Our School
Hoi Polloi Academy, established in 2013 by Marco Antonio Calleja, is a leading performing arts school in Malta, dedicated to nurturing young talent in drama, dance, singing, and musical theatre. The academy prides itself on its commitment to artistic excellence, offering a vibrant environment where students can explore and develop their creative potential under the guidance of experienced educators and industry professionals.
Combining traditional techniques with contemporary practices, Hoi Polloi Academy ensures that students receive a comprehensive education in the performing arts. The academy's dynamic community fosters creativity and collaboration, empowering students to express themselves through performance.
Our Ethos
At Hoi Polloi Academy, we are deeply committed to nurturing the creative spirit within every individual. Our ethos is built upon our "Three Es" approach: Engage, Explore, and Express. These pillars guide everything we do and reflect our dedication to providing a holistic performing arts education.
-
Engage: We believe in creating an inclusive and dynamic environment where every student feels inspired to participate and take risks. By engaging with diverse artistic disciplines, students discover their passions and develop a love for learning that extends beyond the stage.
-
Explore: We encourage our students to push the boundaries of their creativity, exploring different facets of the performing arts. This exploration fosters critical thinking, resilience, and adaptability, preparing them for success in any field they choose to pursue.
-
Express: At the core of our academy is the belief that every student has a unique voice. We empower our students to express themselves authentically, whether through acting, dance, music, or other artistic mediums. This expression not only builds self-confidence but also enriches our community by celebrating diversity and creativity.
Through these guiding principles, Hoi Polloi Academy not only aims to develop exceptional performers but also well-rounded individuals who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to society.
Hoi Polloi Academy has earned both local and international recognition for its exceptional programs.
A significant highlight is winning the prestigious Achievement in Acting Award at the Junior Theatre Festival organised by Music Theatre International (MTI) in Birmingham. This accolade is a testament to the academy’s dedication to excellence and the outstanding talent of its students, solidifying its reputation on the international stage.
Beyond regular classes, the academy actively participates in various local and international events, providing students with opportunities to showcase their skills on prestigious platforms. This commitment to fostering artistic and personal growth has made Hoi Polloi Academy a cornerstone of Malta's cultural and educational landscape.
Junior School
Our Junior School introduces young children to the performing arts through play, imagination, music, movement and storytelling. Students gradually develop confidence, creativity and the foundations of acting, singing and movement, preparing them naturally for the Musical Theatre pathway introduced in Middle School.
Young Performers Level 1 - Age 3 | Entry Level
The beginning of the HPA journey.
A playful introduction to the performing arts created specifically for our youngest students. Through stories, music, movement, imagination and creative play, children are encouraged to communicate, participate and express themselves with growing confidence.
Young Performers Level 2
Students continue exploring performance through acting, singing, movement and imaginative play, while developing listening skills, coordination, communication and confidence within a group.
Learning remains experiential and creative, allowing students to become increasingly comfortable expressing themselves through performance.
Young Performers Level 3 & Level 4
Young Performers Level 3
Students begin taking greater ownership of their performance work, developing stronger foundations across acting, singing and movement while building confidence as part of an ensemble.
Young Performers Level 4
The final stage of our Young Performers pathway.
Students begin bringing their skills together with greater emphasis on performance, ensemble work and the foundations of Musical Theatre.
This prepares them naturally for the transition into Middle School and Musical Theatre Year 1.
Exam & Performance Pathway
At Young Performers Levels 3 and 4, students can opt to take their training further through our Exam & Performance Pathway.
This is an additional weekly class taken alongside the student's Recreational programme, introducing more focused coaching, rehearsal discipline and performance preparation.
The Recreational programme remains the foundation of every student's HPA training.
Middle School
Building the Musical Theatre Foundations
Middle School marks the transition into Hoi Polloi Academy's dedicated Musical Theatre pathway. Students develop their skills across Acting, Singing and Dance, learning how the three disciplines work together in performance.
Musical Theatre Year 2 & Year 3
Musical Theatre Year 2
Students build upon their introductory Musical Theatre training, developing stronger technical foundations and greater confidence across all three disciplines.
Musical Theatre Year 3
Training progresses towards stronger technique, musicality, character work and ensemble performance. Students are encouraged to become increasingly confident and independent in the way they approach their work.
Musical Theatre Year 4
The final stage of Middle School.
Students consolidate their foundations across Acting & Speaking, Singing & Music and Dance & Movement while developing the confidence, discipline and ensemble awareness required for progression into Senior School.
Musical Theatre Year 4 can also provide an important entry point for older students beginning structured Musical Theatre training, allowing them to establish the necessary foundations before progressing further.
Exam & Performance Pathway
Middle School students can take their training further through our Exam & Performance Pathway.
Taken alongside the Recreational programme, this additional weekly class provides more focused coaching while developing technique, rehearsal discipline, ensemble skills and performance confidence.
Depending on the Academy's artistic cycle, students work towards examinations or major Academy productions.
Senior School
Developing the Performer
Senior School encourages students to take increasing ownership of their training.
Students work with greater depth across Acting & Speaking, Singing & Music and Dance & Movement, developing technique, artistic independence and confidence while preparing for increasingly advanced opportunities.
