Sheffield Theatres and Sheffield Hallam University Announce Exciting New Partnership

Photography by Smart Banda

The largest producing theatre complex in the UK has partnered with Sheffield Hallam University to launch an intensive new degree, the first of its kind in the city.

Sheffield Theatres have officially launched a BA Musical Theatre degree programme, aiming to develop emerging talent in the region.

Ashley Barnes, Deputy Head of Sheffield Creative Industries Institute at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “This comes at a time of cultural renaissance for Sheffield, with the recent announcements of Sheffield being longlisted for City of Culture and the new development of the Crucible Theatre.

“Attendance of live performances has grown steadily in the UK since the pandemic, and we want to harness this energy and create a platform for new voices to emerge.”

The programme was officially launched on 25th June at the opening night of Sheffield Theatres’ latest musical production, Summer Holiday. It will teach students essential musical theatre skills that will allow them to flourish both on and backstage, including working behind the scenes on songwriting, choreography, production and directing.

Sheffield Theatres are renowned for their work across their four venues: the Crucible, the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, the Lyceum, and the Montgomery. Many award-winning shows were born at Sheffield Theatres, including the Life of Pi, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Standing at the Sky’s Edge.

Tom Bird, Chief Executive and Elizabeth Newman, Artistic Director Sheffield Theatres, said: “Our theatres have an exceptionally strong pedigree in musicals, having originated Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Standing at the Sky’s Edge in recent years - while also producing landmark musical revivals in the Crucible and presenting the finest touring shows in the Lyceum.

“Sheffield Theatres’ relationship with Sheffield Hallam University runs very deep, and we are overjoyed to add this new element, one which we hope will provide a new way into musical theatre for many young people in South Yorkshire and beyond.”

Students will be able to apply to the exciting new course from September 2027. Click here for more information: https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/acting-film-and-tv/ba-honours-musical-theatre/full-time