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Oasis Travel & MSC Cruises Set Sail with BSPA at the Arena

Oasis Travel and MSC Cruises are proud to announce their sponsorship of BSPA at the Arena event, set to take place on Sunday 15th June at the SSE Arena, Belfast.

The production, delivered by the Belfast School of Performing Arts (BSPA) will see over 700 young performers take to the stage in a dazzling display of music, drama, and dance. Celebrating the BSPA’s 15-year anniversary, the concert highlights the creativity, energy and talent of Northern Ireland’s youth.

Tina McVeigh, Director of BSPA, explains, “We’re thrilled to have the support of Oasis Travel and MSC Cruises for this very special event. Their partnership along with local print company Signature Works, enables us to create a truly memorable experience for our young performers, one that not only celebrates their talent but also nurtures their personal growth and love of performing arts. It’s a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when the arts and business communities come together.”

Oasis Travel, Northern Ireland’s largest independent travel agency, and MSC Cruises, a leader in innovative and sustainable cruising, are united in their commitment to supporting local communities and nurturing the next generation of talent. 

Scott McCabe, Managing Director of Oasis Travel, said; 

“We are delighted to support BSPA at the Arena alongside our valued partners MSC Cruises. At Oasis Travel, we believe in creating unforgettable experiences, and this event does just that – for performers, families, and audiences alike.”

Wendy Cameron, Managing Director UK & Ireland of MSC Cruises, added:

“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to support initiatives that inspire young people and bring communities together. BSPA at the Arena is an extraordinary event, and we’re proud to be involved with Oasis Travel in backing such a fantastic celebration of youth and the arts.”

Under the artistic direction of Peter Corry MBE, BSPA at the Arena promises to be a high-energy, professionally staged production that reflects the hard work and passion of its young cast, supported by an expert creative team. 

With the support of Oasis Travel and MSC Cruises, BSPA continues to raise the bar for youth performance, bringing unforgettable moments to life at the SSE Arena.

BSPA Mark 15 Years with Arena Spectacle

BSPA at the Arena

We are proud to announce a milestone celebration marking 15 incredible years of fostering young talent and championing the performing arts across Northern Ireland.

To commemorate this significant anniversary, BSPA will host a spectacular concert at the iconic SSE Arena on 15th June 2025, at which over 750 young performers from across Northern Ireland, will take to the stage to perform songs from the world’s most loved musical theatre shows which have been highlights of BSPA’s history.

This landmark event promises to be a celebration of talent, creativity, and community, as BSPA students, aged from just 6 to 24 take to the stage to showcase their skills in an unforgettable evening of music, dance, and theatre. The concert will highlight the breadth of talent nurtured by BSPA over the past 15 years, the school’s pivotal role in shaping the next generation of performers, and the lifelong friendships made.

Adding to the celebrations, BSPA is thrilled to also announce the launch of 15 FREE scholarships for the upcoming academic year (2025/2026). These aim to provide talented young people, regardless of their circumstances, with the opportunity to receive world-class training in performing arts. Each scholarship student will join one of the 10 main schools or performance academy and get the chance to work with some of the most talented and inspirational teachers in the business, opening doors and creating amazing experiences whilst cementing strong friendships as they progress through their performing arts journey.

“I’m so proud to work with the talented young people at BSPA and I am really excited at how the school is growing. Celebrating 15 years leading youth performing arts is no small feat and I can’t wait to bring all our students to the stage in June to mark the occasion.

“Our students not only get to enjoy the performing arts when they come to us each week, they also get to build their confidence, work on new skills that can be applied to many areas of life and make new friends along the way. This concert will be a celebration of all those things. It will certainly be an arena spectacular not to miss – it’s also worth mentioning that the entire cast of over 750 will in fact be on the stage at once so I’m anticipating that the roof will literally be raised!

“I’m also looking forward to hosting the auditions for the scholarship initiative which I believe very much underscores BSPA’s commitment to inclusivity and our mission to inspire and empower young performing arts enthusiasts. Our small corner of the world is awash with young talent, and we hope to be able to nurture and bring opportunity to a further 15 for whom it might not have been possible for before.”

Young people aged 6 to 24 who are passionate about the performing arts are encouraged to register their interest in applying for a free scholarship by emailing info@thebspa.co.uk. Auditions will be held in the coming months, giving aspiring performers the chance to showcase their talent and secure one of these life-changing opportunities.

Tina McVeigh, Managing Director of BSPA, said:

“As we celebrate 15 years of BSPA, we are immensely proud of the community we’ve built and the countless young people who have discovered their passion, honed their skills, developed life skills that can be used in all walks of like or achieved their dreams.  Above all they will have made friends, developed their confidence and had fun through being a part of our BSPA family.

