Do you want to explore what Shakespeare means in today's world? Immerse yourself in Shakespeare's works and learn from expert academics at our Shakespeare Institute. You'll also get to work with theatre practitioners at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) as part of our unique collaboration.

Pursue your creativity and your passion for Shakespeare and experience the thrill of producing your own creative response to his poetry and plays. This course is ideal for any aspiring academic, actor, writer, or director looking to explore Shakespeare from perspectives like academic research, theatre performances and public engagement. 

Access to The Arts ™ is a national outreach and funding programme, run by READ College (a registered charity). Since the organisation was founded back in 2008, we have always whole-heartedly believed that the Performing Arts should be open to anyone who has the passion and drive to forge a career in the industry. All too often, however, people don’t see themselves reflected on stage and on screen, don’t know how to access training for a professional career, or simply cannot afford to train. That’s where Access to The Arts ™ comes in.

All of our outreach work is free to access and is delivered across the UK in communities identified as being under-represented or disadvantaged, and who can most benefit from our work. Our Widening Participation & Outreach Co-Ordinator, Amelia Stevenson, is an alumna of READ with a successful and creative career under her belt and delivers practical skills workshops, Q&A clinics and careers advice sessions in order to support people into further training. As a registered charity, there is no charge to any individual or organisation wishing to benefit from our outreach programme, and we welcome contact from schools, colleges, youth and community groups who would like to find out more about how we can help them and their young people. Workshops and courses range from a few hours to a few days depending upon the project, and our aim is to really encourage and support young people at the grass roots level to help them take the first steps into vocational training and to become artists in their own right.

Access to The Arts ™ also provides bursaries to overcome barriers to training for those who have successfully auditioned for full-time places at READ College’s Sixth Form and Foundation courses. Bursaries for READ are awarded on a means-tested basis, and are generated from charitable events, grants and donations. If you, your company, or anyone you know is able to support our work then you can make one-off or regular donations via our website.

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.

This Acting programme, at Mechanics Performing Arts is for students who wish to study in a lively and challenging environment. As Acting students, you will have the opportunity to explore, develop and test your creativity within a qualification structure which is stimulating, demanding and provides a supportive transition into higher level study or employment in the performing arts industry. 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 within the industry.

This study programme is for those who wish to pursue a career in dance and study in a vibrant and professional environment. All Mechanics’ Performing Arts courses have been created for any young person who is excited about developing a career in the creative industries.

This specialist qualification will enable you to apply for dance and performing arts degree programmes or audition directly for advanced training in the dance industry to specialist schools. Past students have progressed to a range of universities and colleges including, University Centre Wakefield, LIPA, Northern Contemporary Dance School, SLP, Bird College, Shockout Arts, Middlesex University, MADD.

You will also have the opportunity to go on theatre and dance trips and participate in workshops given by professional theatre companies and visiting practitioners.

Dance performance and choreography is a major part of the course, and you will have many opportunities to perform in the College theatre and at a range of external events and venues. The course will be enhanced by visiting practitioners and local dance companies. We have performed at Move It, Can You Dance, FRESH, Hepworth Gallery, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Production Park.