Performing Arts
If you were born to perform – as an actor, a dancer or a musical theatre performer – or even if you want to work behind the scenes, you’ll absolutely love the passion, enthusiasm and creative atmosphere that infects everyone in our Performing Arts department, here at The Manchester College.
Do you dream of performing on a West End stage? Or perhaps you have your heart set on starring in a hit TV series or award-winning film? Maybe you want to dance in venues across the globe?
Whichever exciting career in Performing Arts you’re aiming for, The Manchester College – the No.1 Further Education College in Greater Manchester for achievement* - can help you to achieve your ambitions.
*As per the latest Government National Achievement Rates Tables (NARTs)
3 reasons to study Performing Arts with us
Stage ready
Train in professional theatres, rehearsal studios, performance spaces, singing rooms and set/costume workshops
Expert tutors
Learn from tutors still active in theatre, musical theatre, film, TV and live performance
Showreel development
Build your portfolio through live performances, assessments and industry‑standard projects
Available courses
Where you'll learn
Our Performing Arts courses are based in our amazing new, state-of-the-art, four-storey City Campus Manchester next door to the AO Arena.
You'll benefit from these industry standard facilities that have been developed specifically for your course that will mirror the world of work, providing the perfect setting to help prepare you for a future career.
Our facilities are based on the top floor of the new campus looking out over the city of Manchester with direct access to the roof terrace.
These amazing new facilities will provide you with access to everything you will see once you enter the workforce, giving you the best possible chance to prepare for a future career.
Our facilities include:
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Two professional theatres on-site, including the fully equipped Longmore Theatre with 180-seat capacity
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Five double-height multi-purpose rehearsal studios with semi-sprung floors
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Dedicated performance assessment studio with panoramic city views
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Ensemble and 1-to-1 singing rooms for focused practice
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On-site scene dock, set design workshop and costume design area.
Where a career in Performing Arts can take you
Dramatherapist
Average Salary £38,907
Dancers & choreographers
Average Salary £34,531
Musicians
Average Salary £34,531
Talisha Peach • Level 3 Performing Arts (Dance)The College as a whole has influenced me to work harder and pushed me to reach my ambitions. Tutors have given me more information about the next steps I can take to achieve my goals, including the work experience I completed with my local dance school.
Connie Maguire • Level 3 Performing Arts (Dance)The College has helped me progress massively and encouraged me to continue pushing myself. My tutors have given continuous support in the run up to auditions to ensure we perform to the best of our ability. They’ve also given us amazing opportunities to work with professionals within the industry.
More about Performing Arts
About our courses
We offer Acting, Dance and Musical Theatre qualifications from Level 1 to Level 3.
While many people enjoy performing as a hobby, we focus on arming students with the skills and experience they need to enjoy a successful career.
Previous students have gone on to act in programmes like Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, perform at theatres such as the Royal Exchange, and dance on the X Factor and in touring musicals like Miss Saigon and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Get a taste of what it's like studying Performing Arts at The Manchester College and take a look at some of our students in action:
Our patrons
Sally Carman
When actor Sally Carman isn’t treading the cobbles of Coronation Street, you’ll often find her here at The Manchester College, as she’s our very first patron of Performing Arts. Sally supports our students in a range of ways, including through exclusive acting masterclasses and Q&A sessions.
Sally has been working as an actor for more than 20 years. She’s best known for her roles as Abi Franklin in Coronation Street and Kelly Maguire in Shameless, but has also appeared in Holby City, Doctors, Prisoners’ Wives, Silent Witness and numerous other TV programmes.
"Being a patron of the Performing Arts department is amazing. It’s so important to be able to express yourself and be happy in your own skin. It’s not only about actors and acting, it’s about creating fully formed human beings, and not losing the importance of arts and creativity." - Sally Carman
Elesha Paul Moses
Elesha Paul Moses has joined The Manchester College as Patron of Musical Theatre and Music Performance, bringing her powerhouse vocals, industry insight and decades of experience to inspire the next generation of performers.
With a career spanning over 25 years, Elesha is widely recognised for her show-stopping tribute performances as Whitney Houston in Whitney – Queen of the Night, as well as touring the UK as Tina Turner. Her impressive résumé includes appearances at the Royal Albert Hall, West End LIVE, the Diva Awards and the Wellbeing of Women’s Gala.
She recently visited the College to speak with students, sharing her personal journey, the resilience it’s taken to succeed, and what she hopes to bring to the department in her new role.
“I'm excited to be the new Patron of Performing Arts and Music at The Manchester College. The tools at this college are amazing and I’m looking forward to working with everyone.” - Elesha Paul Moses
Elesha’s passion, drive and positive mindset make her a true role model for aspiring performers - and her presence promises to leave a lasting impact across our Musical Theatre and Music Performance courses.
Do you have an EHCP or SEND need?
The Manchester College is committed to ensuring all our students receive the support they may need to achieve and enjoy college. We do this in a number of different ways including:
- Student Experience Support Team
- Careers Employability & Welfare
- Pastoral Support Officers
- Supported Learning
We also offer a bespoke transition service to new applicants with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), accessibility or medical need.
Want more information?
Find out even more about our Performing Arts department in our subject area guide or on our YouTube playlist:
Download our subject area guide
Stay up-to-date with everything that's going on in our Performing Arts department via social media:
Meet the team
Interested in progressing to higher education?
Take the centre stage and forge a career in the arts. Explore our degrees in Acting, Musical Theatre, Performing Arts and many more.
Related news
Performing Arts students from The Manchester College participated in a documentary broadcast as part of the current series of Waterloo Road on BBC.