AS and A2 level Performing Arts

AS and A2 level Performing Arts

This is an exciting course that has been designed to provide a broad educational basis for moving on to Higher Education or for employment in the Performing Arts. You will study drama, dance or music performance and will be encouraged to develop your own skills as a performer. You will also be encouraged to attend professional performances, where advanced performance and production values are applied. You will gain an understanding of the industry, evaluating both the performance and administrative elements of theatre. The vocational nature of this course encourages you to apply working methods used by professionals and offers a practical approach to the study of Performing Arts.

WHAT WILL I BE STUDYING ON THE COURSE?
At AS you will study:

·Exploring Skills for Performance
- you will develop an understanding of the essential skills in arts administration and marketing and the demands of Dance, Drama or Music Performance. In order to develop your skills, you will need to research professional and technical skills needed by people who work in your field.

·Planning for an Event
- you will be required to plan an actual event, identifying key factors that will inform the planning process. This may include a consideration of the target audience, budget, performing art form (Dance, Drama, Music, Musical Theatre), venue, contingency plans, style, genre, health and safety requirements and production costs.

·Performing to a Commission
- you will have the opportunity to create a performance piece in response to a commission set by the exam board. The work can either be original or adapted from existing material and will be assessed by a visiting examiner. The piece may use any or all of the performing arts.

At A2 you will study:

·Employment Opportunities

in the Performing Arts
- this unit will help you to understand what demands are made for those who wish to gain employment within the Performing Arts industry. You will audit your own skill base and evaluate how job demands relate to your own abilities and potential. You will report on the employment opportunities, develop a portfolio of skills in practice and evaluate your skills in line with progression opportunities.

·Advanced Performance Practice
- In this unit you will choose to specialise in a particular role as an actor, dancer, musician or singer. You will learn about preparation for performance, rehearsal and practice techniques, performing to an audience, different contexts in which practitioners perform and will evaluate your own development and performance. Your work for this unit will be presented in portfolio form.

·Production Delivery
- you will develop, rehearse and deliver a complete performance to a visiting examiner. You will create a performance company and will create a production brief stating how you will interpret the text, score or existing repertoire piece. You will develop skills in your own art form, production area or as a director.



HOW WILL THE COURSE BE ASSESSED?
There is no written exam and assessment is purely through portfolio and performance. You will develop a portfolio of work that includes photos, audition pieces, video recordings of rehearsal and performance work and written evidence of your work schedule for most units. A visiting examiner will assess your ability as a performer at the end of AS and A2.

WHAT OTHER SUBJECTS COULD I DO WITH PERFORMING ARTS?
The A level in Performing Arts will work well alongside any other programme of study.

AND AFTER THE COURSE?
The A level in Performing Arts will provide you with UCAS points. It will give you a wide choice of progression options into further study at university, training or relevant employment.