The concert will be a testament to the incredible talent of our students and the introduction of 15 free scholarships ensures that we continue to create opportunities for more young people. This is part of our way of giving back and celebrating the future and the importance of the Arts in Northern Ireland.”

Over the years, BSPA has been a launchpad for numerous success stories, with alumni excelling in theatre, television, film, and beyond. This year’s 15th anniversary celebration is both a reflection of the school’s remarkable legacy and an exciting look towards its future.

BSPA have a total of ten schools across the country in Belfast, Bangor, Ballymena and Lisburn, with each school producing an end of year show which gives all the students a chance to see what it is like to perform in a real theatre environment. BSPA also offers BSPA Junior classes where little ones as young as three can discover their love of dancing, singing and acting, along with a Performance Academy which supports young people aged 16-24 with the key skills required to take their performing abilities to the next level.

Don’t Miss Out Tickets for the SSE Arena concert on 15th June 2025 are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ie

Junior Summer Project is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

We are thrilled to announce that the BSPA Junior Summer Project 2025 will be none other than Disney’s Beauty and the Beast! 

“A tale as old as time,” this beloved classic follows Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a cursed prince who must learn to love and be loved before time runs out.
With unforgettable characters and a magical story, this is the perfect show for our Junior Project!

Location: Stranmillis College Theatre
Dates: 7th – 27th July 2025
Ages: 8–16 years (Open to all)

We are delighted to have the incredible Michael McEvoy directing this enchanting production, and he can’t wait to bring this fabulous story to life on stage! 

For more information and to register, click here:
https://forms.gle/mU7Rb32C598kjgm57

Don’t miss out—spaces are limited! ✨

BSPA presents: PIPPIN

BSPA present Pippin

We’re thrilled to announce this year’s Senior Project—Stephen Schwartz’s iconic and unforgettable musical, Pippin!

From the composer of “Wicked”, Pippin follows the journey of a young prince striving to find his extraordinary purpose. Guided by the mysterious Leading Players, he explores the glory of battle, the allure of love, and the complexities of power—only to discover that true happiness might be found in life’s simple, unextraordinary moments.

Directed by our Artistic Director: Peter Corry this circus-inspired, ensemble-focused production promises a magical twist on a timeless tale. With a breathtaking score, Bob Fosse-inspired choreography, and a story full of heart, this is your chance to shine in one of musical theatre’s true hidden gems!

Dates: 31st July – 23rd August
Age: 14–24 years. (open to all)
Auditions: 21st & 22nd April

Don’t miss out on the magic! Register for auditions here:
https://forms.gle/n9xBikX1nFsRCpZg6

“We’ve got magic to do”

BSPA Celebrates 15 Years of Excellence!

BSPA turns 15

On January 9th, 2010, the Belfast School of Performing Arts (BSPA) opened its doors for the very first time, welcoming 36 passionate young performers. Fast forward to today, and BSPA has grown into a thriving hub of creativity and talent, with:

🌟 10 Schools (most at full capacity!)
🌟 5 BSPA Junior Schools
🌟 A vibrant Performance Academy for 16–24-year-olds
🌟 Accredited Midweek Classes
🌟 A successful Casting Agency
🌟 BSPA Voices Choir
🌟 School Trips & Workshops
🌟 Trinity Exams and Level 4 Diplomas

Looking Ahead: Our Biggest Year Yet!

🎭 18 incredible shows on the horizon!
🎭 A spectacular SSE Arena production on June 15th, featuring over 750 talented young performers! (Tickets are selling fast—don’t miss out!)

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re thrilled to announce exciting upcoming projects, including two unforgettable Summer Productions. Be sure to follow us on social media for all the latest updates!

A Heartfelt Thank You

To our amazing teachers, performers, technical team, and supporters—thank you for helping us grow into what we are today. Your dedication has created lasting memories for countless young people, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Here’s to 15 years of inspiring creativity—and many more to come! 🥳🎶

BSPA Alumni Louis McCartney Set for Broadway Stardom!

Louis McCartney set for Broadway

We are beyond proud to announce that BSPA alumnus Louis McCartney is set to shine on Broadway! Louis has been invited to reprise his role as Henry Creel in the highly anticipated Broadway transfer of Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

Louis first brought this role to life on the West End, where his performance earned rave reviews and widespread acclaim.

We wish Louis continued success and are incredibly proud of all he has achieved. The BSPA community is cheering you on, Louis—congratulations on this amazing milestone!