OR

Where will this course lead?

The Level 3 Extended Diploma programme is a vocational course covering all aspects of technical theatre including lighting for theatre, sound for theatre, stage management, design for stage and professional practice. Delivered by experienced and specialised technical theatre and performing arts professionals you will be able to build upon your previous performance experience supporting your progression to university, stage school or employment.

What will I study?

The course is made up of 12 units. Nine units are completed for the Diploma in year one and 12 units for the Extended Diploma across the two years. You will have weekly classes in lighting, sounds, stage management and design which will develop your skills as well as maintenance, production planning and portfolio workshops for the completion of your units through performance projects. All students will be able to work on a variety of shows including Acting, Dance and Musical Theatre performances as well as their own devised Installations.

How will this course be delivered?

The majority of the programme is delivered through practical sessions, tutorials, rehearsal observations and performances. You are also required to complete written work for these projects which includes research, presentations, reflections and evaluations on your process which demonstrates your understanding of the context, processes and subject matters being studied.

What qualifications will I get?

Year 1 - UAL Level 3 Diploma in Performance and Production Arts (Technical Theatre)
Year 2 - UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performance and Production Arts (Technical Theatre)

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is continuous and is linked to your planning, production and operation work as well as your portfolio. In year one there are three main projects and in year two there are two.  There are no exams on the course as you are continuously being assessed on both the practical and portfolio work.  Attendance and application in all areas is essential for successful completion.

How do I get a place on the course?

You will need to apply for the course either in College or on the College website. Attend an audition at the College where you will be required to participate in a technical theatre workshop and prepare a written review which focuses on your area of interest within technical theatre.

What are the entry requirements?

You will need to have a least one of the following:
• 4 GCSEs at grade C / grade 4 or above, including English Language.  
• Level 2 qualification in a relevant vocational subject area and GCSE English Language ar grade C / grade 4 or above.

You are also required to attend an interview and audition.  

What else do I need to know?

The course is hard work, but fun, enjoyable and highly rewarding. All sessions are held within professional performing arts spaces with access to the campus theatres on a regular basis.

What can I do after this course?

The course will enable you to progress on to higher education courses in performing arts at Stratford-upon-Avon College, university or stage school or into other industry occupations. One-to-one support is given to each student in the 2nd Year with regards to UCAS and employment applications to allow all students continue on their chosen journey.

Location

Stratford-upon-Avon College

Start Date

Sept-2025

Day

TBC

Time

TBC

Course Fee

N/A For 16 to 18 Year Olds

Course Code

PASAH091SCF0

Study Mode

Full Time

Sound Engineer

Sound engineers may work in many different contexts including live events (music concerts, theatre performances and sporting events). As a sound engineer you could also work in a studio, recording for commercial music, film, TV, radio, advertising, gaming or interactive media purposes.

What’s Involved?

A front-of-house live sound engineer is responsible for audience satisfaction, ensuring that every member of the audience can hear the show and that the sound is balanced and controlled in a specified way. Monitor engineers also work in live sound and mix the sound that performers will hear through a stage monitor system. A studio sound engineer is responsible for planning a recording session with an artist or musician, setting up the required equipment, editing and mixing recorded tracks and enhancing the sound to achieve a high quality recording. You may also master the sound, which involves listening to the mixed tracks in a good acoustic environment and then working on the edited mix to refine and perfect the audio.

Theatre Technician

Theatre technicians are responsible for ensuring that the lighting, sound and other technical aspects of theatre performances run safely, smoothly and on time.

What’s Involved?

Technicians make sure that theatre equipment is kept in good working order and that all those using or exposed to it are safe. A single technician is sometimes given responsibility for all technical aspects of a theatre or performance, but more often than not, the role is focussed on either lighting or sound.

Script Writer

Job holders in this unit group write, edit and evaluate literary material for publication including scripts and narrative for film, TV, radio and computer games and animations.

What’s Involved?

A Script Writer determines subject matter and researches as necessary by interviewing, attending public events, seeking out records, observing etc. They generate and develop creative ideas for literary material. They also select material for publication, check style, grammar and accuracy of content, arrange for any necessary revisions and check proof copies before printing.

TV or Film Camera Operator

Workers in this unit group operate and assist with still, cine and television cameras and operate other equipment to record, manipulate and project sound and vision for entertainment, cultural, commercial and industrial purposes.

What’s Involved?

A TV or Film Camera Operator selects subject and conceives composition of picture or discusses composition with colleagues; arranges subject, lighting, camera equipment and any microphones; inserts lenses and adjusts aperture and speed settings as necessary; operates scanning equipment to transfer image to computer and manipulates image to achieve the desired effect; photographs subject or follows action by moving camera; takes, records and manipulates digital images and digital video footage; controls transmission, broadcasting and satellite systems for television and radio programmes, identifies and solves related technical problems; checks operation and positioning of projectors, vision and sound recording equipment, and mixing and dubbing equipment; operates equipment to record, edit and play back films and television programmes; manages health and safety issues; operates sound mixing and dubbing equipment to obtain desired mix, level and balance of sound.

Director

Arts officers, producers and directors assume creative, financial and organisational responsibilities in the production and direction of television and radio programmes, films, stage presentations, content for other media, and the promotion and exhibition of other creative activities.

What’s Involved?

A Director chooses writers, scripts, technical staff and performers, and assumes overall responsibility for completion of project on time and within budget. They direct actors, designers, camera team, sound crew and other production and technical staff to achieve desired effects. They break script into scenes and formulate a shooting schedule that will be most economical in terms of time, location and sets. They also prepare rehearsals and production schedules for main events, design of sets and costumes, technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals. They ensure necessary equipment, props, performers and technical staff are on set when required. They also manage health and safety issues. They select, contract, market and arrange for the presentation and/or distribution of performance, visual and heritage arts.

Predicted Employment

How much can I earn?

£17,680
NATIONAL AVERAGE

Employment by Region

The career paths provided are to give you an idea of the careers that you could progress onto in the future. However, for some, you may need to complete higher level qualifications and gain experience before your dream job becomes a reality. The information provided is to support further research and to generate some initial career ideas when choosing a course. Please check entry requirements to degree courses, apprenticeships, and jobs as this may vary from year to year and across providers. For further advice and guidance, please contact: careers@solihull.ac.uk.