Company – European Tour), Cinderella (Byre Theatre), Fleeto (V.Amp Productions), Romeo & Juliet (Dundee Rep Theatre), Fleeto (Oran Mor), The People of Haddock Hill (Cumbernauld Theatre), James & The Giant Peach (Citizen’s Theatre), Project Macbeth (National Theatre of Scotland), Stars (Nutshell/Traverse Theatre).

TV & Film Credits Include: Solstice (NFTS) Ninety-Eight Percent (Bad Pony Productions), Joyeux Noel (Nord Ouest)

Jordan has enjoyed teaching for MGA Stage Academies since it's beginning in 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lindsay Osborne

The MGA Academy of Performing Arts
Theatre Company Manager

Lindsay is a former Scottish Latin & Ballroom Champion.  She has competed around Europe and has represented Scotland in World Championship Events.  Lindsay achieved a BA Hons in Dance at the Centre for Professional Dance Training at Edinburgh’s Telford College. 

Lindsay has worked in many aspects of dance from Ballroom to Commercial, her credits include Laux Hair Show, Finalist in the Edinburgh Search For A Star with Anton Du Beke, 'Salsa Invasion' Edinburgh Festival, Funky Hot Latina’s, and ‘Als Lads’ Cannes Film Festival. 

Lindsay is the Director of Boghall Pop Skool and more recently has undertaken the role of Project Manager with The MGA Company.

Lindsay is assistant choreographer on 'The Best of Musicals' European Tour, as well as co-choreographer in the Footlights Production, 'The Pajama Game'.

Nicky Pyrah

The MGA Academy of Performing Arts
Ballet Teacher

Tarined: Northern Ballet School

Biography to follow very shortly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tamlyn Platts

Tamlyn trained at Laine Theatre Arts, London. Her theatre experience includes: The Genius of Ray Charles (Haymarket theatre, London & U.S. Reno, Nevada) The Merry Widow (USA Tour), A Chorus Line (London Palladium), Pop Videos Include; Ronan Keating "Love it when you Do", Geri Halliwell "It's Raining Men", The Trixters "Benny", S Club 7 "Dont Stop Movin". Tamlyn also worked onboard Crystal Cruises as a swing and Dance Captain, she was then asked to assist the choreographer on the audition tour (London/New York/Toronto). Her Film/TV credits include; About A Boy, 2nd Nature, As If, Dream Team, Night and Day and Footballers Wives. She has also done tradeshows for L'Oreal, Wella, Rush Hair Salon, Peugeot 206 and Tomorrows World and most recently the Christmas special of the Generation Game.

 

 

 

In The Office!
Our Edinburgh and London Offices are managed by Citibase.

Ann Grant
The MGA Academy of Performing Arts
Student Registrar

Ann has worked for MGA since 2004 and coordinates the office administration and is Student Registrar at The MGA Academy of Performing Arts.

 

 

 

Carole Burnett
Public Relations and Marketting Manager

Biography Coming Soon

 

 

 

 

Louise Freeland
Finance Manager

Biography Coming Soon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Stannard
Project Manager

After completing his professional performance training at Bird College, London, Michael left the UK and headed to the USA to join the casts of PGT Entertainment.  He then performed and travelled the world with Regent Seven Seas.

Michael subsequently gained promotion with PGT becoming PGT’s Assistant Casting Director.  Michael also helped to coordinate the companies merging with Princess Cruises. He then went on to assist and produce inaugural shows for both companies.

Michael now works full time at The MGA Company in the Edinburgh Office managing the smooth running of all MGA's projects and coordinating the expansion of MGA Management.

 

 

Rhiannon Chesterman
Student Intern

Each year The MGA Company accepts one student intern to work within all branches of the company gaining experience in all aspects of the performing arts industry from Training to Management from Casting to Production.

Rhinannon joined the company in 2008 and will be leaving in september 2009 to train at Arts Educational.

Her progress within the managerial apsects of The MGA Company means she now has a job with us whenever she should want one.