Level 3 National Foundation/Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice

You will hold 4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above.

This will include English Language at a minimum of grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2.

Alternatively, a relevant Level 2 Diploma (equivalent of 4 GCSEs) at Merit. If you are 19+ you will be required to have two years industry experience.

You will be expected to purchase college stationary (notebook, pens, pencil).You will need to wear black clothing which must be comfortable and suitable for practical sessions.

You will meet with a course tutor to find out more about the course, discuss which course is right for you and see the facilities. Please bring your GCSE grades/predicted grades or any other relevant qualifications.

Throughout the course there will be an emphasis on skills development to enable you to build the necessary foundation to progress within the industry.The following skills sessions will be the foundation for the course and will run throughout the year:

• Voice for the actor
• Singing
• Improvisation
• Physical theatre and dance.

These skills sessions will allow you to focus on developing your technical and interpretive skills across these areas. Lecturer and peer feedback will be instrumental in your progression in these skill sessions. To enable you to apply and contextualise the skills your are developing, you will complete four assessments during the first year of the programme. The assessments are aimed at providing you with a range of genres to maximise performance and learning opportunities.You will take part in performance workshops and large scale performances where they will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and will work alongside industry experts.

You will study a Performing Arts Skills Development module, which will include the following units:

• Exploring Performance Styles
• Creating Performance Material
• Performing for an Audience.

You will also study The Performing Arts Industry module, which will include the following unit:

• Planning a Career in the Industry.

After the first year, you may transition to the Extended Diploma to study a Personal Performing Arts Profile module, which will include the following units:

• Using Development Plans to Refine Skills
• Producing a Personal Project
• Using Material for Self-promotion and Networking

You will also study a Collaborative Performing Arts Project module, which will include the following units:

• Undertaking a Defined Creative or Administrative Role
• Using Creative Collaboration to Develop a Project
• Producing a Collaborative Project.

Assessment is carried out on a continuous basis and the course is delivered through a series of practical projects and assignments, including public performances. The assignments will be both practical and theoretical throughout the year and you will be expected to set targets and make a record of this. Your work will be assessed internally and externally. You will record your work in your logbook which will help you organise your work and plan for rehearsals, assessments and performance work. In order to ensure that you make the best possible progress on your course, you will have regular feedback from your tutor, in a constructive and supportive environment.

We are very proud of the strong industry links we hold with the West End, North East based casting agents and many external practitioners. Many of these links provide regular workshops. These sessions will provide you with an insight into the workings of the industry and what can be expected of you in the future.

Undertaking a work placement is a vital part of the course as it allows you to gain an insight into the industry you are studying to work in. A work placement is therefore mandatory and should be the equivalent of 70 hours (two weeks) – it can be taken at any point in the year. It is strongly suggested that it be taken at the beginning of the year and in holidays to ensure you don’t fall behind in your academic studies. One of our main placements is at Beamish Museum, this is highly sought after which means that places go very quickly; so in order to avoid disappointment it is best contact them at the beginning of the year. Placements are to be found on your own accord – tutors hold no responsibility for this but will happily guide you and give as much support as possible.

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This 1 year programme provides a transition to the Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice at NCD.

Upon completion of the two year programme, you could progress to study a relevant subject at university or drama school, or progress into employment or self-employment.