[2] Although open to applicants from all backgrounds, META was designed to offer an opportunity for underprivileged, talented youth to upskill by means of workshops, master classes and special events.

With the help of industry professionals, participants are instructed in areas of performance, directing, writing, producing, stage management, lighting, set design, costumes, and makeup application.

[3] In collaboration with the Kevin Spacey Foundation (KSF), on January 25, 2015, META also launched Home Grown — an initiative to discover and train young artistic talent across the Middle East.

From over a group of 300 applicants, 34 young men and women from 12 countries were selected to complete the inaugural edition of the two-week training programme in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

It was inspired by the lives of displaced youth across the Middle East, and specifically commissioned for the Home Grown students to perform to an audience at the Sharjah Institute for Theatrical Arts.