The AEA Story
Our Founder
Shanna Logan DipTCL, BA (Hons), PGDE
Principal, Shanna Logan was born in Aberdeen and from an early age, Shanna studied Speech and Drama, completing all levels of the examinations by the age of 14.
Shanna moved to London after gaining a DADA award to study musical theatre at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts – Britain’s and the world’s oldest theatre school. Throughout the 3 year course, she gained invaluable experience in all aspects of musical theatre, acting, voice production, stage combat and fitness.
After graduating, Shanna signed with a London agency and in 2018, completed her BA Honours degree in Acting through Middlesex University.
Shanna has many years of experience in performing & teaching all ages from babies up to adults. She is Disclosure Scotland & DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) checked and has qualifications in paediatric first aid and child protection. Shanna holds a Level 2 Estill Voice Training (EVT) qualification, a programme for developing vocal skills based on analysing the process of vocal production into control of specific structures in the vocal mechanism.
Shanna continues to work professionally as an actor and voiceover artist and is also the lead agent for AEA Management, children’s talent agency, which she runs alongside AEA.
When COVID Lockdown hit, Shanna decided to return to Uni and in July 2022 she graduated from University of Aberdeen with a Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Education – Drama (PGDE). This qualification takes what AEA can offer students to another level.
Our Ethos
At AEA, we are dedicated to creating a nurturing and welcoming community where individuals of all ages can develop their skills through acting, dancing and singing. Our mission is to empower every student, no matter what age, to achieve their full potential and become confident, well-rounded individuals who are passionate about the arts. Through our commitment to excellence, inclusivity and individual attention, we strive to inspire a lifelong love of performing arts. When you join AEA, you join our family.
Our Patron
George Rae
George Rae, a multi-talented performer and acclaimed vocal coach, trained at top institutions such as The Ian Tomlin School of Music, The Royal Academy of Music, and The University of Greenwich.
As an actor, he has appeared in numerous West End and touring productions, including Disney’s The Lion King and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and has won awards for his performances at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. He is also in high demand as a vocal coach at prestigious schools such as the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Bird College, and the Urdang Academy.
Our staff
Ben
Ben is a multi instrumentalist and musical director, primarily working in woodwind performance and tuition in Aberdeenshire. Having graduated in 2015 with a BMus (Hons) in Music and Communities, Ben is a keen advocate for children and young adults’ musical theatre – currently providing musical direction for AEA Musical Theatre classes & AEA Productions.
He has performed as a pit musician for numerous shows, including Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Producers, Sweet Charity, Dogfight, Into The Woods and Fame.
Ben has also conducted many shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, and across Scotland – in Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. These include AEA Productions Grease (School Edition), Legally Blonde, American Idiot, Avenue Q, Spring Awakening, Les Miserables (School Edition), amongst others.
