FROM building confidence to learning new skills, getting involved in the performing arts can open up a whole new world of opportunity for kids.

Ahead of auditions for their next intake of pupils, UK Theatre School principal Lizanne Lambie Thomson shares the top 10 benefits attending theatre classes can bring for young Scots.

1. A confidence booster

Exposure to the world of performing arts can, without doubt, boost the confidence of a child or young person, which in turn helps them at school and in their extracurricular activities.

Building confidence allows students to feel positive about performing in front of an audience – something that can help them throughout life.

2. Making friends

Our theatre school’s aim is to enhance students’ understanding of the performing arts and to prepare them for further education in this area. But our classes are also designed to help students integrate well in social settings.

UK Theatre School alumni have even performed with Michael Bublé

3. Learn with the best

All of our dedicated teaching staff at UK Theatre School are trained to a very high standard with many of our staff having already gained their degrees and masters at prestigious further educational establishments like The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Royal Academy of Music.

4. Support from the experts

We pride ourselves on getting to know our students – knowing students’ career goals is essential for the teachers to guide them on a correct path.

5. Enjoy the spotlight with shows and performances

Getting involved in the performing arts offers children and young people a chance to really shine.

During our winter season we run a full-scale pantomime or Christmas show, and the entire school gets involved.

Our summer performance programme takes place in July and August, and is usually a full-scale musical production. Earlier this year we staged Little Shop of Horrors.

Performing on stage can give kids more confidence

6. Develop new life skills

Performing arts students learn how to use body language, facial expressions and vocals to portray a full range of emotions, including confidence when addressing an audience – whether that’s three, 300 or more.

These same skills can be used in many professional situations and will stand our students in good stead in every walk of life.

7. Gain new qualifications

We insist on having exams as part of the advanced course curriculum to ensure students and their parents can see progress, although sitting the exam is optional.

Our acting students sit the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) exam syllabus, singing students sit London College of Music (LCM) exams, and our ballet students sit their Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) exams.

These exam qualifications will be recognised anywhere in the performing arts world.

8. Access to a professional casting agency

We have an in-house, proactive casting agency department called UKCasting, which looks for our students to work in the theatre, TV, radio and film.

Students have been cast in Disney movies and blockbuster films, TV dramas and sitcoms, as well as many big-brand advertising campaigns.

Our team deals with the administrative side and contractual aspect of these commissions.

UK Theatre School students with Nicola Benedetti

9. Access a world of entertainment

Excellent training in performing arts, coupled with commitment and drive will see almost any student do well in the performing arts industry.

Our students have had great exposure in the performing arts world. As well as being cast alongside the likes of Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, James McAvoy and many other talented actors, students were also given the opportunity to work with Rod Stewart, Michael Buble and Kylie Minogue in an ITV Christmas special.

10. Have fun

The main aim of our school is for our children and young people to have fun while training. For our students it’s an extremely exciting place to be!

This article was brought to you in association with the UK Theatre School.

For more information on the November 12 auditions, visit uktheatreschool.com/auditions