Theatre and drama school partner on musical theatre qualification

Chelmsford Theatre is teaming up with drama school Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts to offer a new performing arts course in Chelmsford.

The course will offer a Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Musical Theatre that will be validated by the University of East Anglia.

The course plans to help students understand vocational routes through career tutorials, audition preparation, and individual coaching.

Rhys Thomas, director of Chelmsford Theatre, says the course is a first for performing arts students in Essex. 

“There is a clear gap in Higher Education Musical Theatre courses beyond Level 3 here in Essex, especially in Chelmsford,” Thomas added. “It’s something we’re really aware of and why we’ve been working hard to fill that void and secure new opportunities for young local creatives.”

Mountview, based in Peckham, will also run the course in five other locations in the 2025-26 academic year, through partnerships with Z-arts in Manchester, Exeter Phoenix in Exeter, Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham and BEAM in Hertford.

Sally Ann Gritton, Mountview principal, said the course in musical theatre gives aspiring artists preparation for a theatre career or an undergraduate performing arts degree.

“Since launching the course in five locations in 2024, we’re proud to keep extending opportunities for students around the UK to access training in the performing arts,” Gritton added.

“As a growing and vibrant community hub, Chelmsford Theatre is a brilliant new host venue, offering prospective students world-class training in a safe and professional theatre setting.”