Performing Arts

Vocational qualification

In Plymouth

£ 1,900 + VAT

Description

  • Type

    Vocational qualification

  • Location

    Plymouth

  • Duration

    2 Years

  • Start date

    September

We run this course as a theatre company in training, so this is a brilliant chance to develop as a performer and be involved in theatre history and the performing arts. You will study the techniques inherent to performance and there is also a strong business administration theme. You will present your work regularly to other students and will take part in at least two public performances each.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Plymouth (Devon)
See map
Kings Road, PL1 5QG

Start date

SeptemberEnrolment now open

About this course

four GCSEs at grades D-F (including English and maths)
a BTEC foundation diploma in a related subject
an NVQ level 1/technical certificate in a related subject
successful completion of the E2E/Prince†s Trust programme
equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience.

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Course programme


Course Content

Award:
NOCN Progression Award/BTEC National Award/BTEC National Diploma

What's it all about?:
We run this course as a theatre company in training, so this is a brilliant chance to develop as a performer and be involved in theatre history and the performing arts. You will study the techniques inherent to performance and there is also a strong business administration theme. You will present your work regularly to other students and will take part in at least two public performances each year of the course. One of these in each year is likely to be in a public theatre outside the college. This two year programme is made up of several qualifications, taught in bite sized chunks. This means that you will gain qualifications as you progress rather than just at the end.

Progression:
Upon successful completion you may progress to:
  • a Foundation Degree in the Performing Arts area
  • a BA (Hons) Degree in the Performing Arts area
  • a performance course at drama school.


Entry Requirements:
  • four GCSEs at grades D-F (including English and maths)
  • a BTEC foundation diploma in a related subject
  • an NVQ level 1/technical certificate in a related subject
  • successful completion of the E2E/Prince†s Trust programme
  • equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience.


Duration: Two years Course Overview
What does the course involve?:

You will study the following units:
  • Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers - actors and dancers are often required to sing as part of their performance work and the development of good vocal technique is, therefore, vital to avoid problems with the voice. This unit encourages the development and maintenance of the voice through regular and sustained practice. The development of confidence is vital. you will share your work with your peers in workshop performances of solo and ensemble pieces, which will take place on a regular basis.
  • Developing Voice For The Actor - one of the prime tools at the actor's disposal is the voice. This unit introduces you to the physiological principles of voice production. While the muscles and organs that produce the voice are the focus of the actor's training regime, the voice cannot be divorced from the entire body. The competent actor is a healthy actor.
  • Drama Improvisation - being able to improvise is enormously helpful for anyone wanting to be a performer and it is an essential skill for any actor. Not all actors like having to improvise scenes and ideas in their work, but those who can, with speed, wit and ingenuity, find it a hugely important tool in their box of skills. Improvisation is the starting point for devised theatre since it allows writers and directors to use actors' skills to create and develop themes and ideas for plays. This unit will allow you to fully explore how improvisation can work for an actor.
  • Devising Plays - the process of devising plays requires a demanding and subtle set of skills. The playwright often experiences a lonely and fraught period while the content of the play slowly reveals itself on the pages of a script. This unit requires you to engage with the devising process in a group context. The process of creating the play will become the responsibility of the group who will need to share the necessary tasks that will result in a unique and original performance piece.
  • Developing Movement Skills - movement is an intrinsic element of everyday life. From pedestrian movement to the complex physical skills of a premier league football player, it is one thing that connects us all. From the smallest facial expression to the most physically demanding classical ballet, movement plays a vital role on both stage and screen. This unit introduces the you to the main principles of movement. It provides a solid foundation on which to build performance skills. It is about the skills required to use the body as an expressive instrument
  • Principles of Acting - acting is a mixture of techniques and art. The actor needs to connect mastery of their technique with an imaginative and creative approach to their work. Understanding the essential principles of acting is the springboard from which successful performances are launched. In this unit you will also discover how to interpret and realise text and how to communicate this text effectively to an audience.
  • Script Writing - this unit will provide valuable opportunities for you to experience some of the pre-production processes that take place in the performing arts industry. You will develop a script for performance, starting from initial concepts and rough drafts, through a process of editing, testing and refining to a final script. You will also explore the different kinds of script used in radio, television, film and stage.
  • The Historical Context of Performance - p erformance work does not just happen in a vacuum. It all came from somewhere and staging, presentation style and subject are determined and influenced by a range of external or historical factors. This unit is about gaining a working knowledge of the historical, social, political, economic, technical and cultural contexts of the performing arts.
  • Performance Workshop - this unit allows you to explore the process of making performance and to try out performance ideas in a practical workshop situation. It gives you an exciting opportunity to explore and integrate the skills your are developing to create a piece of performance work. You will work on two workshop performances: one devised from scratch, using stimuli which may come from a range of sources, and the other using scriptedor prepared material as the starting point for the development and rehearsal process.


When can I study?:
Monday to Friday

Are there any exams?:
You will be continually assessed throughout each stage. This will include projects, ongoing work, practice routine, tests and evaluation. Key skills will also be assessed.
Course Facts
  • Apply Now

Start Date:
1 September 2009

End Date:
30 June 2011

Course Type:

Full-time

Location:
Goschen Centre

Course Fees:
£1900 per year. If you are receiving certain benefits, you may only have to pay a material fee.

Instalments:
Instalments are available for course fees. A deposit of £475.00 per year is payable before enrolment followed by three monthly payments of £475.00 per year

Material Fees:
£25 per year.

Level:
Advanced

Course Code:
DRA

Certain "part-time" courses may become "full-time" courses if additional courses are taken.

If you are aged 16-18, due to Government funding, tuition fees are not applicable for your course (Please note: this does not apply to foundation degrees).

Please note that fees quoted apply to courses starting in the academic year 2009/10 (August 2009 - July 2010). There may be a slight increase in fees for courses starting 2010/11.

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Case Studies
The course helped me to develop my skills and confidence, and figure out what I wanted to do in the future. I loved my course because of the teaching I received, the people you get to work with, and the knowledge of the industry by the tutors.

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Performing Arts

£ 1,900 + VAT