This full-time vocational course provides students with an artistically safe and supportive environment to develop their creative instincts while also preparing them for future training and career opportunities within the performing arts
The Certificate of Higher Education course is framed by a focus on discovery. You’ll be trained to develop your own personal skill strengths, cultivate independent growth, expand your artistic vocabulary and grow as a creative artist.
You’ll also gain an understanding of different vocational routes and will be given career tutorials to explore your next steps, alongside focussed audition preparation and 1:1 coaching on auditions.
A CertHE course is a great option for students from a wide range of backgrounds, whether you want to develop your skills before progressing to a three-year training option or as a standalone course before entering the industry directly.
The CertHE Acting course runs in several locations in partnership with leading arts venues, giving students the opportunity to study in some of the most creatively vibrant and exciting locations within the UK.
All course locations are led by Mountview staff and will cover the same syllabus.
COURSE CONTENT AND DELIVERY
Spanning over two terms of study, the CertHE course offers a fast-paced, vocational training environment.
Throughout the course students will investigate and develop their existing practical skills in Acting, as well as having the opportunity to work in a rehearsal setting and ultimately present a shared performance.
Students will develop acting, movement and associated skills and the training will also include:
This full-time vocational course provides you with an artistically safe and supportive environment, to develop your creative instincts and prepare for future training and career opportunities within the performing arts.
Gain an understanding of different vocational routes and benefit from career tutorials to explore your next steps, alongside focussed audition preparation and 1:1 coaching on auditions.
The Certificate of Higher Education course is framed by a focus on discovery. You’ll be trained to develop your own personal skill strengths, cultivate independent growth, expand your artistic vocabulary and grow as a creative artist.
A CertHE course is a great option for students from a wide range of backgrounds, whether you want to develop your skills before progressing to a 3-year training option or as a standalone course before entering the industry.
The CertHE Musical Theatre course runs in several locations in partnership with leading arts venues, giving students the opportunity to study in some of the most creatively vibrant & exciting locations within the UK.
All course locations are led by Mountview staff and will cover the same syllabus.
COURSE CONTENT AND DELIVERY
Spanning over two terms of study, the CertHE course offers a fast-paced, vocational training environment.
Throughout the course students will investigate and develop their existing practical skills in Musical Theatre, as well as having the opportunity to work in a rehearsal setting and ultimately present a shared performance.
Students will develop acting, singing, dance, artistic agency and associated skills, including:
Actor-musicians are increasingly in-demand performers who combine first-rate acting ability with a high level of musicianship.
Mountview’s Actor Musicianship course develops these dual skills to the highest level, enabling graduates to combine them in their performance.
Whilst a high level of prior musical experience is a pre-requisite, it is not necessary to have achieved formal music qualifications before applying.
COURSE CONTENT AND DELIVERY
Study takes place over three 12-week terms a year for three years. It is an actor training programme with specialised music elements. Students work in small classes and receive over 25 hours of direct teaching time each week, including one-to-one singing and instrumental lessons.
The course is delivered through classes, projects, workshops and performance opportunities. During the course students engage in a range of performance projects, working on Shakespeare, contemporary plays, and musicals as well as devising original work. The first half of each term is devoted to skills classes whilst in the second half of each term these skills are applied to performance projects.
In the second year, skills are further explored in collaboration classes which include peer integration and team teaching to enhance your creativity and help you to make connections between subjects.
Additionally, there is time given to tailored ‘surgeries’ to focus on detail and help develop independence and confidence in each individual’s practice.
We offer opportunities to explore technical theatre, stage management and design for young people aged 11-18.
Our courses and masterclasses give creative young people the opportunity to gain a real insight into drama school training and the wider 'backstage' industries. Specialist classes are delivered by a variety of professionals, in skills including lighting, sound, stage management, prop making, costume and set design.
Across a two-day short course, you will have the chance to try a variety of backstage roles and skills in a series of hands-on workshops with specialist tutors who are working professionals. No previous experience is necessary - just an interest in getting creative, an enjoyment of making things, and a willingness to get stuck in!
