At Open Door, our Behind the Scenes Access Programme supports participants aged 17-30 who are passionate about a career in Technical Theatre and Productions Arts and who want to apply to study at one of our partner schools. Technical Theatre and Productions Arts careers can include the likes of scenic art, theatre technology, set construction, costume construction, prop-making, set/costume design and more!

Our current partner schools are Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, LAMDA, Royal Welsh College of Music, and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. We can give you the support you need to approach your interviews with confidence, knowing that you have benefited from the advice and mentoring from our selected industry professionals.

The Behind the Scenes Access programme provides participants with:

The course is a two-year A-Level programme

We follow the AQA specification at Bilborough Sixth Form College. You’ll be taught in a dedicated dance studio, with a sprung floor, mirrored walls, and portable sound and lighting equipment. Practical exams take place in our wonderfully equipped Theatre. It is desirable, but not essential, that you have dance experience – and you must show enthusiasm, passion and a willingness to experiment with different styles. To strengthen your love for dance we facilitate workshops with companies such as Rambert Dance Company, Netherlands Dance Theatre and West End performers and theatre visits throughout the year, such as Move It, Amsterdam and London. If you’re serious about a career on the stage, or behind the scenes, this course may be taken alongside Drama and BTEC Extended Certificate in Performing Arts Level 3.

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.

This course is fully funded for 16 to 18-year-olds.

Successful completion of this course will allow you to progress to the HND in Performing Arts at The Eastern School of Performing Arts or study at prestigious performing arts schools.

Previous students have gone on to study at establishments such as: Arts Ed, Guildford School of Acting, Urdang, Performers College, Bird College, Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama, Italia Conti, Liverpool Theatre School, Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts and Stella Mann.

Progression to year 2 is subject to successful completion of year 1.

Our Music Production, Performance and Business BA prepares you for a dynamic career across all facets of the music industry. This course not only covers the essential areas of music production, performance, and business, but also emphasises the importance of collaboration within these fields.

At the heart of our curriculum are authentic group projects that mirror real-world music industry practices. These collaborative projects provide you with hands-on experience, allowing you to assume specific roles within a team and enhance your skills in teamwork, negotiation, and creative synergy. Such experiences are vital in today’s industry.

Whether you aim to be a music artist, producer, performer, songwriter, composer, musicologist, journalist, DJ, technologist, entrepreneur, business specialist, or educator, this course nurtures your aspirations through a blend of practical experience and academic study. Reflective practice and contextual studies are integrated into the course, positioning our graduates as pioneers and thought leaders in the ever-evolving music industry.

Our strong industry connections within London's vibrant music scene enable us to offer guest lectures from top professionals and maximise networking opportunities. These connections are further enriched through interdisciplinary collaborations with peers from film, TV, radio, fashion, and media studies.

Located at the Harrow Campus, the course facilitates a unique collaborative environment not just among music students but also across various creative disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach provides a broad spectrum of opportunities, preparing our graduates for diverse careers in the creative industries and ensuring they have the skills and contacts necessary to expand their professional network and enhance their creative potential.

Do you want to pursue a career in performing arts? Do people tell you that you should be on stage? This course is the best way to start.

This course will provide you with the experience and knowledge to develop a range of performance skills including acting, dancing, and singing. You’ll get practical experience in musical theatre, dance, classical theatre, modern drama, technical theatre, and multimedia performance.

Certification is awarded by the prestigious UAL Awarding Body, widely regarded as the best university for the Creative Arts in Europe. You’ll be based in our own dedicated performance space which has a 180 seater theatre, dressing rooms, dance studios, rehearsal rooms, MAC suite, and technical theatre workshop.

During the course, you’ll learn:

Do you love acting, dancing or performing for an audience? Is singing your thing? Maybe you want to avoid the limelight but still work in performing arts. In any case, this course could be for you.

This course will provide you with practical skills, understanding, and knowledge of careers in the theatre industry. You’ll also learn to be organized and gain the confidence to perform in front of an audience.

There will be many chances to perform at venues outside of college and to gain work experience as part of your course. You will meet and work with professionals from the industry and see live professional shows and events.

During the course, you’ll:

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