Performing Arts – Level 3

Required qualifications

To apply for the Level 3 course, you will need a minimum of 4 GCSE’s at grade 4 or higher and includes English and/or maths. As part of your programme of study, you will have the opportunity to complete an English or maths qualification if you have not already achieved a Grade 4. You will be invited to attend an interview and audition/taster session where you will have the opportunity to meet the team and participate in practical workshop sessions. Prior qualifications and previous experience in performing arts in any setting would be useful but we really want to see your enthusiasm and interest in the subject.

What skills will I develop?

During the course you will acquire skills and knowledge to develop your stagecraft in the three disciplines of drama, dance and singing as well as experience in performing and understanding how the performing arts industry works. You will develop your understanding and skill in technique, exploring techniques pioneered by practitioners to enhance your own practice, such as Brecht, Stanislavski, Shakespeare, contemporary dance, jazz dance and classical ballet. Exploring different acting and dance styles will support you in your own creative ideas which you will have the opportunity to develop in to performance.

You will develop an understanding of safe practice in all disciplines, knowing how your voice and body works so that you are able to work effectively. There will be opportunities for you to experience script writing, directing, acting for film and TV and you will be able to carry out your own investigative practice.

You will learn how to prepare for progression through studying the Industry, employment opportunities, roles and responsibilities, etc, so that you can prepare and market yourself accordingly. You will also participate in performance opportunities in different settings in order to give you the experience of how to approach performance style and how to communicate with an audience. The icing on the cake will be the opportunity to work collaboratively with other departments such as music, media and fashion in an end of year production which is performed at an external venue therefore giving you real experience of what it is like to work professionally.

Careers

Successful completion of this course could lead to progression onto Higher Education or Industry.

Some of our recent students have gone on to study degree courses or gone straight in to industry in careers such as a performer, teacher, stage manager, script writer, assistant director, technical theatre, youth/community work, holiday resort entertainers and some have also found success in progressing onto specialist institutions in London and as far afield as Barcelona!

Creative Industries are the fastest growing sector in the UK economy. Many of the skills gained from studying performing arts are transferable and are valued by all types of employers.

Work experience

Our dedicated Work Experience team are here to help and support you in finding a meaningful work experience opportunity.

Recent studies have shown that employers consider work experience to be extremely desirable. Whilst qualifications are hugely important, employers also require candidates to have skills and experience necessary for the workplace.

Preparing you for the working world is very important to us, so that you may be successful in your next step.

Work experience placements provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills; have a better understanding of the industry you want to work in and give you an insight into what it is like to be employed. They can also be great fun and very rewarding and you may even be offered a great reference, a part–time job, holiday working hours, apprenticeships or full-time jobs.

Once you start your course you will be provided with further information about work experience programmes, but it is never too early for you to start thinking about work experience placements and finding an employer who will offer you an opportunity.

Work experience is an opportunity for you to gain experience in your chosen career path in order to develop relevant skills. Equally, it also helps you to acquire employability skills, attitudes and behaviours that are essential for future employment. There will be an opportunity for you to reflect on your performance during work experience and you will receive some form of reference/feedback from the employer.

English and maths

Skills in English and maths are an important within all creative roles. Reading and analysing texts are important to develop understanding of character and narrative and help to develop the same skills you will need in auditions and contracts. Research and investigation are also significant aspects of the course in order to develop understanding of context. Professional artistes always critically reflect on their work in order to make improvements and so learning to evaluate your own practise helps you to foster that same professional discipline. Knowing how to market yourself through the writing of an actors CV or through the preparation of a personal statement require proficient literacy skills which are developed throughout the course.

Maths skills are also important in both creative and theoretical tasks. Understanding shape and dimensions can help support physically creative ideas and measurement can support improvement in physical skills. Analysis of data and use of graphs can be useful ways of communicating your understanding in formal pieces of work and can provide you with the skills of making your work look more professional. Understanding budgets could also provide you with invaluable knowledge to help you in progression and to support you when working in a professional capacity.

Having all these skills and more, can help you to become ‘work ready’.

Other important information

Energy, enthusiasm and a strong sense of commitment are very much needed for the study of performing arts, as is determination and resilience towards improvement and success. Within performing art industry, students will need to attend auditions and learn lines. The college will support you to make sure you are best prepared to succeed.

As a vocational course we establish the professional working practices that are embedded in the industry so you will be required to ‘have a go’ at everything the course offers.

There is a strong element of practical work and so appropriate clothing is essential, in order to work safely and effectively. T-shirts, leggings, jogging bottoms, leotards are all acceptable for practical activities as well as a pair of black jazz shoes. You will also be required to purchase plays and scripts for your course to support your studies. Notebooks are needed for all lessons so that you can make notes on theoretical aspects. Access to a computer or laptop is needed as you will be required to conduct research and produce formal pieces of written work. The ability to record yourself participating in practical work can also be useful as a method of self-reflection. The college also runs a trip each year, alternating between London and Paris. These trips are popular with students as it is an opportunity to experience cultural and educational opportunities together.