Overview

Do you love performing arts, dance, drama, West End shows? Are you creative in your approach? If you thrive on learning new performances, acting, variety and vocal skills then this could be the course for you!

You should choose to study Performing Arts if you enjoy performing and have a keen interest in progressing within the performing arts industry. It is a practical course with many opportunities for performing on stage & creating screen performances. You will study how to create & direct your own performances, key techniques and styles within performing arts and even get the opportunity to work with industry artists and companies.

You need a keen interest in performing arts and the confidence to perform in front of others. If you are experienced in performing arts already your skills will be put to good use. In addition to your studies there will be various trips and visits throughout the year allowing you to see a wide range of performances that will open your mind to new performance experiences, question and answer sessions and workshops.

What will you learn?

During year one you will cover the following units:

• Developing skills and techniques for performance – you will develop the appropriate skills and techniques for a performance discipline. You will participate in regular workshops, classes and exercises where you will acquire, practise and develop the necessary technical, practical and interpretative performance skills to help you succeed when performing live to an audience

• Storytelling – You will investigate the origins of traditional stories. By considering the purpose, as well as analysing their key features, you will gain an understanding of common structures, themes, settings and characters. You will consider the role of storytelling in performing arts and develop skills on how to adapt existing stories to meet the needs of specific audiences.

• Acting styles – You will be introduced to the basic differences of a range of styles of theatre and the approaches of theatre practitioners. You will take part in workshops that explore acting styles, techniques and practices used by different theatre practitioners in their work. This will enable you to create character, interpret lines and develop your vocal and physical skills while rehearsing and performing a text or devising original work.

In your second year you will cover:

• Screen Acting -You will develop an understanding of how to apply your acting skills and techniques in front of a camera. You will learn how to scale your performance both physically and vocally to suit the requirements of the camera. By looking at the work of established screen actors and examining different styles, you will develop an understanding of the acting skills required to being an effective performance to the screen

• Group performance workshop – You will learn how to respond to a given stimulus as part of a group, using research, discussion and practical exploration to develop performance material and later present an informal presentation of the work to an invited audience. As a member of a team, you will contribute to the creative development and rehearsal process, shaping and refining the work and applying performance and teamwork skills.

Who is the course aimed at?

This course is for you if you love performing arts, drama, west end shows, enjoy performing and are creative in your approach. If you enjoy practical work and thrive on learning new performance, acting skills, variety and vocal skills.

Entry Requirements & Other Info

Entry Requirements

Four or more GCSE grades 9-4 or equivalent in three or more subjects. Min grade 3 in GCSE English Language.

You must be able to perform confidently in front of others and will be required to informally audition for this course in the first few weeks.
Experiences

This course will provide you with the opportunity to hear from academic and industry professionals in talks and workshops to improve your skills and learn new techniques. You will also be given the chance to take part in college-wide performances and events, such as our Achievement Awards Evenings and Creative Arts Festival.
Progression

You can progress to a number of careers or to higher education from this course. Many of our students go on to university to study drama, dance, choreography, dance therapy, creative, media and performing arts courses with great success.
Outcomes

Past students have become professional stage and screen actors, singers, comedians, dancers, performers, other entertainers, and dance and PE teachers.  Other careers open to you would be roles that required outgoing, confident people who communicate to a high standard.