Performing Arts Award (Acting)

This subject may be offered at more than one Southern Consortium school site. The teaching of this subject may be at any one of the sites listed below.

The information on this webpage is a guide only. Topics, units and course content may vary from those listed below.

BTEC Performing Arts National Award in Acting @ JRCS

Outline of the course

BTEC National Awards are practical work related courses. You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands.

This acting course will provide an in-depth insight into the world of drama and theatre by studying a variety of units that will allow drama students to experience rich and varied drama training. Delivered over two years, each unit has an average of three assignments per unit and are the basis of all assessment within the course. With an allocation of five classes a week, extra rehearsal time outside of timetabled hours may be required in order to complete assignments.

This course is largely practical and provides good grounding in technique, performance and theatre. The course will be delivered in a variety of learning situations including lecture demonstrations, workshops, one-to-one tuition, group rehearsals and workshops with guest artists.

Skills you will develop include:

The Level 3 BTEC National qualifications in Performing Arts are designed to:

  • develop learners ability in the performing arts through effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the programme
  • provide specialised studies directly relevant to the performing arts profession in which learners are working or intend to seek employment
  • provide practical understanding of the skills required to develop careers within the performing arts and related industries
  • develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life

Assessment

There are 6 units in the course. They are assessed throughout the two years with no final examinations.

Core units

Unit 4

Rehearsing (externally assessed)

Unit 5

Performing to An Audience (project) (externally assessed)

 

These are the likely optional units- depending on group & resources.

Unit A1

Devising

Unit A2

Theatre In Education

Unit A6

Musical theatre performance

Unit A4 or A14

Classical theatre performance OR Radio acting

 

Unit Overviews

The course involves both practical and theoretical aspects over six units – two core units and four specialties. These provide a combined total of 360 guided learning hours (GLH) for the completed qualification. Units on offer at Jo Richardson Community School are:

Unit 4 - Rehearsing

This core unit will be linked with the second core unit (Unit 5: Performing) This unit gives you the opportunity to have a designated role within a performance company and this role is concerned with the making and/or rehearsing of material for performance. Learners must- identify and complete the necessary tasks connected with their role, apply the appropriate skills in the rehearsal process and review their work during the process. This unit takes place within the context of a performance company that simulates the working environment and conditions of a professional performance Company.

Unit 5 Performing (project)

This core unit is the culmination of the work carried out in Unit 4 Rehearsing. Having been in a role throughout the rehearsal process, learners fulfil this role within the context of the performance itself. As part of the performance company they will present their work to an audience. This work is externally assessed. Learners must- interpret performance material within the context of a performance to an audience, demonstrate appropriate performance skills and communicate meaning to an audience through the application of performance skills.

Probable other specialist units:

Devising

This unit is about devising work for performance as part of a group. Learners will respond to a brief. Stimulus and develop ideas into a performance piece. Learners will be encouraged to use performance and creative skills acquired in other specialist units and to apply them to the context of producing group created original work.

Theatre in Education

This unit introduces learners to the use of theatre as an educational tool. Its aim is to explore the educational needs of a particular group and how the learners can gather and select and present material in a theatrical form that is both entertaining and informative. Learners will be in contact with outside agencies in order to identify the need, the group, appropriate evidence and venues.

Musical Theatre Performance

This unit is about developing and applying the necessary skills to take part in a musical theatre performance. Learners will recognise the inter-disciplinary nature of this art form and apply their acting, dancing and musical skills within the context of a musical theatre performance.

Classical Theatre Performance or Radio acting (to be confirmed)

One unit is about acting in a classical theatre performance where learners will develop particular acting skills as they apply to classical texts. OR Radio acting- actors earn a lot of money from radio acting and voice over work. This unit is about acting for radio and developing techniques of adapting their acting skills to performance via the microphone

Careers and further study

BTEC National awards are valued by employers and by Higher Education institutions. If you want to get a job straight away you could work in entertainment, theatre, performance support. Successful completion of the National Award in Acting, in combination with other courses, will enable you to apply for a degree programme in acting or drama. However, qualification obtained from this BTEC Course can also help students who do not wish to go onto Higher Education to gain employment in:

  • Theatres
  • Entertainment Industry
  • Actor Performer – in commercial circumstances and professional companies
  • Arts related workshop leaders
  • Or apprenticeships in many Arts related jobs
  • drama therapy

 

Performing Arts Acting National Award (BTEC) @EB

IS THIS COURSE FOR ME?

This course is suitable progression route for students who have studied Drama, Dance, Music and Art.

Students who did not take one of the above subjects for GCSE, but have been involved in Performing Arts outside of school.

This course has a high practical element and students are expected to rehearse in their own time.

There is an academic element to the course so a good standard of English is required.

It is suitable for those wishing to pursue a career in the Performing Arts industry.

COURSE OUTLINE

You will study various units for Acting over the years with a guided learning time of 1080 hours. There are 5 compulsory units and a choice for the remaining units which your course leader will select for you. Each unit will comprise of practical workshops and performances for which you must produce evidence for in order to pass. Your portfolio of evidence can include observations, video recordings, voice recordings, photographs, testimonials and a written log book. Your teacher will mark you during and at the end of each unit with a pass, merit or distinction grade. You must pass every unit to obtain the award.

SOME OF THE UNIT CHOICE

  • Performing to an Audience
  • Principles of Acting
  • Devising Plays
  • Theatre in Education
  • Theatre for Children
  • Classical Theatre Performance
  • Contemporary Theatre Performance
  • Musical Theatre Performance
  • Variety Performance
  • Performing with Masks
  • Developing Voice for the Actor
  • Acting Auditions
  • Applying Acting Styles
  • Drama Improvisation
  • Radio Acting
  • Film and TV Acting
  • Mime
  • The Practice of Directing Theatre
  • Approaches to Directing Theatre
  • Script Writing
  • Storytelling as a Performance
  • Stand-up Comic Technique
  • Singing Skills
  • Clowning
  • Developing Physical Theatre
  • Applying Physical Theatre
  • Developing Movement Skills
  • Movement in Performance