ABOUT US
Mendip Performing Arts Academy is a fun, interactive and inclusive theatre school, based in Somerset.
Run by former recording artist and Musical Theatre graduate, Principal Rosie, the Academy gives students the chance to learn and blend the three core performing disciplines of singing, dancing and acting, with a focus on confidence, team building, fun and of course learning and building on performance skills.
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We offer one to one classes, training for LAMDA examination and group classes in singing, dancing and acting with a Musical Theatre focus.
Performing arts is about so much more than just singing, dancing or acting. We encourage our students to reach their potential in a safe and encouraging environment, build confidence and find skills they never even knew they had.
Join us for a taster session, or contact us to find out more today.
OUR PRINCIPAL
Rosie Skinner (BA Hons Musical Theatre)
Rosie has been performing for longer than she can remember.
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From the humble beginnings of singing in local venues in her hometown of Cornwall from the age of 8, and taking part in every amateur dramatics pantomime, play and musical she could find (and that her parents would agree to drive her to), she continued her professional training with successful examinations and certification in:
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RAD Ballet
ISTD Modern Dance
ISTD Jazz Dance
Rock School Singing for Pop Music
LAMDA Musical Theatre
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Whilst still at school,
She then followed this up with undertaking a two year, full time BTEC in Performing Arts, achieving a triple distinction, culminating in her performing in the lead role of 'Autolycus' in the Trucco Theatre Company modernised retelling of the Shakespeare classic 'A Winters Tale'. This production toured venues in Cornwall and Southern Spain to fantastic reviews.
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After a round of auditions, Rosie was then successful in achieving a place at the Colchester Institute for excellence in Performing Arts to study for a BA Hons in Musical Theatre. During this time, Rosie played a wide variety of roles (in a revue style) from musicals such as 'Avenue Q', 'Legally Blonde', 'Wicked', 'The Witches of Eastwick', 'Spring Awakening', 'Oklahoma' and 'Parade' to name but a few. During this time she also played the role of Ensemble/Cyndi Lauper in 'The Wedding Singer The Musical' at the Westcliff Theatre in Clacton on Sea, and was a Choreographer/lead dancer/Ensemble in a production of 'And The World Goes Round' a revue musical based on the works of Kander and Ebb. She also regularly attended dance classes at both Pineapple Dance Studios and The Dance Attic during this time.
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Following the completion of her degree, Rosie entered the world of auditions (including Disney, Cruise Ships and a new West End Musical) and was snapped up by a music management and record company who were auditioning for the final member of their girlband 'Vanity'. Vanity then went on to tour flagship New Look stores in a partnership with the clothing brand, schools, football stadiums, shopping centres and nightclubs. They released two singles on Itunes (Ice Ice Baby and Can You Handle Me) and performed on a West End Stage (The Lyric) for the charity benefit 'A Night for Jennifer'.
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After moving on from the band, Rosie then turned her hand to teaching, and worked as a choreographer on local school productions such as 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', supporting the drama department, all the while dreaming of owning her own theatre school.
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What started out as two classes on a Saturday morning, post COVID 19, has grown in popularity and now extends to weeknights and online teaching in the LAMDA examination syllabus.
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Since setting up the Academy, Rosie has continued her professional development by attending teacher training courses in LAMDA Musical Theatre, Acting and Speaking in Public, is learning to play the piano and in April 2023 she will perform as 'Lucy' in the Wells Little Theatre production of 'Avenue Q'.
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Rosie is deeply passionate about the development of children and young adults and how performing arts can support them, not only with any ambition they too might have to be on the stage, but also equip them with skills for life. Confidence, team work, mental and physical well being are just some of the benefits of introducing your child to Performing arts. Rosie says:
'It has been a beautiful thing to watch our students flourish over the last few years and I can't wait to see where their paths lead them.'
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Book your taster session here