This new fast track degree, taught by industry professionals, gives you a two year route into the theatre production industry whether in stage management, lighting, sound or AV; in theatre, festivals or events. Based at Tobacco Factory Theatres in Bristol, you are at the heart of a working theatre, experiencing life as a technical theatre artist from day one.
It is limited to just 12 students so as to re-create a professional working environment and culture from day 1. There is a national shortage of skilled technical staff in the theatre and live events industries. Technical Theatre Arts Graduates are in high demand and BSA’s strong industry networks can help open doors to a rewarding career.
BA Technical Theatre Arts is an intensive, accelerated degree taught over two years, with 40 weeks of teaching per year. You receive the same number of teaching weeks as you would on a three-year course, but save at least £5,000 in tuition fees plus a year of living costs.
Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:
Only available to those who are joining at aged 16, this course is a stepping stone to a backstage career in the theatre and related industries.
You will study a wide range of skills in set design, costume, lighting and sound along with stage and production management. This course will give you the foundation you need to pursue a career in the performing arts industries. Students typically progress into apprenticeships, Higher Education or direct entry into the profession.
The BRIT School offers extensive theatre facilities, giving you the chance to learn and develop a wide range of practical skills. The course is staffed by experienced theatre professionals and much of the learning is delivered through work on fully realised productions. The experience you will gain on this course will prepare you for a career in Production Arts and production design. At the end of the two year course you will achieve a UAL, Level 3 Extended Diploma in Production Arts, equivalent to three A levels.
Have you got a passion for carpentry and working with wood? Want to turn this passion into a full-time career? The UK construction industry is in great need of skilled new workers to support major development and regeneration projects throughout the country. By studying our Carpentry and Joinery Level 1 course, you will gain the foundation of skills and knowledge for future work within this sector.
Carpenters and joiners work on creating and installing a huge variety of features such as roofs, floors, windows and staircases, supporting new constructions, refurbishments and restoration projects alike. Our Level 1 carpentry course will introduce you to everything from using handsaws, planes, chisels and other essential tools to selecting woodworking resources and how to mark and produce woodworking joints. You will also learn key construction topics such as health and safety, modern sustainable construction methods and green technology, alongside developing your English, maths and other transferable skills to prepare you for the workplace.
Your carpentry training will be hands-on, studying in our cutting-edge Sustainable Construction Centre on campus, ensuring you have the practical skills to succeed. Once you have completed our carpentry and joinery course, you will have opportunities to progress onto further study, apprenticeships and careers in the industry.
Cost: Free for students aged 16 to 18. Students aged 19 and older may have to pay tuition fees depending on their employment status, income etc.
Looking for something fun and creative to do during half term? This short theatre course for 15-17s is focused on devised theatre - learning about the different skills involved in making theatre. Create scenes from your own imagination and life experiences, through creative games that explore writing, movement, improvisation and more.
This project is about exploring your voice and expressing yourself through drama in a fun, supportive and inclusive space.
Over the week you will:
We are committed to supporting D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse young people, those with medical conditions, access requirements or any lived experience that may require adaptation, support or sensitivity. If there is anything you would like to let us (our youth workers, tutors or staff) know that will support your enjoyment and access, you can do so by emailing us and we will contact you to discuss further how to best support your engagement.
An exciting festival for people aged 25 and under
Almeida For Free is an exciting festival for people aged 25 and under. The festival gives young people the chance to see our productions for free, and to also take part in workshops, panel discussions and masterclasses that cover everything from acting and writing, to theatre-making and design.
It is a celebration of young people’s creativity that takes over the whole theatre and aims to give an insight into the way shows are created at the Almeida.
Immediate support to help manage urgent financial needs
Our Stop-Gap Grants can provide you with immediate support to help manage urgent financial needs when you have nowhere else to turn. If financial worries are holding you back, we’re here to support you.
Grants are generally no more than £500, although we may consider requests up to £750 at our discretion.
Level up your skills in Theatrical and Media Makeup with a Level 3 qualification at Hugh Baird College. This is a technical qualification for anyone that wants to pursue a career providing hair and Makeup services in the film, TV, theatre and fashion industries. Push your creative boundaries and explore your options in this exciting space.
You’ll advance on the skills learned in the Media Makeup Level 2 course, with new technical modules including media Makeup, wigs and creative prosthetics (SFX). This course delves into fashion and editorial styles, where you’ll add skills like camouflage (covering up scars and tattoos), theatrical Makeup, period hair and Makeup, and advanced face and body art to your portfolio. You’ll also get to grips with current tools and equipment, with a focus on airbrushing to high industry standards.
The Level 3 Theatrical and Media Makeup course balances practical learning with theory. The theory arm comprises health and safety, anatomy and physiology, and cosmetic Makeup science.
