BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Production Arts

Production Arts/Technical Theatre includes stage lighting, sound, video projection, stage management, set construction and special effects scenic painting, technical. The course also includes special effects makeup and prosthetic makeup, two highly sought-after unit that introduces learners to the exciting world of prosthetic special effects. Our students frequently work on productions, building their portfolios for the next stage of their professional careers.

The course is mainly based in the College’s two fully equipped theatres, the ACT and Studio 101, but also partly at The Questors Theatre (Europe's largest community theatre) where the set-building workshop, (as well as the large number of high-quality shows) provide additional training and show experience opportunities for students on the course. We actively seek out opportunities for students to work in a range of venues. These have included the Savoy (West End), Richmond Theatre, the Rose (Kingston), the Finborough (London). Students are offered the opportunity to work on professional productions with their tutors who are principally current industry professionals in production arts.

All BTEC Performing Arts courses consist of core and specialist units. Parts of the core are common to all courses - the parts dealing with the background to Performing Arts and professional practice in the industry, for example. For Technical Theatre, students are involved in technical production processes and projects. These give students opportunities to extend and practice their technical skills in real working contexts.

Specialist units could include: Stage Management, Special effects make up, Prosthetic makeup, Live Sound for the Stage, Scenic Construction, Scenic Painting, Prop Making, Events Management, Set Design, Working Freelance, Stage Lighting Operations/Design, and Stage Sound Operations/Design.

The course is taught by experienced lecturers and practitioners, many of whom are professionally active in the Performing Arts industry. They will help you to gain new skills, experience and insight to enable you to enter a competitive industry or to go on to Higher Education, including Drama School or a relevant degree at University. Past students have been offered places on degree courses at drama schools including Central School of Speech & Drama, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, LAMDA, LIPA, Rose Bruford College, Royal Welsh College and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, as well as Universities.