Explore contemporary performance to develop your creativity, critical thinking and practical skills for a career in creative industries and beyond

Drama in the School of Arts and Humanities provides an exciting and challenging programme with an emphasis on contemporary performance practices. Our approach to teaching and learning integrates theories and practices of performance in order to extend our understanding of Drama as an art form in its social, political and cultural contexts.

Our expert lecturing staff are internationally-recognised researchers with a range of industry-related experience. Students are able to take advantage of our nationally-acknowledged teaching expertise and will have opportunities to extend their experience of contemporary performance practices through contact with part-time staff and key visiting lecturers. The Drama programmes benefit from extensive links with theatre practitioners and key Irish theatre companies, who use our spaces for performances and delivering practice-based workshops.

Drama allows students to learn in a rigorous and stimulating environment where they are encouraged to develop essential skills as thinking creative practitioners.

This course is suitable for 16-18 year olds wanting to work in television, film or the theatre, either in performance or technical support. Employment within the industry not only depends on talent, but also a sense of determination to succeed.

You will experience different performance styles, try out new ideas and gain an understanding of the performing arts industry at Barnet and Southgate College. Projects are largely based on practical assignments and performances, with some written exercises and evaluations.

You will study some of the following areas of performance:

There will be a series of practical assignments varying from informal small group presentations to larger public performances.

Are you an aspiring musician who is looking to create a new single or EPK? Are you looking for opportunities to be able to know how to take control of your content creation and record and perform your own songs?

This course is all about creating a portfolio to attract new opportunities, to rehearse your own original music and gain valuable industry feedback and to improve your own performance and production skills.

You will be getting an insight into artist development through performance activities and analytical problem solving based on your original material. Having a sense of ownership of your creativity and intellectual property is integral in the Music Industry, and we want to harness this methodology and refine the process in which your music is made, produced and performed.

Are you an aspiring musician looking to start creating and performing your own music? Do you want to learn how to produce tracks, rehearse with others, and grow your confidence as a performer?

This course is the perfect starting point to help you explore your musical creativity, gain essential industry knowledge, and develop your skills in music performance and production.

This hands-on, practical course helps you build a portfolio of original music and live performance work. You’ll learn how to take control of your music, from developing song ideas to recording and performing them. You’ll also collaborate with others, gain feedback on your work, and begin to understand how the music industry operates. We’ll guide you through key aspects of artist development, help you understand your creative rights, and teach you how to present yourself professionally in both live and recorded settings.

We hope the Studio will be a home for playwrights of all levels of experience, helping us to connect and making a range of opportunities accessible in a joined-up, sustained writing package.

If you become a member of the Studio (it’s completely free!) you can access:

This course will provide you with the opportunity to explore, develop and test your creativity within a qualification structure which is stimulating, demanding and supportive. It will offer you an excellent opportunity to develop all-round and transferable skills in all aspect of the make-up industry.

You will explore SFX, Prosthetics, Stage Make-Up and Hair, Period Make-Up and Hair, Body Art, Fashion and Fantasy. Alongside these specialisms you will also work on both small and large scale productions throughout the year, such as musicals and plays to design and realise the make-up and hair designs.

This will support your experience and expertise when planning and executing your Final Major Project, where you take on ownership and responsibility of managing the success of a collaborative performance.

ABTT's Apprenticeship Network is free to join!

The purpose of this group is to:

This group in open to current, future and past Apprentices.

These pathways are tailored for emerging Directors, Choreographers, Musical Directors, Designers, Lighting Designers, Stage Managers, Wardrobe Assistants and Technicians aged 16 to 23 who are in training or recently graduated from Higher Education.

Applications are open for 2025. There is £25 application fee which gives access to preparatory online sessions, offering skill building and group mentorship. Following these sessions you will have the opportunity to apply for a specific role on a production.

Every year, we run courses around the UK for young people ages 14 to 25 who want to become members of the National Youth Theatre.

Entry to these courses is via audition only, and auditions are held between October 2024 and March 2025. There are three different routes you can take to audition, depending on where you’re based and how much availability you have:

You can only audition via one route each year, so have a read through each one before applying to decide which option works best for you.

Save the Date | 3 February 2026

Following last years inaugural event, we're delighted to be inviting the next generation of curious minds to another unmissable day of discovery in the creative industries. Dive into inspiring sessions with creative organisations large and small. Meet with artists, designers, tattooists, theatre-makers, writers and creatives, and find out about careers that you didn’t even know existed.

Whether you're curious about theatre, visual arts, design, writing, music or beyond, this event is crafted to ignite your potential, spark ideas, and show you the endless possibilities ahead. If you’re a student choosing GCSE options, next step pathways, or you’re ready to survey the employment landscape, then this careers fair is for you.

Focussing on creative roles across a variety of industries, this is your opportunity to access presentations, panel discussions, TED-style talks, interactive stands, competitions, CV sessions – all led by professionals at the top of their game.    

Receive guidance, and quiz experts on apprenticeships, trainee schemes, career pathways and employment opportunities. Whether you’re looking to explore design, writing, music, a skilled trade, technical production, digital creation, gaming, public speaking, theatre or more, we can help.

The Creative Industries Careers Day is free to attend but booking is essential.  We recommend a minimum three-hour visit, either for the morning or afternoon session. Keynote presentations and discussions will take place between 11.45 – 1.15pm, at the beginning or end of your visit.  

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