Acting BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Summary:

This BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts- Acting is for people who are passionate about acting and performance. The course is vocational which means you will undertake the role of an actor throughout the two years. You will participate in public performances and become part of our theatre company Platform Productions. The company’s artistic policy is to provide theatre of the highest quality within the local community and beyond. Platform Productions embraces the talents of young people and provides a hub for learning, training and development. You will gain all the necessary skills and experiences within a working theatre. You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. You will also be required to attend theory based classes which develop your knowledge and understanding of the acting industry.

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma is a nationally recognised qualification which is the equivalent to three A Levels.

Course Code: A4520 Minimum Age: 16 Start Date: 02/09/2013 End Date: 03/07/2015 Course Length: Two years Entry Requirements:

You will normally need to have at least one of the following: a BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in a related subject, an Intermediate GNVQ in a related subject, at least four GCSEs at grades A*-C, appropriate work experience. You will also be expected to attend an audition/interview workshop day, where you will be required to participate in practical activities, perform a prepared audition piece and undertake a short interview. Dates and venue for the audition/interview workshops will be given to you by the Admissions team once you have made your application.

Core Skills:

Actor; Personal Specification

Key Tasks:• learning lines and rehearsing;
• researching or undertaking activities to help prepare for a part;
• discussing interpretation and delivery with other members of the company and the director;
• performing for a live audience;
• performing in a theatre or 'on location';
• audio as well as visual performances;
• rehearse/polish performances in your own time
• managing the day to day running of the theatre, including front of house duties

Personal Specification
As a new member of the company, you will need the following skills and experiences;

• enthusiasm for the area of work
• some acting training/experience
• commitment to the work and flexibility in times of rehearsal and performance (you will be required to work evenings)
• ability to memorise lines
• ability to take direction, accept criticism, and work well under pressure
• focussed, self-disciplined and motivated
• excellent communication skills
• creative and imaginative
• ability to work well as part of a team
• organised
• able to reflect and evaluate own practice
• ability to manage own time effectively

Assessment:

Assessment is on-going throughout the course and requires you to complete projects and assignments based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. Assessment activities that you may undertake include participating in practical workshops, rehearsals, performances, coursework, research, keeping journals, writing essays, giving presentations, discussing and evaluating work.

Academic Progression:

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas are valued by employers and higher education (universities, colleges and accredited drama schools). If you want to get a job straight away you could work in theatres in a supporting role. If you decide to go to university or college you could take a degree, Foundation degree or drama training.

The acting course team engage with a range of drama schools and universities throughout the year, this includes visits to the institutions themselves and representatives from accredited drama schools working with us here at the college. Previous schools have included included Lamda, East 15, GSA, Mountview and Arts Ed.

Career Progression:

Successful completion of this course serves as preparation for a career in the arts and entertainment industries. This may be subject to further training at drama school, university or via an apprenticeship

Full Description:

The course is made up of seventeen units which cover a range of subjects, the programme is arranged into a mixture of weekly rehearsal and performance projects. The aim is to provide a broad range of skills and experiences to enable you to progress onto drama school, university or a career in the arts.

All students take the following units:

• Performance Workshop
• The Performing Arts Business
• Rehearsing for Performance (double unit)
• Performing to an Audience
• The Historical Context of Performance
• Devising Plays
• Theatre in Education
• Theatre for Children
• Classical Theatre Performance
• Contemporary Theatre Performance
• Audio Performance Acting
• Auditions for Actors
• Principles of Acting
• Applying Acting Styles
• Drama Improvisation
• Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers
• Performing with Masks

How the course is structured

The course is structured to allow students to experience what life is like as an actor. The units specified above are arranged into projects. Therefore, instead of the traditional model of weekly lessons on diverse subject, participants will work intensively on preparation and rehearsal, culminating in regular performances.

Through participation in these projects you will develop your acting and performance skills as well as your understanding of the performing arts as a whole.

The projects are often commissioned by outside agencies, as they would a professional acting company. This offers you the opportunity to create work for real stakeholders which gives a feel for working in the current arts scene.

You will spend approximately fifteen hours a week at College and at The Garage with your tutors having taught sessions. You will be expected to match this time with your own rehearsal, preparation, research and homework per week. During production periods you will be expected to spend more time at the College in order to undertake and keep to rehearsal schedules.

It is essential as an actor that you see as much theatre as you can; therefore we arrange regular trips to theatres across the county to see a variety of work produced. We also arrange a yearly residential trip, and in the past we have visited London, Italy and New York.

Please contact the Advice Shop for details of costs and start dates.

Please note that although the information given is believed to be correct at the time of publication, course information, costs where applicable and attendance details may change.

Pay online
You can now pay for courses online, go to the online payments page.