A groundbreaking new cultural venture in the heart of Sunderland is set to transform the landscape of performing arts education across the North East.
Arts North Studios is a flagship initiative developed in partnership with Culture Quarter and in collaboration with Sunderland College.
Based at The Fire Station, the state-of-the-art facility includes fully equipped dance and rehearsal studios, changing rooms, showers, and locker facilities, study and co-working areas, access to The Fire Station’s 550-seat performance space for rehearsals and live showcases.
Led by Annie Guy, a celebrated West End performer, associate director, and choreographer whose credits span acclaimed productions such as Hairspray, Bonnie and Clyde, Joseph, Thoroughly Modern Millie, West Side Story, and work with Sky1, Pinewood Studios, CBBC, and more, Arts North Studios promises professional-level performing arts training for aspiring young creatives.
Originally from the North East, Annie trained at the prestigious Arts Educational Schools London, before going on to perform internationally across the USA, Canada, and the West End. Her career reflects a dynamic fusion of technical mastery, performance excellence, and educational leadership.
Guy said: “I have a huge passion for bringing top-quality West End training to young people in the North East.
“Originally being from the North East myself, I am dedicated to giving as many opportunities and passing on my experience to young people in this field as possible.
“We have a strong emphasis on mindset development, confidence-building, and nurturing individual creativity, and students are encouraged to grow not only as performers but as artists and change-makers.
“Arts North Studios is about building a creative home where talent is nurtured, individuality is celebrated, and dreams are within reach.”
This venture is the latest chapter in the Culture Quarter’s drive to cultivate world-class performance and entertainment in Sunderland, and will officially launch with the Musical Theatre Summer Camp at The Fire Station next week.
Rhys McKinnell, CEO of Culture Quarter, said: “Arts North Studios embodies Culture Quarter’s mission as a business—bringing together elite-level performing arts education with a deep commitment to local opportunity, growth, and cultural investment.
The initiative is built on the proven success of the award-winning MTS College team, who have spent the past eight years coaching and preparing young performers with a 100% success rate of progression into top-tier drama institutions such as RADA, ArtsEd, Mountview, GSA, Laine, Urdang and prestigious American academies.
Alumni have gone on to feature in West End productions like Clueless, Cabaret, Matilda, and many more.
The Arts North Studios team brings together a powerhouse lineup of seasoned professionals from across stage, screen, and education:
• Lori Smedley – The North East’s renowned choreographer and creative leader
• Luke Maddison – Stage and screen actor (Netflix, BBC, Live theatre, Northern Stage, Royal court.
• Dr. Robin Harrison – Internationally recognised musical director and vocal coach
• Caren Rowe – Multi-award-winning dance educator and winner of the prestigious Carl Alan award, running Lumsdale theatre arts for over 44 years
The team will also be joined by additional guest lecturers and resident tutors from the West End, Broadway, and television industries.
Courses on Offer:
Arts North Studios launches with a progressive curriculum designed to support multiple entry points into the performing arts industry starting with a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Musical Theatre and an Advanced 1-Year Intensive in Musical Theatre.
Plans are also underway for a BA (Hons) Degree in Musical Theatre, expanding into Acting for Stage and Screen, and Technical Theatre.
Delivered in collaboration with Ofsted Outstanding-rated Sunderland College, the curriculum fuses academic rigour with hands-on, performance-driven learning, giving students a truly comprehensive foundation.
Mike Chapman, Sunderland College’s Bede Campus Principal, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Annie Guy and Culture Quarter to launch Arts North Studios, a changemaking collaboration which will transform performing arts education in the North East.
“We’re incredibly proud of the success we’ve already achieved with Annie and the MTS College team which has seen students progress into top drama schools and professional careers.
“Arts North Studios will not only enhance training opportunities within the performing arts industry but also contributes to an exciting new era for arts, performance, and music in Sunderland – empowering the next generation of creative talent to thrive locally and globally.”
Visit artsnorthstudios.com for further information on the courses on offer.
Sunderland College, as part of college group EPNE, receives an Outstanding rating across the board in its latest Ofsted inspection.
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98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
