Students from City of Westminster College’s Level 3 Diploma in Performing and Production Arts have secured a spot at Donmar Warehouse’s competitive Take the Stage and LOCAL Residency programmes.
Kicking off this term, 25 students will have the opportunity to develop their creative skills and gain a unique insight into the workings of one of London’s most celebrated independent theatres. Located in Covent Garden, Donmar Warehouse is a non-profit venue renowned for its powerful and innovative productions that nurture emerging talent and champion diverse voices in the arts.
The Take the Stage programme offers students a unique opportunity to collaborate with a professional director and to hone their acting skills within the iconic Donmar space. Participants will explore ongoing productions, engage with industry creatives and then create and stage their own original piece of theatre.
Complementing this, the 12-week LOCAL Residency invites learners to work closely with seasoned industry professionals. The programme empowers students to craft an original theatre piece that authentically reflects their personal experiences as young people living in London today.
To inspire their journey, the students recently enjoyed their first visit to Donmar with complimentary tickets to see a performance of Juniper Blood ─ giving them an early insight and motivation for their upcoming projects.
This partnership with Donmar represents a significant milestone for City of Westminster College and highlights the exceptional talent and dedication of its performing arts cohort.
Stephen Davis, CEO and Group Principal of United Colleges Group, said: “Collaborating with Donmar Warehouse provides our students with an exceptional opportunity to learn from sector leading professionals and express themselves through original, creative work. The creative arts is such an important sector in today’s environment, so we know that this experience will undoubtedly shape their future careers, whether that is in the arts or elsewhere.”
Take a look at what our students got up to during their residency program with the Donmar:
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
