This practical course focuses on developing skills in performance. It is designed for Drama or Performing Arts students who love to act, and wish to further their skills in a range of performance styles. It is largely a contemporary selection of texts and explores acting styles, performance skills and directing, as well as analysis of professional works.
Students will complete the Extended Certificate over two years, which is the equivalent of one A-level. Typically, students in Acting have a very keen interest in all areas of Performing Arts, are keen to explore the range of skills required for the industry and are looking to a pursue a career in this industry and/or wish to study their passion at a higher level. The course generates UCAS points the same way as standard A-levels.
Course Content
Students will study the following mandatory units:
Unit
Content
Unit 1: Investigating Practitioners’ work
Students investigate the work of performing arts practitioners and develop critical analysis skills and contextual understanding of how practitioners communicate themes in their work. Students write about the practitioners works in an exam, where they are allowed to take in pre-prepared notes.
This mandatory unit is externally assessed (exam board).
Unit 2: Developing skills for techniques and performers
Students explore technical performance skills with a focus on developing skills and techniques in at least two performance styles. Generally this is a full length play, and a smaller performance in a second style. Students are required to complete coursework and a presentation alongside the practical work.
Unit 3: Group Performance workshop
Students Students explore and integrate creative, physical and vocal skills and techniques, working collaboratively to create a performance in response to a given stimulus. Students will perform their devised piece of 10-20 minutes to an audience, and will complete four pieces of controlled coursework alongside to explain their creative process and ideas.
The following unit is optional:
Unit
Content
Unit 19: Acting Styles
Students develop acting methods by exploring different acting styles. They will apply techniques to the development, rehearsal and performance of their practical work. Students will perform in a full scale production to a live audience, and will complete coursework and an acting report alongside the practical work.
Course Delivery
The course is taught by specialist practitioners. Assignments are set at regular intervals throughout the course and a very high level of student involvement is expected in all areas. Lessons are a mixture of practical workshops and rehearsals, and theory based lessons, aimed to provide students with the necessary key skills required for further training in this area at HE or beyond. Performances are especially important and it is expected that evening rehearsals and performances will take priority over work or social commitments.
Students will study the following mandatory units:
|
Unit |
Content |
|
Unit 1: Investigating Practitioners’ work |
Students investigate the work of performing arts practitioners and develop critical analysis skills and contextual understanding of how practitioners communicate themes in their work. Students write about the practitioners works in an exam, where they are allowed to take in pre-prepared notes. This mandatory unit is externally assessed (exam board). |
|
Unit 2: Developing skills for techniques and performers |
Students explore technical performance skills with a focus on developing skills and techniques in at least two performance styles. Generally this is a full length play, and a smaller performance in a second style. Students are required to complete coursework and a presentation alongside the practical work. |
|
Unit 3: Group Performance workshop |
Students Students explore and integrate creative, physical and vocal skills and techniques, working collaboratively to create a performance in response to a given stimulus. Students will perform their devised piece of 10-20 minutes to an audience, and will complete four pieces of controlled coursework alongside to explain their creative process and ideas. |
The following unit is optional:
|
Unit |
Content |
|
Unit 19: Acting Styles |
Students develop acting methods by exploring different acting styles. They will apply techniques to the development, rehearsal and performance of their practical work. Students will perform in a full scale production to a live audience, and will complete coursework and an acting report alongside the practical work. |
Course Delivery
The course is taught by specialist practitioners. Assignments are set at regular intervals throughout the course and a very high level of student involvement is expected in all areas. Lessons are a mixture of practical workshops and rehearsals, and theory based lessons, aimed to provide students with the necessary key skills required for further training in this area at HE or beyond. Performances are especially important and it is expected that evening rehearsals and performances will take priority over work or social commitments.
Assessment
Assignments are completed on a regular basis, and are both practical and theoretical. Students are expected to work independently to keep their folders updated, to include detailed information about their personal development in all areas. Performances will be assessed, but all work will also need to be accompanied by research, rehearsal and evaluative notes in a written portfolio folder. The students can opt to submit their internally assessed work in a range of formats including; blogs, PowerPoint presentations, via voice, video diary and written work. Some elements of the course are externally assessed. Unit 1 is a prepared written assessment taken under exam conditions on a set date by the exam board. Unit 3 is a practical assessment where learners prepare devised group performances in response to a given brief.
Assignments are completed on a regular basis, and are both practical and theoretical. Students are expected to work independently to keep their folders updated, to include detailed information about their personal development in all areas. Performances will be assessed, but all work will also need to be accompanied by research, rehearsal and evaluative notes in a written portfolio folder. The students can opt to submit their internally assessed work in a range of formats including; blogs, PowerPoint presentations, via voice, video diary and written work. Some elements of the course are externally assessed. Unit 1 is a prepared written assessment taken under exam conditions on a set date by the exam board. Unit 3 is a practical assessment where learners prepare devised group performances in response to a given brief.
