About Us

BDC Theatre College is a private specialist performing arts school based just outside Bath. BDC offers a vocational training course that prepares students to take the next step towards a career in the performing arts industry. Alongside foundation training, the course includes a BTEC level 3 extended diploma in performing arts (equivalent to three A levels).

The course includes intensive training in a variety of dance and musical theatre genres. A select number of students are offered places each year and through focussed study, students develop the skill, stamina and discipline required for higher level training or professional work. BDC has seen great success in recent years with 100 percent of students that auditioned last year going on to secure places at some of the country’s leading drama, musical theatre and dance schools including: Laine Theatre Arts, Urdang Academy, Bird College, GSA (Guildford School of Acting) and Mountview Academy of Performing Arts.

BDC Theatre College was created following the retirement of professional dancer and current Artistic Director George Hill and is based in recently refurbished Victoria Hall which boasts five light and airy dance studios and an in-house studio theatre.

The Course

Our foundation course, which includes a BTEC qualification equivalent to three A levels, is accessible to students aged 16 plus and is built around an extensive programme of training in dance and musical theatre. As part of a small intake, students receive specific feedback and critique during classes, allowing them to continually develop and improve. There are three formal performance opportunities throughout the year giving students the chance to demonstrate their skills in-front of a live audience. Performances take place in the college’s 100 seat tiered studio theatre at the end of each term.

Offering 5 full days of training per week our unique foundation course is made up of two elements:

Element One:

Practical Foundation training

The course is built around a vigorous programme of dance technique training. Regular classes in ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap form the backbone and are complemented by additional classes in commercial dance, improvisation, choreography, body conditioning, drama, ensemble singing, private singing tuition and musical theatre integration classes as well as masterclasses with leading industry professionals.

Certain core classes are split by ability, ensuring that classwork is of an appropriate level, allowing students to continually develop and improve. Our qualified teaching staff, having completed their own training and worked professionally within the industry themselves, have the knowledge and experience to guide students towards their next steps.

Element Two:

BTEC Qualification,
168 UCAS points

We also offer a level 3 extended diploma in performing arts, equivalent to three A levels, enabling students to continue their academic journey whilst also pursuing our foundation course. Students use skills developed through the practical foundation training to complete projects including; performance workshop (choreography), performing arts in the community, individual performance commission and examinations in core subjects such as; ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary dance technique.

Practical work makes up the majority of the BTEC qualification, assessed through classwork and performance. There are also a small number of written assignments on which students are assessed. We offer this qualification alongside our foundation training as it gives students the necessary UCAS points to gain access to degree courses upon graduation, should they wish.

The BTEC qualification is delivered through an affiliation with The Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership and The Sixth Form www.msnsixth.com.

Faculty

Our teaching staff are qualified both by their professional experience as well as their teaching skills. We also invite regular guest teachers, who are still working in the industry, to take master classes in various dance genres. The college has well established links with the Shh Talent Agency who represent some of the country’s leading musical theatre performers, dancers and actors. Agents regularly attend in-house performances and keep a close eye on progress made throughout training and, if appropriate, may choose to represent students post BDC as they take their next step.

George Hill - artistic director

Training at the Royal Ballet School London, George danced with the Royal Ballet and toured with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. He was awarded the Lynn Seymour Award for expressive dance, and in 2003 was a young British dancer of the year finalist. In 2004, he was a Royal Academy of Dance Adeline Genee finalist at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Greece. Upon graduation, he went on to join the Semoperoper Ballet in Germany and the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam touring internationally throughout Europe, Asia, and America. His repertoire includes dancing soloist and principal roles in classics such as; The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Giselle, and Sleeping Beauty as well as working with modern choreographers such as Forsythe, Kylian, and Mats Ek.

Wishing to explore the world outside of the Opera House, George went on to perform in the German premiere of Tabaluga the Musical and returned to London’s Westend to create and star in McQueen The Play at the Haymarket Theatre, Piccadilly and had a regular slot at The London Cabaret Club. George has danced in music videos for bands such as The 1975 and Sticky Fingers as well as acting in dramas for television and film. George has also modeled internationally for fashion houses including Prada, Jil Sander, and Moschino.

George is regularly invited as a guest teacher and has lectured for the International Dance Teachers Association, the International Dance Teachers Convention, and Move It, London, to name a few.

caroline albrow

Caroline trained at Sue Hill Dance before joining BDC and then completing her training at Bird College where she graduated with a first class honours degree. Upon graduation Caroline was offered a position on a cruise ship, however instead decided to focus her energy on her development as an actress. Represented by Shh Talent, Caroline now works as a actress alongside teaching drama, acting through song and musical theatre integration.

Myron Birch*

Training at LIPA Myron’s theatre credits include: Melanie C, Nokia, Robbie Williams, The Brit Awards, Thriller Live, X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing.

*Guest teacher

DAWN CLARK

Training at the Royal Ballet Lower and Upper School, Dawn was a soloist with Scottish Ballet for 14 years performing around the world. Throughout her career, she danced many leading classical roles in classical ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Giselle to name a few.

fin collinson*

Fin trained at BDC before completing his training at Performers, Essex. Upon graduation Fin has joined Princess Cruises where he is touring South America and the Caribbean.

*Guest teacher

TJ Firmin*

TJ trained at BDC before moving on to complete his training at Rambert School of Contemporary Dance. TJ has worked as a member of Ballet Boyz, touring the country and as a freelance dance artist has worked in music videos with artists including Ellie Goulding.

