Performing arts

Study performing arts and prepare for a career in this exciting, creative industry.

Our performing arts courses will prepare you for a career in this amazing sector, including progression to university or drama school. You will also hone the vital skills that employers want to see in their staff

The arts and culture industry contributes £8.5bn to the UK. More than 100,000 people work in this sector in the UK, in dance, music, opera, theatre, magic, spoken word and musical theatre.

Subjects

• Performing arts: Expand your skills in drama, dance and the production process, from technical theatre to performance. We will help you get both the analytical skills and knowledge of how the performing arts business works.

Qualifications

We offer Performing Arts qualifications from Level 1 (equivalent to GCSEs grades D-F or 3-1) to Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels.)

Facilities

You won’t be learning in a classroom, you will be working as a professional company of artists and staging productions open to the public. You will train with industry-experienced teachers in our professional studios, developing your core skills in acting, dancing and directing, to ensure that you are prepared for your future career. 

Career pathways

A career pathway is a series of building blocks that will take you to your future career. This helps us equip you with the skills, attributes and knowledge that future employers want, giving you a greater chance of success.

Our career pathway maps will show you the best routes through college, higher education and employment and into the most popular industry sectors.

Industry partnerships

We have partnerships with professional theatre companies, music and arts companies and arts centres, including the Old Fire Station and Mandala Theatre Company in Oxford, the Mill Arts Centre in Banbury and Reading Studio of Dramatic Art, Reading Rep and CultureMix in Reading.

What’s happening in Performing arts

22 May 2020

Reading Rep Theatre launches free online drama sessions for neurodiverse young people

19 February 2020

Reading College performing arts student wins a work experience placement at a London theatre

12 December 2019

Reading College students go back to the Victorian era in collaboration with the National Trust