Stories with Impact: Garry Collins, Lecturer

UHI Moray would be nothing without our dedicated lecturing staff who support our students in shaping their lives. Garry Collins, Performing Arts Course Lead at UHI Moray, is one such lecturer.

With a career rooted in professional acting and a heart devoted to education, Garry has transformed the performing arts landscape at UHI Moray.

Lighting Up the Room

If you’re lucky enough to be in a room with Garry, your world is about to get brighter. Known for his legendary humour and boundless generosity, Garry makes everyone feel like the most important person in the world. As the course lead for Performing Arts, he’s not just a lecturer, he’s a creator, a mentor, and a quiet pillar of support for students, colleagues, and parents alike.

From Stage to Classroom

As some will know, Garry trained and worked as a professional actor and is currently the Creative Director at Out of the Darkness Theatre Company in Elgin.

He joined the UHI Moray team in 2012, having identified a gap in performing arts education and worked tirelessly to develop and deliver the NC Acting and Theatre Performance Course. The success of which was immediate.

Driven by demand, he introduced the HNC Acting and Performance course, followed by the UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Award and Diploma in Performing and Production Arts in 2020. In 2024, his team expanded their offering again to include the NPA in Acting and Performance, opening doors for senior secondary pupils without access to drama in their schools.

He is now planning on introducing the HND Acting and Performance Course in 2026, along with a new NPA in Dance.

At the Heart of It All

Garry doesn’t just build, create and develop courses. He is the beating heart of the delivery, right at the core of the curriculum and the classroom. He cares about every student, every member of his team, and the whole community that surrounds them. He instils confidence in each and every one of them to not just become theatre makers and artists, but to seek out the utter joy in everything they experience and understand every minute detail with an eagerness that is contagious.

His students come from all walks of life, and his instinctive understanding of individual needs creates a safe, inclusive space where students grow not only as artists but as people. They gain life skills, build communities, and support one another in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.

Transformative Teaching

Performing Arts courses can be demanding, but Garry’s unique ability to push students beyond their comfort zones leads to spectacular growth. His pep talks are legendary, stirring hope in everyone who hears them, and he is always there in moments of triumph and struggle, offering quiet support and unwavering belief.

Garry’s teaching materials are fresh, relevant, and engaging. His productions break the mould while staying rooted in curriculum. He leads a team of passionate educators who share his vision, inspired daily by his energy and commitment.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Garry has made a significant and lasting contribution to his students who often begin their journeys quiet and unsure before emerging confident and articulate. Many come from challenging backgrounds, yet every single one feels seen, heard, and valued. Garry empowers them to dream big, believe in themselves, and pursue their goals with courage.