A transformation is underway in Leicestershire that promises to set the stage for the next generation of performers and creatives.
From November, SMB College Group's acclaimed Performing Arts Academy at Melton Campus will be known as IGNITE. Needless to say, the superb teaching, excellent industry links, and modern facilities will remain unchanged.
Principal Dawn Whitemore said the decision to rename the academy, situated in the town of Melton Mowbray, was made to better reflect its dynamic vision and evolving mission.
She explained: "At SMB College Group we want to support and inspire each one of our students to achieve their full potential.
This change is not just about a name. It is symbolic of our commitment to cultivating talent, fueling creativity, and inspiring innovation within the performing arts.
Our facilities at the Melton Campus offer a real industry-style environment for Performing Arts students to hone their craft and really thrive.
Now IGNITE is poised to be the catalyst for countless more stories of artistic excellence, creativity, and inspiration."
Industry-standard environment
At IGNITE, all Performing Arts students benefit from an exclusive 340-seat commercial performance space where they can put everything they've learned into practice.
Students can sell their tickets commercially, set up social media accounts, and get a taste of the behind-the-scenes side of things too, like lighting and sound.
They will also find some excellent rehearsal spaces in which they can refine their performances before taking them to the stage.
In addition to trips to the West End and beyond, students have the chance to boost their CVs and portfolios with numerous regional and national competitions.
Full-time courses available include Level 2 Performing and Production Arts, Level 3 Performing and Production Arts (Acting), Level 3 Performing and Production Arts (Dance), and Level 3 Performing and Production Arts (Musical Theatre).
Degree programmes in Performing Arts are also available, which are taught at the college but are validated by DMU.
Students can progress into careers in Acting, Dance, Theatre, Stage Management, Theatre Production, Stage Design, Choreography, Directing, Education, Producing, and more.
Impressive alumni
Indeed, the college's Performing Arts programmes boast a raft of impressive alumni who've already forged successful careers within the industry, including:
- Adrian Scarborough (The King’s Speech, Gavin & Stacey, The History Boys, Killing Eve)
- Owen Warner (Hollyoaks, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here)
- Shaka McFarlane (Six the Musical, The Voice UK, American Idiot)
- Emmanuel Akwafo (Olivier nominated & 2023 Stage Debut Award Winner, As You Like It, West Side Story, A Midsummer Night’s Dream)
- Christopher Tendai (Hamilton, Jesus Christ Superstar, Owner of CTC Dance Company)
- Norton James (Choir of Man, Preludes, Spamalot)
- Joshua Lloyd (The Lion King, Choir of Man, The Last Days of Troy)
- Simeon Dyer (Willow, The Witcher, Snow White at the London Palladium)
- Jennifer Greene (Women in Rock, Professional Vocalist & Vocal Coach)
- Aimee Leigh (Theatre Choreographer, London Fashion Week Choreographer)
- Amy Wren (The Last Kingdom, Little Women, Tutankhamun)
Find out more?
The stage is set, the lights are dimmed, and the curtains are about to rise...
For further information and to apply now for 2024, click here.