The bright lights are calling and one Moreton Hall student is ready to shine

Moreton Hall student Megan Keaveny's powerful performance and talent for musical theatre got her to the final 13 of the prestigious West End Calling competition. Having heard about the competition from her teacher, Megan decided to try out - and beat thousands of other talented youngsters to a place in the final.

'I had my first audition back in November where I only had 90-seconds to impress the judges. So I had to really show them who I was. I performed 'Maybe This Time' from Cabaret.' Megan, 17, took part in three more rounds before to make it through to the final.

West End Calling is a nationwide competition which offers young performers the opportunity to showcase their talents in different venues throughout the country.

A year 12 student at the renowned Moreton Hall, an independent girl's school just over the Shropshire border, Megan is attaining the highest level in both Musical Theatre as well as the more traditional/classical genre. She is currently working towards her Diploma in Musical Theatre.

'I've been taking singing lessons for four years and I love it, but it wasn't until I came to Moreton Hall and took up drama that I discovered my love for acting. Musical theatre is now something I couldn't imagine not pursuing.'

With Megan's sights fixed firmly on the West End, you'd expect her to cite the usual suspects - the likes of Les Misérables or Wicked - as her inspiration, but instead she mentions the 1959 musical, Gypsy. 'I sang Rose's Turn from the musical in the final because I knew it wouldn't be something the judges had heard over and over again.'

Moreton Hall believes in the importance of nurturing their students' love for the arts; they are currently building a community theatre.

Despite not triumphing in the final, Megan's theatrical trajectory continues apace - this summer she was accepted into the National Youth Theatre programme. Her dream is to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and, eventually, land a role on the West End stage. 'I still have one year left of school but the aim is to go on and study at RADA. I first focused on more academic pursuits but I realised that I loved singing and the theatre too much to not make that my priority. I truly believe that if you love what you do then you'll be happy. And that's all I want.'