Michael has star quality

Teenager eyes stage career

NIKI TENNANT

A talented Cambuslang teenager has set his sights on stage stardom after graduating from Scotland’s leading performing arts academy.

Michael Martin, a former Trinity High pupil, is now encouraging aspiring male performers to follow his path by applying for a place at Glasgow’s prestigious GAMTA, which is currently offering a scholarship to boys from disadvantaged backgrounds to train in musical theatre.

The 19-year-old gained a first-class BA (Hons) Musical Theatre qualification and hopes a forthcoming showcase in London will see him signed by a top agency.

He said: “I am extremely proud of myself to be graduating with a first-class degree. Before starting fulltime training at GAMTA in 2018, I attended the junior school from the age of 14.

“After the showcases in London and Glasgow, I hope to gain representation and start working professionally.”

Michael has encouraged any school leavers and would-be performers to consider the path he took to success, with auditions at GAMTA open for a September start and one remaining boy’s scholarship available for 2020/21 after the school found a successful candidate for a female place.

He said: “I loved all my time at GAMTA and have had amazing training. I could not have asked for a better experience.”

Shaaron Graham, who established GAMTA in 1994, said: “We’re so proud of Michael, who was so driven and ambitious from his first day here.

“We’re committed to doing our bit to help address ongoing gender imbalance in the performing arts industry and encourage other boys like Michael to train for a career as a successful performer.”

GAMTA is looking to award a scholarship for its three-year professional training course to a talented male performer who is over 18, living in Scotland, and has experience in and passion for singing or dancing.

Graduates from the Glasgow college can be found working all over the world, in London’s West End, on UK and European tours, in film and television, on cruise ships, for the National Theatre (London), the National Theatre of Scotland, and regional producing theatres around the UK.

Applications for the scholarship can be made via the gamta.org.uk website.