Level 3 Qualifications - Performing Arts - Acting

Please refer to EN's Entry Requirements Guide for specific advice on our Admissions Policy. This guide is supplied at interview to prospective students and is also available to Schools & Careers Advisers.

This is an exciting course for anyone wishing to further develop their understanding of the performing arts. It is particularly suitable for people who enjoy the practical challenges of making performance.

The course will focus on drama and physical theatre but the second year will present opportunities to dance and sing should you wish to in the Variety Performance unit.

End of year shows will allow you to showcase your performing skills. You have to manage your time well, be prepared to rehearse after college (occasionally at weekends and in college holidays) and make evening theatre visits.

Please note that students cannot take Dance & Performing Arts (Acting) as these courses work towards the same qualification.

YEAR ONE

Unit 1: Investigating Practitioners’ Work

You will investigate the work of performing arts practitioners, develop critical analysis skills and contextual understanding of how practitioners communicate themes in their work. The assessment takes the form of an extended piece of writing.

Unit 2: Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance

You will explore technical performance skills with a focus on developing and demonstrating skills and techniques in at least two performance styles within a selected discipline. You will perform an extract from a play as your final practical assessment, and throughout the skills development and rehearsal process, you will track your progress and be taught and encouraged to consistently reflect on your practice.

YEAR TWO

Unit 3: Group Performance Workshop

You will take part in a range of devising workshops where you will have the chance to experiment with a range of creative approaches to developing creative material. You will have the chance to explore and integrate creative, physical and vocal skills and techniques, working collaboratively to create a performance in response to a given stimulus as your final assessed performance. At various points in the process, you will track the development of your creative ideas and performance piece in a digital logbook.

Unit 28: Variety Performance

You will take part in a range of workshops to explore various variety acts and how they have developed over time. You will get the opportunity to have a go at ventriloquism, dance, comedy, mime, magic and circus skills. Your creative task will be to create an exciting, innovative and original variety act to perform in a showcase and apply the skills you have gained in the workshops to this act.

Grade 4 in GCSE English Language is required. Any relevant performance experience that can be demonstrated during the first weeks of the course. A genuine interest in drama and performance is important and a commitment to performance is essential.
Please note that this course cannot be taken with BTEC Level 3 National Certificate / Extended Certificate in Performing Arts (Dance focus).

With this qualification you can apply to many universities (for performance based or other creative courses) and vocational performing arts training schools. The course is suitable for anyone wanting to pursue the arts or dance in Higher Education, or as support for any course or employment requiring good communication and group work skills.