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Free Level 2 Performing Arts Course in Northampton

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start31 Aug 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyUAL Awarding Body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 2 Performing and Production Arts Course in Northampton. Classes run at Northampton College, full-time during the day.

The course focuses on technical theatre. You'll build skills in stage maintenance, set design, lighting, sound, and production health and safety. You'll support real public performances, including shows at external venues. There are also links to community events such as Northampton Carnival and the Northampton Diwali Festival. The course runs for one year.

You'll finish with a University of the Arts London Level 2 Diploma in Performing and Production Arts.

Who this course is for

This course is designed to develop your potential for working in the theatre industry and prepare for future qualifications. You will cover a wide range of technical skills, contextual related activities and be given the opportunity to be involved in technically supporting public performances. The method of learning is by a mixture of both tutor led and practical sessions. If you have not yet achieved a Grade 4 (C) in GCSE English and Mathematics, you will also be working towards these qualifications as part of your study programme and there will also be opportunities to work with local theatres back stage and front of house, and to go on visits to shows either locally or nationally as part of your studies. To get the most out of this course you will need to be enthusiastic, happy to work with others and confident to communicate and interact with a production team (including working with actors, dancers, musicians). The Level 2 Diploma in Performing & Production Arts provides a full-time introduction to performance, production and design for the Performing Arts that give students a broad diagnostic experience that develops an understanding of Performing Arts as a collaborative activity. What will I study? The units you will study are likely to include: Core Units: Introduction to performance Introduction to production Communicating with an Audience Staging a Performance Contextual Research for Performance and Production Performance Skills and Practice Production skills and Practice Personal Project and Presentation Producing and performing to an audience

Entry requirements

Four GCSEs at Grade 3/D or above or a Level 1 qualification with English and maths at GCSE grades 1-3/G-D or Functional Skills Entry Level 3. You must attend the Workshop Session in the summer.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop skills in stage maintenance and set construction.
  • You'll learn theatre lighting and sound operation.
  • You'll apply production health and safety practices.
  • You'll support backstage production on public performances.
  • You'll collaborate with acting, dance, and musical theatre students.
  • You'll work on community and civic events as technical support.
  • You'll explore contextual knowledge related to theatre production.

How you will learn

Learning is a mix of tutor-led sessions and hands-on practical work. You'll work both independently and in small groups. The college uses specialist facilities throughout the course. There may be opportunities to attend external performances or workshops with local theatres. All students complete a six-week monitoring period at the start. The centre will then discuss the most suitable course level based on your progress.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Northampton College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Stage technician, operates technical equipment for live performances.
  • Lighting technician, rigs and operates stage lighting.
  • Sound technician, manages audio for theatre productions.
  • Set builder, constructs and maintains stage sets.
  • Production assistant, supports the technical team on shows.
  • Theatre crew member, works backstage on live events.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Diploma in Performing and Production Arts, the natural next step for technical theatre specialisation.
  • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production, for those interested in moving into film or broadcast.
  • Apprenticeship in Cultural and Heritage Venue Operations, combining work and study in a live venue.
Apply on northamptoncollege.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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