Magill Musical Theatre Studio & The Listening Lounge — Local services in Tyler

One year review of MMTS, How to become a star

The Magills I have had the ultimate fortune of training under both Matt and Megan Magill, two undoubtably talented Broadway stars. Mr and Mrs.Magill will push you to your limits and are not afraid of a good challenge. They nurture the actors talent and challenges their fears. They're undoubtably effective with fighting whatever problem you face, whether it be shyness or sociability. Mrs.Magill will train you to be a Broadway star and Mr.Magill will make sure you can sing lights out and it's shows through every person and idea in this studio. They have made me ten times the actor I was since I joined. When I started I was a little shy knowing almost no one in the studio but they saw potential where I had no idea there was. Mrs.Magill would always react when I did something experimental for a skit and never made me feel embarrassed or ashamed when they weren't good. Likewise she made me feel great when they were good. They are an active part in the studio and actively bonding with each student. Mrs.Magill takes her time to understand what each student is good at and encourages it while seeing what could take improvement and giving helpful advice.

The Environment Magill is the only Pre-Professional theatre studio in East Texas and it treats itself that way. Everything about the studio from the people to the events are so high quality. Every bit of training and class time is put to use in making sure you are the best you can be in that moment. No one laughs at you for experimenting on a bit. No one would ever treat you with any ounce of embarrassment or shame because you tried. Everyone tries their best and the outcome are actors and actresses who try and try until they succeed setting themselves up for the best future in the acting industry.

The Students The other students are what make the studio. Each with their own quirks and extreme levels of personality and talent. Every single soul in this studio could sell out their own one person show if they wanted to. From record breaking Jimmy award winners to songwriters and State award winners this studio is jam packed with great people. Even when you seem like you have so much less talent than these people they hoist you up and encourage you, treat you like family. The people in this studio are not only some of the funniest most creative people you'll ever encounter they are all kind, deep hearted people that will lift you up to higher levels and encourage you in the theatre. When you need these people they are always there for you. I have met some of the greatest people and some of my best friends at this studio who have helped me through hard times, falling into orchestra pits, and unconfidence. There will always be someone to have your back in this studio, no one is alone and the classes and show allow for the most exceptional bonding.

The Shows Broadway. One word to describe what I saw when I watched "Good luck with your ending", which happened to be the same word my parents used when describing what it was like seeing me on "That was then". These shows bring four liters of magic, a tablespoon of comedy, and a teaspoon of tragedy into everyone's lives that get to watch the absolute gem of each musical. Each show is also unique and build around each actor's and actresses' strengths. Mrs.Magill writes each show originally each year around each and every actor and plays to their strengths. There is NEVER a dull role because each person's character is their own. Each song masterfully chosen and split apart to fit the narrative. Each show artistically carved with an unique message that sticks with the audience. As for the Listening Lounge events each one brings a sense of hype and community. It's the first event I went to where I thought to myself, "This is what music is really about". Each event is special in its own way, but it's impossible not to have fun. You can REALLY tell both of the Magills care for what they've created and put intense care and thought into every detail.

I LOVE...

While this program may be a wonderful fit for some, our experience with MMTS unfortunately fell short of its stated goal to foster growth and a love for performing. Over the course of her time here, our daughter’s excitement and confidence were gradually eroded—not by the demands of the program, but by an environment where feedback often felt personal rather than constructive.

We ultimately made the difficult decision to withdraw from the program, which is not something we take lightly. In nearly every other case, we’ve encouraged our children to see things through, even when challenging. But in this situation, the emotional toll had already been taken.

Megan Magill puts on an impressive, high-level production, and the promotional work she does is undeniably strong. However, that excellence appears to come at the expense of emotional well-being for some students. It’s unclear what determines which students are treated with encouragement and which face consistently harsh treatment—and at times, that dynamic shifts quickly from supportive to demeaning, creating confusion...

As a parent of a teenage musician, finding the right environment where they can grow both technically and socially can be challenging. The Groove School has been such a game-changer for us. More than just a music school, The Groove School offers children the unique opportunity to learn music in a collaborative, real-world setting. Our daughter says that stepping out of her comfort zone and participating in the Magills’ Groove School is not only the thing she is most proud of during her high school years, but was also the most fun! Playing in the weekend shows helped her build confidence in her abilities and strengthened her love for sharing music. This program values collaboration and personal growth over competition and we could not be more thankful for the opportunities the Magills have given...