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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 helps you to develop your skills in acting, musical theatre, and dancing
The course is assessed entirely through coursework so there are NO EXAMS. You will be assessed for your rehearsals, research, reflection, and practical ability.
There will be showcase events throughout the year in which you will get to show off your skills.
Course highlights
Your course will be delivered at Derby Theatre, a fully equipped, professional theatre and major live performance venue, allowing you to gain valuable industry experience and contacts as you learn.
This contemporary theatre and performance programme will develop your theatre and performance skills such as acting, directing and devising for your career as a professional theatre artist. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to showcase your work and you may be involved in performances regionally, nationally and internationally.
This dynamic and exciting theatre arts programme is taught by practising professional artists with expertise in their own fields. Built around process, experimentation and risk taking you will encounter a range of practices to explore and develop theatre making and performance skills. An exciting part of your studies will be the professional work experience within Derby Theatre or partner organisations which will contribute to the development of your professional portfolio. You will take part in a number of public performances across your years of study and in a variety of venues, including main house and studio theatre spaces, off-site in the community, schools, and art centres.
In this multidisciplinary course you will develop technical, design, and production knowledge and skills for theatre and live performance in the growing and dynamic creative industries. Your real-world experience will be enhanced by learning and working alongside students from our BA (Hons) Theatre Arts course and external partners as you become part of the day-to-day operations of a busy professional venue: Derby Theatre.
You will benefit from being able to draw from the knowledge of a wide range of industry professionals to enhance your networks, relatability and exposure to the industry. There will be opportunities to take part in projects drawn from Derby Theatre’s Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) agenda on community, youth and education.
You will experiment and familiarise yourself with the possibilities of existing and emerging disciplines in the field, such as light, sound, projection, video, digital media, immersive and interactive storytelling, extended realities, AI, stage technology, costume and set design, scenography, production, project and stage management. You will also be supported to explore expanded design practices beyond the theatre stage, such as performance installations, sound installations, interactive audio walks, design-led, site-specific, immersive, socially engaged and devised performances, exhibition and event design in galleries and found spaces.
The level 2 Diploma in Performing & Production Arts is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to access and progress to your level 3 programme.
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.
You will undergo an extensive programme of training, exercises and activities, which will equip you for working within a range of performance situations. Each project is designed to give you an insight into the professional world of the performing arts. Throughout your course you will develop a ‘toolkit’ of essential skills and techniques as a foundation to your professional performance work.
This course is fully funded for 16 to 18-year-olds.
The level 3 Diploma / Extended Diploma in Performing & Production Arts – Acting is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to access and progress to degree level study or employment in industry.
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.
You will undergo an extensive programme of training, exercises and activities, which will equip you for working within a range of performance situations. Each project is designed to give you an insight into the professional world of the performing arts. Throughout your course you will develop a ‘toolkit’ of essential skills and techniques as a foundation to your professional performance work.
This course is fully funded for 16 to 18-year-olds.
This Music Performance & Production study programme will introduce you to practical skills in performance, sound recording, composing and music technology including software based production.
Students will learn from industry professionals with state of the art equipment including fully featured recording studios and rehearsal suites.
This course is fully funded for 16 to 18-year-olds.
