Acting

Course length: Three years full-time only

Course structure

Daily technical classes develop your voice, movement and comedy skills to professional pitch. These support your development as an actor, supported by a practical exploration of the many processes and practitioners that inform contemporary approaches to acting. Underpinning all of this is an exploration of the history of the theatre, film, television and radio to develop your knowledge and academic skills.

Modules

The programme is progressive – the three modules of study in year 1, recur in years 2 and 3. In each year, a context module explores the intellectual skills required for the programme, developing in complexity each year. A skills module develops voice, movement and comedy skills in each year, introducing basic techniques in year one and resulting in industry practice in year three. Core modules in each year introduce students to the processes they require as actors and culminate in professionally staged work in year three. In year three only, a professional profile module prepares you for entry to the world of work as a freelance practitioner.

Year 1 is an introduction to acting:

• Skills classes develop professionally focused vocal and physical skills.
• Context classes examine theatre history to place modern performers within an ancient tradition.
• Process Form and Composition classes explore the range of ‘acting tools’ required for a professional career, how drama works and how to create theatre

Year 2 tests your process

Skills and context classes continue, while your core module allows you to choose the kind of actor you want to be, projects include:

• American Drama
• Devising theatre
• Directing
• Comedy
• Physical and Visual Theatre
• Audio Drama
• Shakespeare
• Film Making
• Writing

You can follow a single route (for instance, just plays) or explore the variety of acting.

Year 3 consolidates the skills acquisition of the first two years:

• Context classes focus on a written project and preparation for the business side of the industry
• Skills classes prepare you for entry to the profession
• Your Core module places you in a series of professionally staged films and plays
• The professional profile module prepares you for the world of work

Course assessment

On this course your will be assessed on your performance work, essays, evaluations and other presentations. 80% of assessment is practical 20% is written.