ABOUT
USPA
The University Students of Performing Arts Association (USPA) is a university-based student association within the School of Performing Arts at the University of Malta aiming to encourage interdisciplinarity by providing students with opportunities to promote the Performing Arts.
​
Since its establishment in July 2012, the School of Performing Arts (SPA) has brought together the Departments of Dance Studies, Music Studies, Theatre Studies and Performing Arts together. However, both students and lecturers acknowledged the need for a further sense of interdisciplinarity within the School. In March 2015, the school set up a Student Board.
This led to the establishment of USPA — The University Students of Performing Arts Association. Since then, USPA has further encouraged and assisted the creative and professional development of all performing arts students and enthusiasts on UM's campus by creating performance and writing opportunities, job shadowing placements within the arts and culture industry in Malta, and creating a community of students that allows for socialising, networking, and collaboration.
Meet the USPA Team
USPA is run by an Executive Board which is managed yearly by a team of University students in their spare time.
President
Brendon Thearle (he/him)
Brendon entered the world of theatre at the age of five and since then has performed, directed and produced a number of performances both locally and abroad. He is also currently studying for a Bachelor of Theatre (Honours) degree at the University of Malta. When he isn't busy creating theatre (or studying), he likes to watch a good movie, play Cities: Skylines (other video games included) or read a good book - and he loves to take his dog out for walkies too!
Secretary General
Alex Jatosti (he/they)
Originally from Italy, Alex moved to Malta for his studies, seeking an international environment and an educational approach focused on critical thinking. He has a love for musicology, the humanities, academia and travel. Music, in different shapes and forms, has always been a fundamental part of his life. What frustrates him the most is not being able to sing all four parts at once in a choral piece.
Financial Officer
Lilla Kedves (she/her)
Lilla is an aspiring theatremaker, fond of physical theatre, interdisciplinary performances, and philosophy. Coming from Hungary, she has always believed in the social influence of theatre and has recently developed an interest in art activism. Over the past two years as a B. Performing Arts student, she has fallen in love with butoh dance, playing the sitar, and post-dramatic puppetry. You can never be sure at which part of Europe you'll catch her, she is always on the move. Just this summer, she visited at least seven countries!
Vice-President
Gwen Camilleri (she/her)
Gwen's passion revolves around the world of performing arts. Throughout her life, she has actively performed in various productions and also shares her knowledge by teaching performing arts. Presently, she is pursuing a B.A. degree in Music Studies and Psychology. When she's not singing harmonies or busy being a social butterfly, Gwen enjoys reading, cooking, cuddling her cats, photography and immersing herself in a captivating murder mystery series.
Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Antea Buro (she/her)
Attending the Liceo Classico in Italy, Antea trained professionally both in ballet and contemporary dance and moved to Malta to continue her studies. She is deeply fascinated by the ancient world and the movement’s power of concreteness. Her practical as well as academic research concerns dance as a way to preserve and defend cultural heritage through embodiment, particularly focusing on the word’s historical and cultural value. When she is not super busy with university life, she loves watching performances with friends, reading poetry and deepening classical etymology.