COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is delivered part-time (12 hours per week) over one year and is divided into three twelve-week terms. There is a two-week break between each term. The dates and times for 2010 are as follows:

DATES:

Term 1: 1st February - 25th April
Term 2: 10th May - 1st August 
Term 3: 16th August - 14th November

CLASS TIMES:

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm - 9.30pm plus Saturdays from 10am - 5pm

OR

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am - 3pm

OR

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am - 5pm

OR 

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6pm-10pm

COURSE CONTENT

CORE UNITS

Term 1: Devised Theatre Performance

This unit is about devising work for performance as part of an ensemble. Students will examine ways of responding to a brief or to a stimulus and developing ideas into a performance piece. Students will be encouraged to use performance and acting skills acquired during rehearsals and to apply them to the context of producing group-created original work. A one-act play created by the group will be performed to a public audience in Week 12.  

Term 2: Contemporary Theatre Performance

This unit is about the application of acting techniques to contemporary theatre texts. Students will be able to adapt and develop their acting skills using styles appropriate for plays written post 1950. A one-act contemporary play will be performed to a public audience in Week 12.  

Term 3: Classical Theatre Performance

This core unit is about acting in a classical theatre performance. Students will develop particular acting skills as they apply to classical texts. They will be designated a role within the performance company based on an audition, and on their work in the preceding units. This unit takes place within the context of a performance company that simulates the working environment and conditions of a professional performance company. A full-length classical play (usually Shakespeare) will be performed to a public audience and industry guests in Week 12.

INTEGRATED UNITS

Acting

This unit is about the process and skill of acting. In this unit students will develop the technical and interpretive skills necessary to work as an actor. It will enable students to use exercises and techniques that can be applied in a range of vocational contexts as an actor. The rehearsals will mostly be teacher-led and directed, although from the early stages students will be made aware that there is a great deal of individual preparation work that an actor has to undertake outside the rehearsal room.

Voice

This unit is about using the voice as a performing instrument. Students will develop the skills required to enhance their vocal technique and to use the voice more efficiently in performance. The unit will establish good practice regarding the care and use of the voice via a regular programme of exercises, from which students derive their theory. Care will be taken to combine voice and movement work during warm-ups, so that the body becomes an instrument and sounding board for the voice.

Movement

This unit is about developing movement skills as a performer. It is about how to use the body as an expressive instrument. The learning activities in this unit are largely practical and will allow students to develop confidence in the performance of a range of physical activities and styles. Students will be encouraged to apply physical skills in all aspects of their performance work and the integrated nature of this work should be recognised and developed.

Improvisation

This unit is about using improvisation skills in theatre. Students will develop improvisational skills that can then be used in the acting and / or devising process. The unit will use practical workshop classes to develop students’ improvisational skills. These will mostly be teacher-led and structured, although the exploratory nature of the activities allows for a high degree of flexibility and creative variation from any set pattern.

Professional Practice

This unit is about how the performing arts sector offers significant opportunities for employment. Students will gain an understanding of the nature of the industry and recognise the professional requirements needed to gain employment in the sector. They will also gain an understanding of casting processes and how their own skills and attributes may be best utilised to secure a role within the industry.

The exercises and activities designed to develop skills in the above areas are integrated into the rehearsal period of each production. This ensures all learning opportunities are made relevant and put into immediate context.

PERFORMANCES 

Each production is directed by a highly experienced and qualified teacher / director. The director is different for each term. Productions are staged over several nights in the final week of each term, in front of a public audience. Guests such as critics, casting directors and agents are invited to view student performances. This allows those students wishing to enter the theatre, film or television industry the opportunity to showcase their work.