Broadway mentor for young Angus starlet

THEATRE: Former Arbroath High pupil given pointers by top composer

A talented Angus performer landed the opportunity to work with a celebrated Broadway composer in her latest step on the stairway to stardom.

Former Arbroath High School pupil Bobbi Gray, who is training for a musical theatre diploma at the MGA Academy of Performing Arts in Edinburgh, was mentored by Jonathan Reid Gealt when he visited the academy.

The composer has released multiple albums and his songs have been performed as part of shows in sold-out venues across the world.

Bobbi, 18, who grew up performing in musicals with Arbroath’s Limelight Youth Musical Theatre group, said: “I started dancing when I was a little girl and have loved performing ever since.

“When I auditioned for a place at the MGA Academy, I felt quite nervous but everyone was really friendly, which put my mind at ease.

“When I received my acceptance letter, I was over the moon.

“It was amazing to get to sing for someone like Jonathan Reid Gealt.

“He lives and works in New York City so has so much knowledge and experience to share.

“I decided to sing the song If I Loved You from the musical Carousel as I wanted to get some feedback from Jonathan about how to improve my performance of it. When I finish my training, I’m hoping to move to London so I can audition for roles in touring productions and in London’s West End.

“My dream is to be cast in Phantom of the Opera.”

Jonathan said he had been very impressed with the staff and students at the MGA Academy in the past and did not want to miss the chance to drop in again.

“Whilst mentoring Bobbi and her fellow students, I tried to get them to think about how to best tell stories through songs,” he said.

“I encouraged them to try and relate songs and lyrics to things they have experienced in their own lives.”

Last year, the Edinburgh-based academy became the first full-time professional training academy in Scotland to be awarded accreditation by CDET, the UK’s quality assurance and membership body for the professional dance, drama and musical theatre industries.

MGA managing director Andrew Gowland said: “Jonathan is a good friend of ours and kindly offered to visit whilst on holiday in Scotland.

“His knowledge of the performing arts industry is second to none and our students will have benefited greatly from his expertise.

“We are holding auditions for places on the MGA Academy’s full-time courses and would welcome applications from local performers with similar aspirations to Bobbi.

“The next audition will take place in Edinburgh on Sunday March 18 and application forms can be downloaded from our website.”

Composer Jonathan Reid Gealt enjoyed his visit to the MGA Academy in Edinburgh.

Bobbi Gray, 18, has her sights set on London’s West End.