A favourite unit among students, you’ll get the opportunity to build a total character. You’ll bring a particular concept to life, taking ownership of everything from face casting to sculpting, and creating and applying prosthetic pieces. You’ll be expected to blend your character’s face with Makeup and a wig or bald cap, and present your work in your portfolio.
Hugh Baird College students get the opportunity to take part in regional competitions across a range of categories, including bridal Makeup, editorial Makeup, face and body art, and face painting.
Beyond the classroom, you’ll get to visit art galleries and theatres for character development inspiration. We’re big on community at Hugh Baird College, so you can get involved in local events to see how they run, such as Halloween events and shows in Sefton Park.
Equip yourself for a challenging career in the fast-paced and fast growth marketing communications industry. It is also recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) as career-relevant.
You'll learn from our team of specialist academic staff and marketing communications professionals and be supported by regular career coaching. You'll engage with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) as you position yourself to enter this highly creative sector.
With its strong focus on innovation, creativity and contemporary issues, (such as digital communications, social media, instant gratification and globalisation), this highly-specialised degree will signal that you are creative, focused and commercially-driven. You will be able to demonstrate your marketing communications expertise alongside the skills most valued by employers.
You will engage with the latest thinking through a research project supported by a member of our Customer Interactions Research Group.
Key features
- Enhance your employability through internships, consultancy projects, a one-year paid placement and integrated coaching from experienced business leaders
- Experience international cultures and develop a global mind-set through options to work and study abroad
- A degree which is dual accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Recognised from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)
- Associate Membership with Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Opportunities to engage in additional professional certifications throughout the degree
Mountview produces over 20 in-house productions each year in our state-of-the-art theatres, giving Technical Production students a vast array of learning experiences.
Mountview’s Technical Production training is primarily focussed on sound and lighting, while also incorporating video and technical stage craft. Course content includes lighting and sound studio skills, the preparation and management of technical equipment, lighting and sound system design, how to programme and operate desks, video mapping and design, as well as core technical and maintenance skills.
Mountview is internationally recognised for the quality of its Musical Theatre training and produces at least 8 large-scale musicals in-house every year, providing Technical Production students with extensive experience of the musical format.
As part of the BA (Hons) Top-Up, students have the option to select a specialism in which to develop a greater depth of experience.
Mountview also offers a two-year Foundation degree (FdA) in Technical Production which provides fast-track training.
The BA (Hons) Top-Up is open to Mountview students currently studying on the FdA course, as well as non-Mountview graduates with relevant qualifications or experience.
GRADUATE DESTINATIONS
Mountview Technical Production graduates enter a strong network of successful professionals working in lighting, sound and technical production. Their work spans large-scale national, West End and regional theatres, international touring productions, festivals and events, as well as TV, film and media companies.
Production Arts graduates have gone on to work with a diverse range of companies including the National Theatre, Secret Cinema, Hamilton, Mamma Mia, Eurovision, Les Miserables and the Olympics.
COURSE LEADERS AND GUEST PRACTITIONERS
Our resident team of tutors for this course are supported by industry professionals who work alongside the students on productions. Previous guest tutors have included professionals from:
• Punchdrunk
• Hamilton
• The Globe
• The National Theatre
COURSE CONTENT AND DELIVERY
The BA (Hons) Top-Up course is a full-time one-year course with 30 contact hours per week over 36 weeks in each year. With continuous assessment across all the compulsory modules, students work alongside professional lighting and sound designers, technicians and programmers.
Students have the option to select a specialism in which to develop a greater depth of experience. All specialisms are built on a robust foundation of transferable skills and strong emphasis is placed on learning through practice.
Training includes:
• Hands-on training with contemporary equipment
• Technical stagecraft skills including rigging and flying and installation of live productions
• Sound studio skills including recording and editing technology and techniques
• Lighting sStudio skills including computerised drafting and visualisation software
• Understanding and designing lighting and sound systems
• Prepping, fitting, and monitoring radio mic systems
• Planning, prepping and managing lighting equipment for live productions
• Programming and mixing industry standard sound desks on plays and musicals
• Programming and operating lighting desks, including working with generic and moving lighting equipment
• Creating sound, lighting and video designs for live productions
• Technical and maintenance skills such as power distribution, soldering and other skills needed by the modern production professional
Students also undertake work placements with external organisations, allowing them to develop a network of professional contacts and gain valuable experience. Previous placement destinations have included Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Globe, Wiltons Music Hall, National Theatre, Cabaret, Park Theatre and the Barbican.
SHOWCASE
Students are given integral roles on both Mountview productions and professional placements. This provides excellent opportunities to showcase skills, gain important industry contacts and develop personal networks, all of which are key to your career progression.
