Our Performing Arts learners have taken part in some exciting projects this term!
Learners have taken part in National Theatre Connections 2026, with four sold-out performances of their play, ‘Fishville’, at George Street Chapel in Oldham and HOME in Manchester.
Connections is the National Theatre’s annual youth theatre festival. Each year, Connections commissions ten brand-new plays for young people to perform in professional venues across the UK.
Ten groups (one for each play) are then invited to perform at the Connections Festival at the National Theatre in June 2027. Oldham College is included in this consideration, and we are excited to hear the outcome!
Learners have also taken part in a separate workshop with the National Theatre, supporting the development of a brand-new play for 2027.
In addition to this, our actors, musicians and dancers at all levels are currently taking part in their Final Major Project festival. Performances on campus and at venues Billingtons in Oldham and 53Two in Manchester are giving our learners real-world experience of their future careers.
Layla, Level 2 Performing Arts, said: “It’s nice gaining experience working with new people – being able to showcase my talent and what I’ve learned from others in front of a live audience. I’d never performed at Home MCR before, it was different in a way that makes me want to do it more!”
Level 3 learner Grace said: “The shows that we create are really good because they can relate to both the students and the audience. Our shows always have a clear story and message that we care about. It’s great to be able to perform in different exciting venues, like 53Two and Home MCR. As an aspiring actress, it gives me a sense of what working in the industry might be like.”
Jacob Talbot, Programme Tutor for Performing Arts (Acting), said: “Professional standard live performances are a key part of Performing Arts learners’ professional development. In Performing Arts, we learn by doing – not only in nurturing performance skills, but in building resilience and independence.
“It’s vital that young performers gain experience with professionals from the industry. When knowledge, skills and insight is passed on to the next generation, it creates a better creative future. This such a key part of our curriculum at Oldham College.”
Interested in following in our learners’ footsteps? Explore our Performing Arts courses.
