Student Spotlight - Niamh Ross
🗣️ From professional, amateur and community performance companies, to a multitude of dedicated festivals (including the world's largest arts festival), it's safe to say that Scotland is the ideal location to soak up the arts! – Scotland.org
Musical Theatre courses at UHI Perth prepare you to cope with the demands of current professional practice and develop your skills in singing and vocal techniques, dance and acting through a range of performance opportunities and training.
We caught up with one of our current students to hear how she has found studying in Perth 👇
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Niamh Lori Ross, and I am from Crieff, Scotland.
What course are you studying at UHI Perth?
I am currently studying BA Theatre Industry Practice, specialising in choreography. Previously, I studied Musical Theatre gaining my HND to progress onto the degree. This means I am on my third year of my course; I hope to continue onto fourth-year.
How did you hear about UHI Perth?
Being quite local, I had previously been a part of the Foundation Apprenticeship program at school, coming into college every Friday to study Childcare and Young People (2019-2020), which helped to influence my decision to study here. My Foundation Apprenticeship, though only once a week, was an incredible and supportive experience. I learned so much about myself in this time. I knew I wanted to work with children in some capacity but never thought about dance teaching until this course.
What were you doing before you came to UHI Perth?
I came straight from school, so I applied for this course during my sixth year at Crieff High School.
Why did you decide to pick this course?
I heard about Musical Theatre course at UHI Perth through my support teacher at school, she was helping me apply for courses and helping to guide me in the best direction. I was originally debating between dance and acting courses, when she suggested Musical Theatre. I didn’t think this was an option for me as I had never really done it before, although I have always loved Musical Theatre. She’s the real reason I am here, giving me the confidence to apply and helping me with the whole process, also giving me advice with my audition work.
My family has been very supportive of my love for the arts since I first expressed it to them as a child. My mum and my brother have also studied in the arts, both gaining degrees in acting. I also decided to pick this course because of the kind nature of Victoria, during my interview. Although my auditions and interview looked a bit different due to the pandemic, I could tell that I would be welcomed with open arms at UHI Perth.
What is your favourite this about this course?
I love this course for many different reason, one reason being that the whole department is one massive collaborative family with Technical Theatre, Musical Theatre and now the new degree, everyone has each other backs through shows and assessments - we all look out for each other.
All the lecturers are so kind and supportive to everyone, even the ones that they don’t teach. In the degree, I have found out so much more about the Theatre Industry and being a part of productions in a way I haven’t before, and it has been such a great year so far. Everyone from my own classmates to students on the Musical Theatre and Technical Theatre courses, as well as all my lecturers, have helped in any way I have needed.
I don’t think there is just one thing that is my favourite about this course, but I think getting to work with the HNC/ HND’s has been an amazing opportunity especially because my mum is on the HND Musical Theatre course this year. It is very special to get to work with her and learn from her. I am also learning so much from Robyn, who is the dance lecturer here at UHI Perth. Getting to sit in her classes and observe, take warmups, and work alongside her to choreograph Little Women was very special.
Has there been any standout/memorable moment from this course?
Every day that I have been studying in the Theatre department has been different, there is so many moments and memories that I will look back at fondly. I have met so many amazing people that I call my best friends over the course of the four years I have been here.
During my HND 2022-23, I was suffering quite badly from gallstones, and I had been struggling for about four years. This caused me to miss a lot of college because I was in pain every time I ate, sending me to A&E almost every week, sometimes multiple times in a week. Finally, when I got my surgery date, it was six weeks from the end of the year, after being on the waitlist since 2020. I was in so much pain every day that I had get the operation as soon as possible. This caused me to be medically suspended, and I returned the next year to re-sit my HND year. This was one of the best things that could have happened, I learned so much more not being in pain, being able to fully function at all times. The class also welcomed me with open arms without question. This meant I got to be a part of two more amazing shows, making so many new friends that I will cherish forever.
Can you tell us about the productions you have performed in during your studies?
I have had the joy of performing in four shows through my time here at UHI Perth.
In HNC (2021-2022), I was in Shrek the Musical. I played Captain of the Guards and was a member of the ensemble.
During my HND (2022-2023), I was in The Little Mermaid. I played Chef Louis and ensemble in cast A and Pilot and ensemble in cast B.
HND (2023-2024), I was in Into the Woods. I played Jack’s Mother, and Pippin! I was ensemble.
