LMA doubles down on North East promise with Tyneside Cinema partnership and free workshops led by Dua Lipa dancer Robyn Rae Laud & West End star Erin Caldwell

13 hours ago
4 min read

Travis guitarist Andy Dunlop, Bloodhound Gang drummer Adam Perry and North East Screen CEO Alison Gwynn among major industry names already brought to Newcastle as creative institution ramps up countdown to September opening.

When LMA announced plans to open a Newcastle campus earlier this year, it made a bold promise.

Its arrival in the city would be about far more than simply opening another university building or recruiting students for a new intake.

Instead, the institution pledged to become an active part of the North East's creative ecosystem, building partnerships, creating opportunities and helping nurture the next generation of musicians, performers, filmmakers and creatives.

Just months later, LMA is already proving it meant every word.

Fresh from a recently packed-out Industry Insight Event at Newcastle's iconic Tyneside Cinema featuring Travis guitarist Andy Dunlop, Bloodhound Gang drummer Adam Perry, North East Screen Chief Executive Alison Gwynn, West End star Erin Caldwell and internationally touring choreographer Robyn Rae Laud, LMA has now announced an official partnership with the much-loved independent cinema as momentum continues to build ahead of the opening of its Newcastle campus this September.

The event marked a major milestone for the institution's North East expansion and provided perhaps the clearest sign yet that LMA intends to do things differently in Newcastle.

The audience heard honest stories from the front line of the creative industries, from life in globally successful bands and international tours to the rapidly growing opportunities emerging across film and television production in the region.

For LMA Newcastle Principal Deni Chambers, the evening perfectly captured what the institution hopes to bring to the city.

She said: "When we launched in Newcastle we spoke about becoming part of the region's creative ecosystem rather than simply operating within it and everything we've done since has been focused on delivering against that promise.

"Whether that's bringing major industry figures into the city, building partnerships with organisations like Tyneside Cinema or creating free opportunities for young people to experience industry-led training, we're determined to make a meaningful contribution to the region's creative future."

The newly announced partnership with Tyneside Cinema marks another major milestone for the institution and reinforces its commitment to embedding itself within Newcastle's cultural landscape from day one.

An official spokesperson for Tyneside Cinema said: "Tyneside Cinema has always believed in creating opportunities for emerging talent and supporting the next generation of creatives. LMA shares those values and we're delighted to be working together as the institution prepares to open its doors in Newcastle this September.

"There is enormous creative energy across the city and region at the moment and partnerships like this can only strengthen opportunities for young people looking to build careers in the creative industries."

The event also produced some memorable endorsements of Newcastle and the wider North East creative economy from the panel itself.

Travis guitarist Andy Dunlop said:

"The North is really exciting creatively. The further north you go, the more meaning and heart there is in your songs."

Meanwhile Adam Perry highlighted the region's growing national reputation.

"The North East is flying right now and quickly becoming a real creative cluster. It happened in London, it happened in Liverpool, it happened in Manchester and now it's Newcastle's turn."

North East Screen Chief Executive Alison Gwynn added:

"The North East is at a really interesting point and creative opportunities have never been more achievable than they are right now. There is real momentum building and the North East is now the fastest growing region for film and television."

As the countdown to September continues, LMA is now accelerating its programme of free creative experiences designed to give young people a genuine taste of life inside the institution.

Next up is perhaps the biggest yet.

On Tuesday 21 July, performers from across the region will have the opportunity to train for FREE with internationally acclaimed Dancer Robyn Rae Laud, whose credits include Dua Lipa and the Spice Girls, and there will be a second musical theatre workshop on the same day delivered West End Star Erin Caldwell whose theatre credits include Six, Heathers and Pretty Woman: The Musical.

The free workshop will take place on the iconic stage of the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Westage Road from 2pm-4pm and forms part of a growing programme of industry-led events designed to give young people direct access to the kinds of opportunities more commonly associated with London or Manchester.

The session promises a high-energy practical experience featuring fresh choreography, industry insight and professional-level training delivered by creatives currently operating at the very highest level of their industries.

Importantly, LMA says this is only the beginning.

Additional free workshops and experiences covering acting, musical theatre, music performance and wider creative disciplines are set to be announced in the coming weeks as the institution continues its countdown to opening.

Deni Chambers added:

"One of the promises we made when we came to Newcastle was that we wouldn't sit quietly and wait for September to arrive.

"We said we'd bring opportunities, bring industry and bring the very best people in the business to the North East and that's exactly what we're doing.

"Whether it's partnering with iconic organisations like Tyneside Cinema, hosting major industry events or offering free workshops with world-class creatives, we're committed to doing things differently.

"Newcastle deserves that ambition and we're only just getting started."

LMA Newcastle opens this September on St James' Boulevard in the heart of Newcastle city centre.

The new campus in Newcastle joins existing campuses in Liverpool and London and will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across Music, Acting, Dance, Film & TV production, Games Art, Business, Marketing and Events for the Creative Industries.

Built around an industry-first model, students work directly with professionals, undertake live projects and benefit from partnerships spanning festivals, television, music and performance from the very beginning of their studies.

If the last few months are anything to go by, Newcastle can expect plenty more announcements before September arrives.

To sign up for the Dance workshop with Robyn Rae Laud in Newcastle on Tuesday 21^st July, visit this link: https://app.geckoform.com/public/#/modern/21FO0128tfqsix002m3nmtqqqt

And for Erin Caldwell’s musical theatre workshop at the same venue but between 10 am and 12 noon visit: https://app.geckoform.com/public/#/modern/21FO0128tfqq20007gp70qxyl3

To apply to LMA Newcastle head to: https://www.lma.ac.uk/newcastle

For more information about LMA visit: https://www.lma.ac.uk/