There are opportunities for anyone who is interested in learning some of the skills required for careers in:
We are committed to giving every young person aged 11 - 18 with a passion for theatre the opportunity to benefit from the specialist drama training delivered by RWCMD, regardless of experience or financial means.
We place great importance on making our courses accessible to all young people who have a genuine interest in theatre, if you have any questions regarding financial support please get in touch.
British Academy of Dramatic Combat Standard Level Certification in Unarmed Combat
Want to try your hand at fighting for stage and screen and gain an industry recognised certification in the process? Then join us for Dramatic Combat this Summer!
This 5-day intensive course focuses on the fundamental skills and principles required for performing effective, believable and safe unarmed (hand to hand) combat for stage and screen- the most frequently used skill in any actor-combatant’s toolkit.
The training will enable participants to gain understanding and confidence in physical techniques and performance skills, participants will learn how to:
The training is progressive and culminates in a fight performance which is assessed by a British Academy of Dramatic Combat Examiner. Participants perform a choreographed fight with a partner within the context of a scripted scene. If successful, performers will attain a BADC Standard Level Certification in Unarmed Combat, which is industry recognised by Equity and Spotlight.
Due to the nature of the course minimum training hours are required to enter the Examination therefore you must have 100% attendance for the full 5 days. Please note that the course is intensive, very active and requires sustained mental and physical engagement each day.
Stage and screen combat practice is designed to be inclusive for the management of pre existing conditions or learning needs. Please mention this information on sign up so the the tutor can be informed prior to the start of the course.
Week 1 of Summer:
Jersey Week 1 (8-21years): Tuesday 21st July - Sunday 26th 2026
Week 2 of Summer:
Jersey Week 2 (8-21years): Tuesday 28th - Sunday 2nd August 2026
Brighton Week 1 (Year 3-13): Tuesday 28th - Sunday 2nd August 2026
Brighton Weeny Week 1 (Reception to Year 12): Wednesday 29th July - Sunday 2nd August 2026
Week 3 of Summer:
Brighton Week 2 (Year 3-13): Tuesday 4th August - Sunday 9th August 2026
Brighton Weeny Week 2 (Reception- Year 2): Wednesday 5th August - Sunday 9th August 2026
Birmingham (Year 3- Year 13): Tuesday 4th August - Saturday 8th August 2026
Birmingham Weeny (Reception- Year 12): Wednesday 5th August - Saturday 8th August 2026
Week 4 of Summer:
Watford Summer School (7- 18years): Monday 10th August - Friday 14th August 2026
Watford Weeny Summer School (4-6years): Tuesday 11th August - Friday 14th August 2026
Week 5 of summer:
Saffron Walden (Year 3- 11): Monday 17th August - Saturday 21st August 2026
This is a really exciting role for someone that wishes to progress in a creative, demanding but rewarding role at Malvern Theatres Trust Ltd.
You will support the Technical Director with the day to day running of the Malvern Theatres complex.
You will follow the training provided by Creative Alliance on their Production Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeship.
Key Tasks/Accountabilities
General maintenance of the complex as required.
To work, in association with the Technical Director, Supervisors and technicians on all technical set-ups in the Theatre Complex and other stage areas within and outside the complex as directed.
To act as a apprentice Technician during the running of productions in the complex as required.
Equally responsible for the Health and Safety of employees, touring staff, members of the public and any other users of the complex.
To attend training courses as require by the Technical Director.
To achieve continuous professional development.
To train in rigging, focusing and operation of lighting equipment.
To train in rigging and operation of sound equipment.
To train in rigging lifting equipment (chain hoists and motors) and have a knowledge of flying systems
Assisting with building maintenance.
Reporting any defects of any equipment and taking said equipment out of service until repaired.
Willing and able to work at heights.
To become familiar with the Health and safety at Work Act 1974.
Liaising effectively with visiting companies. Communicating information throughout the technical department as required.