Enrichment
You will automatically become a member of our highly successful St Brendan’s Performing Arts Academy which provides enrichment and exclusive opportunities when we can, National Theatre Connections, Acting through Song and Lighting and Sound workshops. Students benefit from regular workshops, performance opportunities, visiting speakers and theatre trips both locally and in London
As this is a very practical course, and looking to use real theatre experiences wherever possible, there is an expectation that students will be available to perform in a range of showcases throughout the year usually in the evenings, and all students should also experience being part of a supporting backstage crew. All students will be timetabled to do Enrichment weekly as extra rehearsal time to support their practical work.
You will automatically become a member of our highly successful St Brendan’s Performing Arts Academy which provides enrichment and exclusive opportunities when we can, National Theatre Connections, Acting through Song and Lighting and Sound workshops. Students benefit from regular workshops, performance opportunities, visiting speakers and theatre trips both locally and in London
As this is a very practical course, and looking to use real theatre experiences wherever possible, there is an expectation that students will be available to perform in a range of showcases throughout the year usually in the evenings, and all students should also experience being part of a supporting backstage crew. All students will be timetabled to do Enrichment weekly as extra rehearsal time to support their practical work.
Resources
Classes are taught in the purpose-built theatre, which has full access to a sophisticated range of lighting and sound equipment, and theatre technician. There is an adjoining classroom used for theory work and exam preparation. Additionally, Performing Arts has a Dance Studio with a sprung floor, and further rehearsal spaces.
Charges
Students are expected to purchase a Performing Arts Academy t-shirt, and take part in theatre trips where a charge will be made based on ticket price and cost of transport. There are further opportunities such as workshops and the chance to take part in a range of courses and enrichment activities, some of which come at a small cost.
Classes are taught in the purpose-built theatre, which has full access to a sophisticated range of lighting and sound equipment, and theatre technician. There is an adjoining classroom used for theory work and exam preparation. Additionally, Performing Arts has a Dance Studio with a sprung floor, and further rehearsal spaces.
Charges
Students are expected to purchase a Performing Arts Academy t-shirt, and take part in theatre trips where a charge will be made based on ticket price and cost of transport. There are further opportunities such as workshops and the chance to take part in a range of courses and enrichment activities, some of which come at a small cost.
Partnerships and Opportunities
We have strong links with local theatre companies and professional actors, and offer workshops with them as part of the course. This year, companies have included Fourth Monkey and West Acting Workshop. Students benefit from regular workshops, visiting speakers and theatre trips.
All students will become a member of the St Brendan’s Performing Arts Academy, which offers a range of opportunities with external industry professionals and cross-curricular links with other courses such as Dance, Drama and Music. We have strong links with local theatre companies, performing arts professionals, and offer workshops with them as part of the academy. We aim for every student to flourish and achieve their full potential. Developing your performance skills opens your horizons to this incredible Billion-pound industry that caters for over a million jobs in the UK (2.29 million creative industry jobs in the year up to September 2021). For more information on the Performing Arts Academy, please see one of our experienced teachers.
We have strong links with local theatre companies and professional actors, and offer workshops with them as part of the course. This year, companies have included Fourth Monkey and West Acting Workshop. Students benefit from regular workshops, visiting speakers and theatre trips.
All students will become a member of the St Brendan’s Performing Arts Academy, which offers a range of opportunities with external industry professionals and cross-curricular links with other courses such as Dance, Drama and Music. We have strong links with local theatre companies, performing arts professionals, and offer workshops with them as part of the academy. We aim for every student to flourish and achieve their full potential. Developing your performance skills opens your horizons to this incredible Billion-pound industry that caters for over a million jobs in the UK (2.29 million creative industry jobs in the year up to September 2021). For more information on the Performing Arts Academy, please see one of our experienced teachers.
Progression
Level 3 BTECs are valued by employers and higher education providers. Students completing this course have gone on to higher education courses such as BA Honours degrees in Drama, Performing Arts, and a selection of students have gone on to Performing Arts or Drama Schools.
The education element of the course would also be ideal for a teaching qualification and career, or to gain work in a theatre education department. Students may progress into careers such as acting, theatre backstage production and arts management. In addition to this, the transferable skills developed over the duration of the course also enable students to progress into a range of other employment in the creative industries, business, law and teaching.
Level 3 BTECs are valued by employers and higher education providers. Students completing this course have gone on to higher education courses such as BA Honours degrees in Drama, Performing Arts, and a selection of students have gone on to Performing Arts or Drama Schools.
The education element of the course would also be ideal for a teaching qualification and career, or to gain work in a theatre education department. Students may progress into careers such as acting, theatre backstage production and arts management. In addition to this, the transferable skills developed over the duration of the course also enable students to progress into a range of other employment in the creative industries, business, law and teaching.
Where can this course lead?
You might also be interested in
