Course overview

Designed to deliver training in all aspects of the performing arts industry, this course will prepare you for higher education or employment in many areas of the industry. This exciting and fast-paced course reflects the working world of performing arts offering you a great deal of practical performance opportunities including public performance and regular ‘in-house’ work; we also have our own commercial theatre, Spires Theatre, on-site.

Throughout the course you will cover a variety of aspects of the three disciplines including; Ensemble Singing, Solo Performance, Ballet, Contemporary and Street Dance, Musical Theatre Performance, Devised and Scripted Drama, Improvisation and Physical Theatre.

You also have the opportunity to study and work in the technical aspects of theatre including; Theatrical Sounds and Lighting Design and Operation, Stage Management and Set Construction. You’ll also get to study specialist units which may include: Principles of Acting, Dance Performance, Developing Physical Theatre, Applying Physical Theatre, Musical Theatre Performance, Theatre for Children, Variety Theatre, Devising Plays, Singing for Actors and Dancers, Auditions for Actors, Contemporary Theatre Performance, Classical Theatre Performance, Healthy Performer and International Dance.

As well as the practical aspects of the course, you will carry out research into theatrical history, work on character profiling and experiment with creating budget sheets for performing arts productions. The course is a multi-disciplinary course where equal importance is placed upon drama, singing and dance.

Please note that this course is predominantly aimed at 16 to 19 year olds.

Entry requirements

5 GCSE grades (Grade 4 and above) or (A*-C) including English and maths. Ideally, you will also have a GCSE in drama, but this is not essential. We will invite you to attend an audition where you will perform a monologue piece. We will provide you with a monologue or you can choose your own, either way you must be able to perform the piece from memory.

Entry decisions will be discretionary at interview. Students will continually be assessed through probation period to ensure they are on the correct level.

Course Modules

- Developing Contemporary Dance
- Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers
- Musical Theatre
- Historical Context
- Variety Performance

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on an ongoing basis through practical performances and written assignments. Your written work will contain self-evaluations of your own performances.

What can I do next

After completing your Extended Diploma, you will be ready to enrol in a specialist Dance School, Drama School or Music Academy. You may also like to consider higher education or university.

You will also be open to a range of careers including (but not limited to):
- Theatre Director
- Actor
- Stage Manager
- TV, Broadcast and Radio Presenter
- Director
- Producer
- Dancer
- Singer
- Stage Coach
- Entertainments Manager
- Theatre Workshop Facilitator
- Playwriter
- Backstage Theatre Crew