who is about to start a job as musical

However, it’s not a familiar face they are seeing reciting the words. Not even someone harbouring dreams of making it in Hollywood or London’s West End.

No, the actress under the bright spotlight has managed to fit in the many hours of practice around the focus of her day-to-day routine, saving lives.

For many, amateur dramatic companies may seem a thing of the past – your grandparents taking part in the annual play in the village hall, with everyone turning out to see who’s been cast in the lead roles.

However, in these modern times of instant entertainment at your fingertips, community theatre is still going strong as an outlet for those who want to perform to more than just a camera phone.

Emily Goad, 23, currently teaches piano and singing and is a member of Edinburgh Music Theatre, a company who is putting the finishing touches to their latest production, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

For Emily, who is about to start a job as musical director of a new Edinburgh choir, being part of the community theatre group has given her the chance to see the unexpected people who are part of the thespian community.

"Everyone is completely different and they’re there for all sorts of different reasons. It’s a wonderful mix of vets, doctors, lawyers and it’s a hobby for them," she said.

"There’re a few community theatre groups knocking around in Edinburgh. I’d been quite blind to it as I had been swept up in university societies, but there’s a great community theatre vibe in the city.

"They’ll come and see us perform and we go and see them so we’re all really supportive of each other."

Even with her musical background, Emily, who is one of eight principal cast members in the production, says going along to her first session with Edinburgh Music Theatre (EMT) was still daunting.

The Edinburgh University graduate said: "This is my first year with EMT.

"I’m a bit of a classical music bunny but I knew people who’d done it before and said it was really good.

"Amazingly, it’s been great, even though I was a bit nervous.

"Everyone’s open and friendly and they chat away."

And while Emily may be one of the newest faces to the company, she is joining a part of Edinburgh’s theatre history dating back more than 30 years.

The company was formed in 1982 to perform large-scale musicals in the city’s theatres. During its 31 years, as well as giving the city’s residents the chance to unleash their inner actor or actress, it’s also seen some of its stars move on to roles in the West End and on the international stage.

"The great thing about EMT is that before opening night you’re fully prepared in advance," she said.

"It’s a brilliant stepping stone for people like me who want to go into performance. You get to learn how it all works in a relaxed environment.

"Our latest play is funny - very funny. Set in the late 50s early 60s, it’s about a young man who is a window washer and it’s the story is about how he rises up in the business world."

She starts to giggle as she says: "There’s a love interest too – that’s me."

And being involved in the show has given all the cast members – musicians, vets and lawyers alike – the chance to learn a new skill.

And while some may brush off amateur theatre as a small way to cling onto the community spirit of old, for Emily, it’s also given her a chance to see how much times have changed since her grandparents and the grandparents of many others took to their village hall stages to perform the annual recital.