While still at school, Andy took part in Glasgow School's Youth Theatre as well as performing with Scottish Youth Theatre. After finishing school, he attended Fife College where he completed their 1 Year Theatre Studies Diploma Course. From here, Andy gained a place at R.S.A.M.D (now known as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) where he obtained their 3-year acting diploma. Andy was then taken on by a London agent and had a 15-year acting career working on stage, in television and also theatre in education. Following these 15 years as an actor, Andy decided to go back to university where he did a 1 year conversion course to turn his acting diploma into a degree. This was followed by a further year gaining his PGDE teaching in Drama.
Fresh out of Edinburgh University, Andy moved to Aberdeen and completed his Drama teaching probation year at Aberdeen Grammar School before moving to Robert Gordon’s College (RGC) in 2008 as a Teacher of Drama. A year later, Andy became Head of Drama at RGC where he taught as well as putting on countless drama club/full school productions. From September 2017 until December 2018, Andy was Acting Deputy Head at RGC.
Fresh out of Edinburgh University, Andy moved to Aberdeen and completed his Drama teaching probation year at Aberdeen Grammar School before moving to Robert Gordon’s College (RGC) in 2008 as a Teacher of Drama. A year later, Andy became Head of Drama at RGC where he taught as well as putting on countless drama club/full school productions. From September 2017 until December 2018, Andy was Acting Deputy Head at RGC.
When asked about the best part of his job, Andy told us: “Developing the creative skills and talents of young people in acting and performance, film making and technical theatre.”
He then told us that the worst part was; “The paperwork and bureaucracy that takes so much time out of being creative and developing creative minds.”
Andy's Production of West Side Story in 2015
What advice would you give to someone who would like to get into the creative industries based on your own personal experiences?
“Don't give up and peruse your passion. Be open to a variety of different areas within the creative industries as well as learning from others.”
Theatre in education: https://www.wearegibber.com/blog/what-is-theatre-in-education/
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: https://www.rcs.ac.uk
Scottish Youth theatre: https://scottishyouththeatre.org
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