Performing Arts

Course Overview

We believe that the arts campus is very special: a dedicated space for your creative journey. As a performer you will collaborate in the creation of events and shows, creating some amazing memories along the way.

This is an exciting course which aims to develop your performance skills in acting, dance and musical theatre. Throughout the year you will be able specialise in your preferred discipline or improve in all three 'triple threat' areas to a high standard. The course is highly practical with a focus on rehearsals and performance in all areas. We know that each student will have different skill levels and we will challenge and support you in equal measures as you explore your discipline and grow in skills and confidence.

The ethos is to learn through training and performance.

By completing this course, you will achieve a University of Arts London (UAL) Level 3 Diploma in Performing & Production Arts (Performance).

This is 2 year course and is equivalent to 3 A-Levels and is worth up to 168 UCAS points (Triple Distinction*) or 144 UCAS points (Triple Distinction). UCAS have recently changed the UCAS Tariff from September 2017 so they could include more qualifications. The new Tariff points are lower than the original Tariff points but the value remains the same, as universities will just use lower Tariff numbers in their entry requirements than in previous years.

First year - Your course will cover all aspects of actor training from classical theatre to the latest contemporary approaches. In dance training classes, you will study diverse genre from contemporary to jazz and street dance to professional repertoire. Performances range from a musical theatre showcase, a full scale in-house ensemble production, a contemporary dance show to a musical production at The Brewery Arts Centre. The course has many links in the community which means plenty of opportunity to perform in outside projects.

Second year - This year introduces extra units which include a full scale production of children's theatre to primary schools, an audition showcase of material for drama and dance schools, a Film and Television unit, a radio theatre training unit, a performing arts entrepreneur unit, a full scale dance production and major final musical production at The Brewery Arts Centre.

The course also invites in outside practitioners. Past work has included a street theatre project with 'The Bread & Butter Theatre', which culminated in a performance to the general public in Kendal; a Hip Hop workshop with 'DecaDance' from New York and a TV workshop with Karen Henthorn from Coronation Street, as examples.

There will also be a focus on supporting your reflective skill as you prepare your electronic portfolio throughout the year. Each year in January the Theatre Arts students take part in an optional residential in London visiting shows, exhibitions and taking part in workshops with musical theatre companies responsible for shows such as 'Hadestown', 'Come from Away' and 'Everybody's Talking about Jamie' for example.

You may also have work experience opportunities, where some students will engage with external clients and companies, developing your experience in the world of work.

You will benefit from being taught by tutors who have a wealth of knowledge, experience and analytical detail from working professionally in the field. You will have access to fantastic facilities, including state-of-the-art theatre, dance and drama studios.

The majority of lessons are practical however, you will be required to complete blogs, rehearsal diaries and assignments to support your knowledge, idea generation, research, reflection and evaluation to support you in creating your portfolio of evidence.

There are no formal exams, unless you are resitting your GCSE Maths and/or English.

All of our learners will be given support with their English and Maths skills where relevant to their main programme. Those students who have not yet achieved a 'C' or 4 grade (of higher) at GCSE in these subjects will continue to work towards these important qualifications at a level suited to them.