I think my favourite production was ‘Into the Woods’. It was a challenging show, but it brought me so much joy. I believe it was the project that brought my whole class together, we all worked so hard, and I was so proud of all of us - the end results spoke for all of the hard work we put in. I loved playing Jack’s Mother; she will always be one of my favourites. I felt so special playing her, getting to build her mannerisms, behaviours, accent and personality was something I took so seriously. Other productions I have seen actors played her so different to how I portrayed her, I wanted her kind nature and unwavering love for her son to show through all of the things she did in through the show, she just wanted to keep her son safe and prepare him for the day she couldn’t care for him anymore, even dying to protect him. I will remember Jack’s Mother forever.
What knowledge and skills have you gained from your course that will help you when you leave UHI Perth?
I learned a lot from all of the production I was a part of, from not only my lecturers but my peers. I’ve learned to understand professional standards for cast and crew on and off stage, which has helped me prepare for moving on to try and work professionally. This year especially, as the degree really focuses on finding your future career goals and finding pathways to get there, so that when you leave education you know how to start to find your way towards the career you want within the industry. The degree has also taught me so much about promoting myself, about self-employment, and networking.
The past two years I have been a Student Representative, going to all of the student voice meetings, making sure that the Theatre department was represented. Sharing my opinions and giving feedback about the whole campus. Voicing concerns and asking questions about budget cuts, making sure that I could convey all of the right information back to my class.
We have had many opportunity from being at UHI Perth including singing waiters, graduation performances, ‘scare acting’ at Sprits of Scone, getting professional grade headshots and performance photos, trips to Perth Theatre, taking part in workshops with industry professionals, seeing performances at Perth Theatre and work placement opportunities at Perth Theatre; these are just a few of the amazing additional opportunities that have been offered to me in my time here. I have taken as many that I could!
Have you undertaken a placement or work experience whilst at UHI Perth?
I haven’t done my work placement yet, but it will be happening this semester and I am very excited to expand my knowledge of the industry. I am taking a work experience module, where you go out and find somewhere to do work placement in your specialism. I am going to Dundee and Angus College to complete my 36 hours. My placement will involve working with the dance and acting students.
Have your lectures been supportive during your studies?
All of my lecturers have been amazingly supportive through my rough time with my health to now. As a student with dyslexia and autism I can easily get overwhelmed with workload and deadlines, and my lecturers have always been very accommodating with me, helping me through every rough patch. Specifically, my PAT for the past four years Victoria, she has gone out of her way many times for me supporting me through academic and health struggles, during my HND (2022-2023) she made sure she was in constant communication with me during my recovery. This didn’t go unnoticed at all, every single one of the lecturers in the Theatre department care so deeply about every student's success, and it is such an amazing and beautiful environment to be a part of.
Any other achievements you have gained on your journey?
I have tried to keep my main focus be on my studies trying not to take on more than I could handle. The achievements that I have gained is my confidence, team working skills and my HNC and HND in Musical Theatre - these are things that I will be forever proud of.
What do you like about the campus/ facilities?
The staff at Starbucks and Goodlyburn canteen, (Teresa, Lisa and Lisa) have made my experience here even better. They bring joy and laughter to the campus every day. They laugh and joke with you and always like to hear about how your day is going, what classes you have that day, and are all amazingly kind people. Another person that makes the campus a better place is Sam, he brings joy to whatever building he enters, always stopping to say hi to everyone, knowing exactly who everyone on the campus is. It is always the little things that make my day here at UHI Perth, the small interactions make a big impact.
Have you enjoyed studying at UHI Perth? Any highlights?
I have loved studying at UHI Perth, I don’t think I could pick one highlight. I have throughly enjoyed every day I have been here, from my mask-wearing cabaret in first year to being a part of the production team for Little Woman.
Do you have hobbies or interests outside of your studies?
I have a love for art, I draw and paint a lot. Art is like my main stress outlet. I even do commissioned work through Etsy. I also eat, sleep and breathe Musical Theatre, so I joined Ad-Lib Arts, which is a local amateur dramatic company run by my lecturer Victoria, working with everyone from little tots all the way to adults.
I also like to live stream gaming content on my TikTok page. This has become a small source of income for me, getting to make new friends through this from different countries all over the world.
What are your future career plans?
I would love to sign with an agency sometime within the next five years and try my hand at performing. But I would also love to choreograph for local theatre companies and amateur companies.
And finally, what advise would you like to give someone thinking about studying at UHI Perth?
Take every day as it is, every day brings the opportunity for new memories, make friends and get your work done early to leave enough time for fun with classmates. Embrace all the opportunities that come your way and remember that there is always someone there to support you through your studies.