*Guest teacher

Jarry Glavin*

Jarry trained at the Royal Ballet School, London and professional credits include: The Royal Ballet, The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet. Jaered has additionally worked internationally as a contemporary and jazz choreographer receiving recognition from Lady Gaga.

*Guest teacher

SUE HILL

With over 40 years of teaching experience Sue brings a wealth of knowledge to our staff. Deciding at a young age that teaching was her passion Sue started her own school, the Susan Hill School of Dancing in 1982 and his since taught thousands of children across all levels. With a BA honours in Dance, Sue has produced a number of shows and provided dancers for many corporate events including the Paralympics in 2012 and most recently Sky Sports. Sue additionally owns a boutique agency which represents a number of clients currently working in film, television and theatre.

KATIE HUMPHRIES

Katie trained at Performers College, London and as a professional dancer performed alongside artists including Kylie Minogue, Lionel Richie and S Club 7 to name a few. Since retiring from dance Katie has taken an active role in choreography and was recently commissioned by Guy Garvey to create a piece for the South Bank Centre, London.

candice morton-smart

raining at Central School of Ballet, London, upon graduation Candice went on to dance professionally with The Salzburg Ballet and Dance Company Amsterdam. She has also performed with Bejart Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet as a guest artist and in the Westend production of Cats.

joshua newport

Joshua has over 14 years experience as a musical director, arranger, composer and musician from industry right across the UK. For over 10 years, he has taught singing, working across many genres of music, using elements of the Estill voice model, he imparts the right blend of technical skills and encouragement needed to develop and protect the developing voice. His passion and enthusiasm for performance, coupled with his meticulous attention to detail, helps our company members develop the skills and confidence to deliver exceptional performances.

hattie rogers*

Hattie trained at BDC before going on to complete her training at Laine Theatre Arts. Since graduation, Hattie has worked internationally on cruise ships as a dancer touring areas from the Baltics to the Caribbean. Alongside teaching at BDC Hattie has also previously taught at Laine Theatre Arts.

*Guest teacher

paula sturgess

Paula trained in vocal studies at Chethams School of Music and is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music. Musical Theatre Credits include: Fantine in Les Miserables, Oliver, Cats (UK tour) Chess and played the leading lady, Eva Peron in Evita. She has appeared in concerts fo Andrew Lloyd Webber and as a soloist with the RTE Orchestra in Dublin. Paula has also sung regularly as a soloist on BBC Radio 2 series of songs from the shows.

lulu tucker*

As a child training at Sue Hill Dance and later BDC Lulu went on to complete her studies at the Urdang Academy London. Upon graduation, she joined Royal Caribbean playing the role of Frenchy in Grease. She looks forward to returning to the cast of Grease soon however is happy to be able to give back to the place where it all began.

*Guest teacher

Ella wilkinson

Training with Sue Hill Dance and later BDC Ella went on to complete her training at Millennium Performing Arts, London graduating with a first-class honors degree. Upon graduation, Ella decided that she wanted to teach and has continued her studies with the International Dance Teachers Association.

Facilities

BDC Theatre College is based in the historic Victoria Hall in Radstock. The building underwent extensive and sympathetic renovation in 2013 resulting in four light and airy studios, and a large theatre style studio with tiered seating, providing an inspiring setting for the students to undertake their training. We also have an additional fifth studio in our sister building less than a two-minute walk from the main building.

All rooms are fitted with ballet barres and mirrors, along with top quality sprung dance floors and sound systems to match; some studios additionally house pianos. Our fully equipped 100 seat tiered studio theatre provides students with the perfect platform to perform and show off their technical and artistic skills learnt in training, in front of live audiences, with regular performance opportunities taking place throughout the year.

Within the building there are ample changing facilities including lockers for personal items. In breaks between classes, students can relax in our comfortable coffee bar. Within walking distance from the college is a large co-op and convenience stores. There is a regular bus route from the centre of bath, every fifteen minutes, dropping students outside the Victoria Hall. Students are additionally able access college buses with pickup points across Bristol, Keysham, Shepton Mallet, Frome and Bath. With Bath Dancewear conveniently located across the road, students are able to access specialist pointe shoe fittings and buy any uniform or dancewear required.

Alumni

Upon leaving BDC, most students fall into one of the three following categories;

Option
One:

Further Training

Should students feel they would like to pursue further training, BDC help students research and audition for courses that suit their future career ambitions.

Past students have been successful in gaining places at leading performing arts institutes both nationally and internationally, with students currently training at Urdang Academy, Laine Theatre Arts, Guildford School of Acting, Doreen Bird Theatre College, London Studio Centre, and Millennium to name a few.

Option
Two:

Employment

It is possible that upon graduation some students do not wish to continue training and feel ready to take on the professional world.

Students will have the opportunity to leave BDC with a show reel, (highlighting and showcasing their personal talents), an up to date CV, and possibly an agent. This enables them to secure auditions and employment that suits their own personal ambition.

Past students are currently working across America and Europe in the fields of acting, and dance.

Option
Three:

Higher & Further Education

Following their training at BDC, it is possible that students decide that they may prefer a career behind the lights as opposed to in front of them. Should this be the case, BDC help students through this transition, looking together with a member of staff at possible courses on offer – aiding students through the whole process from application to interview.

It is important to BDC that students are helped and still directed following their graduation, as they take their first steps in the industry. With a close connection to leading talent agency, Shh! Talent, students are given the opportunity to meet with the agents, who keep a close eye on progress throughout training and, if appropriate, may choose to represent students post BDC. Shh! Talent currently represents some of today’s leading musical theatre and acting artists.