Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA), the first and only dedicated academy of its kind in the region, has opened Admissions for the new academic year, commencing September 2021. The launch of the new Admissions campaign coincided with the Academy opening its doors for its second year only as undergraduate students returned to the Academy for face-to-face learning post COVID-19 restrictions.

The 2020 academic year saw student numbers soar from an inaugural eight students in 2019 to 62 students from 15 countries around the world, including the MENA region, the United Kingdom and the United States.

SPAA’sadmission process is as unique as the Academy itself. To be considered for entry into one of its undergraduate programmes, there is an audition and interview process, which will commence on Tuesday, 10 November this year via an online platform. Prospective performing arts students will also have the opportunity to explore SPAA via a Virtual Open Day on Saturday, 5December.

“We are looking forward to discovering and welcoming talented, new students into the next academic year,” said Executive Director, Professor Peter Barlow.

“SPAA is unique in the MENA region. It is the only conservatoire style education and training where the programmes are taught in English so that students can gain an international perspective of professional performing arts. Our students are training for a career in the creative industries in a time when the world needs the arts the most. Our innovative teaching techniques aim to shape and support the professional performing arts scene in the UAE and globally.”

With the generosity of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, full scholarships are available to eligible students upon acceptance into the academy. These scholarships cover tuition and accommodation for the duration of the BA programme.

SPAA offers the opportunity for talented candidates to study full-time Bachelor degrees in Acting, Production Arts and Musical Theatre, with programmes led by highly qualified professionals and educators using intensive, practice-based teaching and learning techniques with the very best equipment, technology and facilities.

All candidates applying for the BA Musical Theatre and BA Acting programmes must submit a short video of themselves singing, dancing or acting depending on the programme they are applying for. As part of the application process all candidates must also register via SPAA’s Application Management System (AMS) to take part in an online Zoom interview.

“I fundamentally believe that the performing arts has the capacity to affect and benefit every single person.It is a pleasure to see our academy grow with so many students in action, learning from a team of international educators who have worked in major performing arts venues throughout the world,” said Professor Barlow.

The facilities at SPAA offer students a home to foster their talents and shape their future. The academy boasts a 432-seat theatre, 126-seat studio theatre, dedicated dance, acting and sound recording studios, rehearsal studio, a fully-equipped green screen television studio, library, gymnasium, breakout spaces, onsite accommodation and much more.

For further information about Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA), visit https://www.spaa.ae/