Musical Theatre Year 7 & Year 8
Musical Theatre Year 7
Training moves towards increasingly sophisticated performance work, requiring greater independence, discipline and ownership from students.
Musical Theatre Year 8
An advanced stage of Academy training.
Students work with increasing artistic independence and are encouraged to approach their training with greater discipline, ownership and professionalism, while continuing to develop across Acting, Singing and Dance.
Musical Theatre Year 9
Transitioning Beyond the Academy
The final stage of the Musical Theatre pathway prepares students to move beyond the traditional Academy class structure and towards company-based theatre-making.
Students are encouraged to apply their training with greater artistic independence while preparing for opportunities such as Hoi Polloi Youths.
Exam & Performance Pathway
Senior School students wishing to undertake a greater level of training and performance commitment can combine their Recreational programme with the Exam & Performance Pathway.
The additional weekly class develops stronger technique, rehearsal discipline, ensemble work and performance confidence while preparing students for examinations or major productions according to the Academy's artistic cycle.
The Exam & Performance Pathway must always be taken alongside the corresponding Recreational programme.
Specialist Training
Develop Your Craft
Specialist Training gives students the opportunity to focus more deeply on a particular area of their performing arts development.
These classes complement our Musical Theatre pathway while also providing opportunities for students who want to develop specific technical skills through focused weekly training.
Jazz Technique
Strength. Technique. Performance.
Dedicated Jazz training focused on developing technique, strength, flexibility, coordination, musicality and performance quality.
Students work on the technical foundations that support stronger, more confident dance performance while developing the precision and versatility required across Musical Theatre and commercial styles.
Tap
Rhythm. Musicality. Technique.
Tap training develops rhythm, coordination, musicality and technical confidence, encouraging students to understand themselves not only as dancers but as musicians.
Beginning with strong foundations, students progressively develop vocabulary, timing and performance skills through practical, energetic training.
Contemporary Dance - Juniors
Discover Movement.
An introduction to Contemporary Dance that encourages students to explore movement, coordination, creativity and physical expression.
Students develop fundamental technique while discovering new ways of communicating and expressing ideas through movement.
Contemporary Dance - Intermediate
Develop Your Movement.
For students ready to take their Contemporary training further.
Classes develop technique, strength, physical awareness, movement quality and artistic expression, encouraging students to approach movement with greater confidence and individuality.
Individual Tuition
Training Focused on You
Sometimes a student benefits from having the space to work individually.
Our Individual Tuition provides focused, personalised coaching designed around each student's development, goals and individual training needs.
Sessions may take place one-to-one or as a carefully matched duo, allowing our tutors to recommend the format that will provide the strongest learning experience for each student.
Individual Singing Coaching
Develop Your Voice.
Personalised Singing coaching focused on developing healthy vocal technique, musicianship, confidence and performance.
Training is tailored to the individual singer, allowing students to develop their voice while working towards appropriate repertoire, performances, auditions or other personal goals.
How Individual Tuition Works
Places for Individual Tuition are limited and are allocated following registration and tutor review.
Our tutors consider each student's age, experience, development and training needs before confirming the most appropriate lesson duration, individual or duo format and timetable allocation.
This allows us to create a learning arrangement that supports the student rather than simply allocating lessons according to booking order.
Performance Companies
Beyond Training. Into Performance.
Our Performance Companies provide a space for young performers ready to make a deeper commitment to ensemble work, artistic development and live performance.
Unlike our regular Academy classes, these companies follow their own artistic programmes and performance schedules.
Full information about each company can be found on its dedicated page.
Musikidz
Hoi Polloi's Show Choir
Age 8+ | By Audition
Musikidz brings together young singers who share a passion for music, performance and storytelling through song.
Combining vocal training, musicianship, harmony, movement and stagecraft, the Show Choir prepares its members for concerts, showcases and performance opportunities throughout its Artistic Season.
Hoi Polloi Youths
Advanced Youth Theatre Company
Age 15–24
Hoi Polloi Youths provides the next step for young artists ready to move beyond traditional weekly training and experience theatre as a creative company.
Members train, create, rehearse, produce and perform while developing artistic independence, leadership and an understanding of theatre-making both on and off stage.
The bridge between the Academy and the Theatre Company.
Find your place.
From first steps in the performing arts to advanced training and company-based performance, there is a pathway through Hoi Polloi for every stage of the journey.
ENGAGE | EXPLORE | EXPRESS
THEATRE FOR ALL.
Our Staff
Leadership & Administration
Young Performers
Acting & Speaking
Singing & Music
Dance & Movement
Academy Support
School Life
Explore School Life at Hoi Polloi Academy, where we foster artistic and personal growth through dedicated attendance, uniform standards, classroom readiness, healthy eating, and specialised class tracks. Our holistic approach ensures every student excels in performing arts and life skills.
School Productions
31st Oct, 1st & 2nd November 2025
22nd & 23rd March 2025
November 2023
November 2022
Musical Mania
June 2019
May 2018
31st Oct, 1st & 2nd November 2025
The Creative Express
Hoi Polloi’s The Creative Express Summer School combines performing arts with cross-curricular education through engaging morning and afternoon programmes. Open to all ages, it offers a dynamic approach to learning by integrating drama, music, and dance, fostering creativity while reinforcing academic concepts and essential skills.