Programme Description
Performing Arts and Production Arts L3
(Acting / Dance / Production Arts Pathways)
Are you passionate about either Acting, Singing dancing or Production Arts, then this is the course for you! This course will provide and allow you to develop your underpinning knowledge within performance or technical theatre that will promote your skills for auditions and interviews at vocational schools or universities.
You are given opportunities to explore and grow your creativity exploration that allows you to build up a portfolio of experience of various disciplines in performance and industry experiences. This is a highly practical course which immerses you in cutting edge interdisciplinary practice preparing you to enter the 21st century of the performing arts industry.
Programme Features
This course focuses on providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to progress to vocational schools or university and ultimately employment. Our L3 Course will teach you the technical skills to make your work stand out and give you the knowledge and inspiration to explore your own performance ideas. We have a versatile approach with a focus on making performance for a range of situations including physical theatre, dramatic performance, film, site specific, contemporary dance and musical theatre.
We have excellent industry links and enrichment opportunities that allow you to be working with industry professionals such as Frantic Assembly, Gwyn Emberton Dance and the Ffwrnes theatre as well as collaborating with other areas of the creative industries.
We have superb facilities, which include a new fully equipped performance theatre and a spacious dance studio as well as various rehearsal spaces. There are also opportunities to study abroad through an Erasmus programme.
Graduates from courses in the Performing arts and Production arts department have gone on to study Acting and Technical Theatre at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, The London Drama Centre and Birmingham School of Acting, Musical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting, Applied Drama and Community Theatre at LIPA and Birmingham School of Acting and Dance at Middlesex, Roehampton, University of East London and University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
Progression & Employment
Programme Content
The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts / Dance and Production Arts consists of 14 units over two years, which cover for example:
- Principles of performance
- Engaging with an audience
- Preparing for progression
- Developing performance and production skills
This course also includes either the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced (Post-16) or Essential Skills plus a Welsh language unit and Employability Skills.
Recent performances include:
- Lilies on the Land (Y Ffwrenes and Gwili Railway)
- Blue Remembered Hills (Y Ffwrenes)
- Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht
- Under Milk Wood (The National Botanic Garden of Wales)
- Somewhere Not Home (A devised piece of the work of Edward Hopper)
- Here We Just Are (A devised piece based on Dylan Thomas)
- The Trial adapted by Steven Berkoff
- DNA (Part of the National Theatre Connections programme performed in The Egg, Theatre Royal, Bath)
- Long Day (A film produced by students which was premiered at Y Ffwrnes)
- The Grimm Tales and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The National Botanic Garden of Wales)
- Ignite (Performance showcase at Y Ffwrnes)
Level 3 Dance Strand
Dance will give you the opportunity to develop your skill as a dance performer and choreographer in a range of different dance styles such as ballet, jazz, commercial and contemporary. It is an enjoyable form of exercise as well as being an output for creativity and positive energy. You will have the opportunity to explore professional dance works, appreciate dance in an informed manner and create your own choreography with a view to perform. The course is delivered by a highly skilled and enthusiastic team within a relaxed yet challenging learning environment. In addition to being taught by the staff at the college you will have the opportunity to attend classes that are led by professional artists who currently work in the industry and have taught at prestigious dance colleges around the country.
Recent performances/Workshops include:
- Ignite 'Annual Dance Showcase' (Y Ffwrnes)
- UDance 2014 (Sherman Cymru)
- Pick Up the Pace Revisited (Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance)
- Rugby League World Cup 2013 (Millennium Stadium)
- BBC It's My Shout Film Premiere 2013 (Wales Millennium Centre)
Level 3 Production Arts Strand
This two-year Level 3 programme focuses on developing skills in Production Arts (lighting, sound, set construction, scenic painting, model-making and stage management). Learners are encouraged to be independent, inquiring and capable of responding to the demands of production work for theatre. Throughout the programme learners will visit local and national theatres, other performance spaces and UK trade shows. Students are encouraged to take part in industry specific training.
- Working in local venues such as Y Ffwrnes, the Lyric and other locations such as Newton House, National Botanical Garden of Wales and the Dylan Thomas Boathouse
- Develops skills in lighting, sound, set construction, scenic painting, model-making and stage management. The course has a strong link with professional companies including Avolites, Robe, T&M and Stage Electrics
- Students have the opportunity to participate in Intelligent Lighting System workshops held on campus or within a theatre setting
Programme Assessment
Units are assessed internally. You will also create a final major project.
Programme Entry Requirements
All applicants will need to attend a workshop and interview and demonstrate ability level. Suitability for this course will be assessed at interview.An applicant for the Level 3 will need to have a minimum of 5 GCSEs grades A* - C- Both being either Maths or EnglishEnglish and Maths are an integral part of the course.
Students who do not yet have the necessary grades at C or above will have additional teaching and support to study for either GCSE or Essential Skills depending on prior GCSE grades.
Additional Costs
All learners are required to pay an administration fee of £45 prior to enrolment.
You will need to provide your own stationery and may also incur costs if the department arranges educational visits.