About Us
Nikki McCabe
Founder and Artistic Director of Livewire Theatre Company, Teacher of Drama and Musical Theatre
Nikki McCabe founded Livewire Theatre Company in 2007 and has seen it grow into a thriving theatre school for children and young people of all levels of ability. Nikki is highly experienced in both performing and teaching. Nikki graduated with a BA honours degree in Drama from University of Sunderland in 2005 and was awarded a Post Graduate Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE) from University of Dundee in 2018. Nikki is currently studying a part-time Master’s in Education (MEd) in the Arts at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) where she is about to enter her third and final year. Nikki has very much enjoyed being part of a global learning community at the RCS where her focus has been to enhance her professional practice, enrich the quality of her learners’ experiences at Livewire Theatre Company and contribute to the improvement of arts education for all.
Nikki began her career touring as an actor in Theatre in Education (T.I.E) for two years with Baldy Bane Theatre Company. It was during T.I.E. tours that Nikki realised the true value and impact of Arts Education for young people which led to the creation of Livewire Theatre Company where she fused her passion for education, the arts and performance. Alongside running Livewire Theatre Co, Nikki was also a full-time lecturer in Performing Arts at Ayrshire College for twelve years where she taught and assessed students at Higher, NC, HNC and HND level. Nikki left her teaching position in June 2019 to devote herself to the further development and growth of Livewire Theatre Company. Nikki’s primary focus at Livewire Theatre Company is to ensure that all pupils receive a high-quality learning experience where they are encouraged and inspired to express themselves freely and to be part of a unique and exciting theatre community. Nikki strongly believes that the participation in drama and arts-rich experiences develops young people’s transferable life and work skills, improves academic attainment, cultivates confidence and communication and promotes teamwork and community engagement. Nikki believes that Drama and the Arts help to prepare young people for the ‘performance of life!”
Throughout her career, Nikki has directed over 100 performances at Further & Higher Education, Youth Theatre and Professional level, with a key highlight being staging a performance of Angels by Pauline McLynn at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. In the past, Nikki has been heavily involved in charity work and combines this with her passion for the arts. Nikki visited Romania and contributed to the formation of a local youth arts programme for under privileged children. Nikki also spent two weeks in Kenya in 2014 delivering drama and dance to school children and local arts enthusiasts in Nakuru, Kenya.
Alison Hunter
Teacher of Dance, Musical Theatre & Singing
Alison trained at the MGA Academy where she gained a BA Honours in Degree Musical Theatre. Since graduating Alison’s credits include; Aladdin (Beacon Arts Centre), Lead Vocalist (Siblu Villages) and Beauty and the Beast (Beacon Arts Centre). Alison is thrilled to be working with Livewire Theatre Co and sharing her passion for the arts with the next generation of superstars! Alison’s ethos is ‘dream big and never give up!’
Jodie Robertson
Teacher of Voice, Singing and Acting
Jodie is a professional actor, theatre-maker, singer-songwriter and musician from Ayrshire. Jodie received her HND in Acting and Performance in 2019 and has since performed at locations such as Theatre Royal Dumfries and The Wigtown Book Festival. She has carried out various projects with Performance Collective Stranraer, such as an online play titled ‘Hold Out Your Hand’ and the sell-out show ‘Unsupervised Adulting’.
Jodie is a musician and singer-songwriter and has been active in the Scottish music scene for several years. She has performed at numerous established events and venues including the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, Audio Glasgow and DMC’s The PLAZA and the highly renowned Celtic Connections Festival. Jodie has also worked with the Young Promoters Group, producing three original pieces for a British Sign Language (BSL) performance. As a theatre-maker and musician, Jodie is very passionate about making art accessible to all and as inclusive as possible. She integrates these passions with her teaching, by aiming to make the learning experience for each pupil as engaging and enjoyable as possible whilst also allowing all pupils to develop and showcase their skills.
Jodie has been a member of the Livewire Theatre Co family for several years. Initially as a backstage manager at productions during her own studies and subsequently as a teacher of Voice, Singing and Acting at weekly classes and holiday camps.
Abigail Macleod
Administrator, Marketing Manager and Project Coordinator
Abigail’s journey with Livewire began as a pupil, where her passion for the arts ignited and flourished over several years. Her dedication and enthusiasm led her to volunteer as a class assistant, then transition into a teaching role, where she excelled in sharing her passion for Livewire and performing through her role. Despite pursuing her studies in dentistry at the University of Dundee, Abigail remains deeply connected to Livewire, contributing remotely as an Administrative and Marketing Manager while balancing her academic pursuits. “Livewire isn’t just a job for me; it’s a cherished part of my life”. Abigail regularly returns to lead and coordinate classes, camps, and shows, back to the community that shaped her artistic and creative spirit.
Isla Duffy
Drama & Musical Theatre Class Assistant
Isla has been a student at Livewire Theatre Company for over 10 years and became a class assistant in 2022, supporting junior students in their classes and show time preparations. Isla is very passionate about working with children and due to being heavily involved in Livewire for over a decade, she serves as the perfect role model while guiding and supporting students. Building confidence and self-assurance is at the heart of Isla’s class assisting values, as she firmly believes that every child should leave our venues feeling proud of themselves!
Isla currently attends the Acting for Camera class and 1:1 Singing Lessons at Livewire Theatre Co, in which she continually strives to develop and hone her acting, singing and performance skills, allowing her to share her skills, experience and learning discoveries with junior students. Isla is now in S5, where she has studied a wide range of Higher Subjects, including Creative Industries, which has allowed her to gain new knowledge and skills in Set and Costume Design. Isla is delighted to share her passion for theatre and performing arts with the young performers at Livewire Theatre Co and hopes that she can contribute to igniting the same passion for the arts in them as Livewire did for her.
Rory Malcomson
Teacher of Dance and Musical Theatre
Rory is currently in his final year of study of Musical Theatre at GAMTA in Glasgow. Rory teaches Musical Theatre and Dance and is skilled in Singing, Acting, Jazz, Commercial and Tap. A former student of Livewire Theatre Co, Rory is especially excited to return as a teacher where he aims to share his passion for the arts and live performance with the students that he will be working with. His key aim is to instill the same passion in his students by supporting them to develop and progress in their existing skills whilst also introducing them to new elements of dance and performance. He believes that every student has the ability to reach their goals and achieve their dreams!
At Livewire Theatre Co, our friendly and experienced teaching team strive to ensure that students make consistent progress at weekly classes. We provide a fun, safe and supportive environment where our aim is to build confidence, foster new friendships, develop skills in performing arts and support young people to freely express themselves, helping them to meet their maximum creative potential.
We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service where we greatly value our pupils' families time! We continually strive to ensure that your experience is easy and hassle-free, from booking classes and holiday camps to your child being involved in our productions! We are exceptionally proud of the thriving theatre school that we have built and the opportunities, invaluable experiences and unforgettable memories that it offers young people!
Nikki McCabe, Director
Our girls both attended Livewire for over 10 years, since they were 3 & 5 years old. The experiences they have gained during this time have been invaluable. They performed in The Palace Theatre, were involved in all aspects of musical theatre & dance, gained self confidence & self worth which will stay with them forever. Even during lockdown Wednesday night was still Livewire night! They have both gone on to become helpers with the junior classes. But the biggest take away from attending Livewire has been the fun they have had! We would wholeheartedly recommend Livewire!
- David & Victoria McAulay
For more info or to book any of our classes, parties or camps, don't hesitate to get in touch and a member of the team will be happy to help!