This three-year honours degree is perfect for students who are interested in a career backstage and enjoy a practice-based learning environment. Please note, this course is not part of the CAO points system.

The course prepares students for many career paths including: Stage Management, Lighting Technology, Costume, Sound Technology, Prop Making, Set Construction, Scenic Art, Film & Production Management.

Previous graduates engage with work that is as diverse as the Entertainment industry itself and have secured employment in Theatre, Film, TV, Venues, Hire Companies, Production Companies, Audio Visual Companies, Corporate Entertainment, TV Stations nationally and internationally.

The course is led by a dedicated and experienced team all of whom have had successful careers in the theatre and performance industry.

The Lir Academy provides training that reflects the best practices in professional theatre. The practical training during the degree will be complemented with a range of classes including Theatre History, Principles of Stage Management, Principles of Theatre Technology and a three year Professional Development programme that covers everything from the workings of the industry to health and safety and managing a full time or freelance career.

Classes and active learning through working on productions are supported by an extensive placement programme. The course is full time and requires long working hours. As a result, students will be ready to engage with the intensive nature of the industry from the moment they graduate.

An exciting course combining strong technical training, creative opportunities and industry experience. The course programme involves the study and practice of both traditional and innovative areas of musical performance. It includes in-depth vocal training, a wide range of acting techniques and technical dance training in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, pas de deux and commercial.

Key features

- Taught by professional performers, directors and choreographers
- 11 rehearsal studios, five with sprung dance floors and mirrors
- Professional-standard theatre with industry-level equipment, recently over-hauled with new lighting and sound systems
- Collaboration with make-up, costume and technical theatre students
- Alumni have been working in West End and UK touring shows, TV and film, and for many of the leading cruise ship entertainment companies
Recent alumni include Helen Woolf, who has been starring as Glinda on the Wicked UK tour having previously played the role in London’s West End; Alfie Parker, who has been performing in Kinky Boots having previously performed in School of Rock in London’s West End covering the lead role; and Blake Patrick Anderson who was in Starlight Express.

Applications are open for the fourth cohort of Diploma in Creative Producing (DipCP). The 16-week course will begin on the 20th February 2023 and run until 9th June 2023.

The CGO Institute DipCP programme is for aspiring creative producers of theatre and live performance. The course is cloud-based and designed for up to 12 practitioners who will work together and learn from a range of established UK and International arts professionals.

- The DipCP is open to creative producers working in all performing arts including: opera, live music, dance, circus, live art, musical theatre, and festivals.
- Many producers work across a portfolio of projects which may also encompass visual arts, publishing, and film. The course will not focus on these areas, but the skills taught will be transferable.
- The course is cloud-based, meaning it is run online via Zoom. This allows participants to participate from their own homes/work bases. Our hope is that participants will also meet ‘on the ground’ where possible.
- The course will be led by Chris Grady. Sessions, workshops and Q&As will be delivered by our Faculty, who all share a similar passion and vision for the role of the Creative Producer.
- The CGO Institute will help each participant find a mentor and local network. We support our students to build a creative network in their local area and specialism(s).

This musical theatre course, at Mechanics’ Performing Arts, is for those who wish to pursue a career in the ever expanding and increasingly popular industry of musical theatre. It is a unique course that focuses on rigorous training in the three art forms of dance, drama and singing, alongside vocational and academic study that supplements and supports the practical learning. There will be a wide range of opportunities for you to perform in our professional theatre, alongside chances to attend professional performances in both regional and national venues. You will be taught by industry experienced tutors alongside visiting professionals working in the West End and nationally.

Identify your backstage specialism with this programme. You’ll gain an understanding of backstage theatre and will work on live productions delivering shows that excite and delight audiences. In your second year you’ll choose from the following pathways:

- Video
- Lighting
- Sound
- Stage Management
- Hair and Makeup
- Costume
- Set and props

This diploma is devised for talented students of 16 years and over who want to be successful in Musical Theatre and is a level six qualification validated by Trinity College, London.

The aim of the course is to develop our students into triple threats that can make it in the West End. We instil the versatile and dedicated work ethic into our students so they are able to achieve in the extremely demanding musical theatre industry.

We make sure students get the attention they deserve by making sure none of our class sizes exceed 16 students. This works in tandem with our intensive, exciting and extensive teaching of singing, acting and dancing.
Students will have weekly performance workshops, audition preparation and career development sessions. Every week students will take part in individual singing lessons that will develop their technique and repertoire. Keeping fit is an important aspect of performing at the highest level we ensure you have an excellent level of health and fitness through diagnostics, body conditioning, Pilates and nutrition sessions.

Expert teaching staff, guest lecturers and visiting directors ensure you continuously strive to meet your personal challenges. To help you maintain your high standards, individual progress is closely monitored. Regular tutorials and assessments ensure you receive continual feedback and support.

As a Stage Management and Technical Theatre student, you will learn hands-on skills and techniques that will prepare you for a career in theatre production; whether you are aspiring to become a multi-skilled theatre maker, or build specialist abilities such as rigging, prop sourcing, technical drawing or show-calling. Building on core knowledge of stage management, stage technologies, lighting, and sound, the flexible course structure then enables you to tailor your learning experiences to suit your ambitions.

- Intensive training in stage management and theatre technology
- Career preparation for backstage work in theatre, with extensive transferable skills for the live events industry
- Collaborate with teams of designers, makers, performers, technicians, engineers and artists
- Discover the theories, processes and practices that underpin contemporary performance and production arts

READ College’s full-time, vocational Sixth Form Course in Musical is unique in its approach, and graduate destinations have included Arts Ed, Mountview, Urdang, Bird, Laine, Central, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and many more. As a registered charity, we support students from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds with bursary funding towards tuition fees through our Access to The Arts ™ programme.

Students benefit from at least 27 hours of contact time per week, and study the full range of skills required in Musical Theatre under the guidance of leading industry tutors. Dance styles taught include ballet, jazz, commercial, tap and contemporary. Acting classes include improv, classical theatre, audition repertoire and physical theatre, and our singing training is made up of weekly one-to-one classes, ensemble singing, music theory and vocal tech. Students in their second year also benefit from regular masterclasses with guest tutors from all of the major degree-level courses, to prepare them for auditions.

A full 100% of our Musical Theatre Sixth Form graduates have been offered places at leading degree-level courses since the college opened, and our alumni can now be found working throughout the industry. Courses run from September to July, and applications are now open for our 2021 intake. Open days take place throughout the year, and we also run regular taster courses in the school holidays.

To find out more, please visit the link below or contact admissions on 0118 9666275.