Liaising with FOH departments especially on performance days.
When deemed appropriate work on get ins and outs in a safe and effective manner. Liaising with all depts. to ensure a calm and safe working environment.
Things to consider
Late nights, early morning finishes, weekend and Bank Holiday working hours.
After observing the apprentice, you may have the opportunity to earn an enhanced rate of £41 per hour, this involves taking down the stage set at the end of a show, reloading it on to the vehicles, referred to as a 'get out'.
Mercury Essex Playwrights Award, a major new initiative designed to champion both emerging and established playwrights from across Greater Essex.
Supported by GreyFriars Hotel, the award marks a significant new investment in regional talent and reflects the Mercury’s ongoing commitment to developing and producing exceptional new writing.
Supported by the Marcela Trust, this is the first year of a new playwrighting award championing both established and emerging writers from Greater Essex.
Over recent years, the Mercury has been proud to have been able to profile the work of Essex-based writers through workshops, masterclasses and productions on both the main stage and in the studio space Recent successes have included Flumps by Emma Jo Pallett which won UK Theatre’s Best New Play award in 2025, the world premiere of The Manningtree Witches by Ava Pickett in 2026, and a new stage adaptation of Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape, based on the bestselling book by Colchester-born Dermot O’Leary. These productions sit alongside a growing body of acclaimed new work developed and staged by the Mercury, including Martha Loader’s award-winning Bindweed and Tassa Deparis’ Swallow the Lake.
The Mercury is committed to supporting local writers. We are seeking Essex writers from all backgrounds with new ideas and new stories. Your work can be any genre or style - be contemporary or historical.
The winner of the Mercury Essex Playwrights Award will receive a full commission, dramaturgical support from the Mercury’s artistic team, and a fully staged production in the Mercury Studio during 2027. In addition to the production, the winner will receive dramaturgical support from our Literary Associate Kenny Emson and our Artistic Director, Natasha Rickman. You will also work closely with our Talent and New Work Producer, Katie Cutmore.
The Mercury is committed to supporting local writers. We are seeking Essex writers from all backgrounds with new ideas and new stories. Your work can be any genre or style – be contemporary or historical.
The winner of the Mercury Essex Playwrights Award will receive a full commission, dramaturgical support from the Mercury’s artistic team, and a fully staged production in the Mercury Studio during 2027.
In addition to the production, the winner will receive dramaturgical support from our Literary Associate Kenny Emson and our Artistic Director, Natasha Rickman. You will also work closely with our Talent and New Work Producer, Katie Cutmore.
Malvern Theatres are recruiting for a technical apprentice to work in the technical department at the theatre.
The work will be varied and will include all aspects of technical theatre within the department, which will cover lighting, sound and stage. Both internal and external training will be provided, leading to a level 3 qualification.
You will support the Technical Director with the day to day running of the Malvern Theatres complex. You will follow the training provided by Creative Alliance on their Production Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeship.
Key tasks and accountabilities include, but are not limited to:
Hours per week: 40 (21-month fixed term contract)
Salary: £16,703 per year
Closing Date: 19/07/2026, 12:00 am
Develop your independence and employability with Three Compost Bins and A Theatre (For Now)
Do you want to be able to run your own indie tech? Do you want to learn the basics of lights and sound? Do you want to be more employable in the live events economy? Do you want access to a lending library of technical resources to make your own work?
Local indie theatre companies Three Compost Bins and A Theatre (For Now) are joining forces on a grassroots Live Tech Skills Lab this summer that is mentored by local legend Tom Robbins and taking place at Sheffield Theatres.
Dates:
2pm-6pm Sat 25 July - Light
2pm-6pm Sat 08 August - Sound
2pm-6pm Sat 22 August - Production
Each session is £15, or you can book all three at a discount for £40. Register by completing the form linked below.
Is cost a barrier? We are offering two free places. They will be randomly allocated from eligible registrations by Sun 05 July.
Places are limited so book early to guarantee your spot!
