February 2026 marks the midpoint for the first year of the Worcester Theatres Performance Hub, a two year Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Performing Arts hosted at the Swan Theatre.

Since joining the course in September 2025, students have taken part in a wide range of professional training and performance opportunities. Early in the term, they explored basic circus skills with Shooting Stars Circus Skills, learning techniques such as balancing, juggling, plate spinning and minibike riding in preparation for their first performance assessment in November.

In October, students visited the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry to watch Lost Atoms by Frantic Assembly, written by Anna Jordan. They also took part in an ensemble-building and devising workshop led by Brillig Theatre.

November saw the WT Performance Hub students take to the stage for their first assessed performance, A Variety of Errors, a piece inspired by the skills and techniques learned during the course so far. Alongside this, BTEC students Grace and Will delivered Robin Hood inspired drama workshops for Year 3 pupils at Nunnery Wood Primary School, while the wider cohort created their own interpretations of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for the school.

In December, industry professional Ian Good hosted a Q&A session with students, sharing insights into the theatre industry and offering advice on audition expectations. With a career spanning 43 years in pantomime, students were also given the opportunity to attend Worcester Theatres’ Sleeping Beauty to see Ian Good perform as Nurse Dottie Dettol.

The Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Performing Arts offers a high-quality arts education for students aged 16 to 19 across Worcestershire. The two-year course provides hands-on training in dance, drama, music and musical theatre within a collaborative, creative environment. Students receive 24 hours of teaching per week from industry professionals, and the BTEC qualification is equivalent to three A-Levels, worth up to 168 UCAS points. Entry requirements are five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.

Worcester Theatres will host two open days for 2026 entry at the Swan Theatre on Saturday 14 February and Saturday 18 April, both at 1pm. Open days offer prospective students the opportunity to explore the venue, meet tutors and current students, ask questions, and take part in an interactive introductory workshop. To book a place, contact the Outreach team at outreach@worcestertheatres.co.uk or visit the Worcester Theatres website.

Auditions for 2026 entry will take place in May 2026 and will follow a two-stage process: an individual monologue audition with questions on the chosen piece, followed by a group workshop audition.