Professional Acting for Stage and Screen

The BA (Hons) top-up degree is designed to respond creatively and flexibly to students with a broad range of academic and practical experience and knowledge, progressing from level 5.

Specialist lecturers, with significant industry experience, contribute to the delivery of the programme, using a variety of teaching methods and approaches including: practical workshops, studio work, rehearsals, traditional lectures, student collaboration and promotion.

The course aims to produce skilled and thoughtful actors/makers/creative agents, capable of contributing, either individually or as collaborators, to the creative industries, as well as employing their skills in a wide variety of presentational and interactive contexts.

This top-up degree is designed to be fluid and responsive, and as such we are able to respond to invitations, opportunities, commissions and projects as they arise. The course is designed to encourage the students to become autonomous theatre makers and broadcast actors, who alongside being able to secure employment in the field of theatre, broadcast and performance, are equally adept at creating their own work to fit the needs of the developing industry. Students become independent practitioners and are able to develop their practice and academic skills across a range of challenging and exciting projects. Students are immersed in applied practice throughout and are keenly aware of their role in developing wider audiences and participation in the city and beyond. This model has been designed to operate as closely as possible within ‘real world’ projects and processes.

The degree is taught by professionals, currently practising in the acting industry. It is delivered through strong industry level practical training, supplemented by formal teaching practices (workshops and lectures); it also provides you with real world acting experience, through participation in professionally directed and designed digital productions. Thus, you will benefit from a rich mix of actor-specific training for a wide range of performing arts modalities.

Modules:
Extended essay
This module provides an opportunity for you to undertake an independently identified research project focusing on an area relating to acting and performance of your own choosing.

Production project – solo performance
This module is aimed at developing advanced skills in the conception, devising, rehearsal and performance of a solo theatre piece. You will identify a starting point, generate physical and vocal scores, and construct and act a performance score.

Production project – ensemble (directed)
This module explores making a piece of ensemble performance for a specified audience (theatre/film). Each student is cast in role(s) and the production is professionally led, rehearsed as appropriate for the genre and employs technical support where required.

Core techniques – specialism
This module aims to develop a spirit of independent inquiry and encourage further exploration of the art and language of acting. At the start of the year, in consultation with the module leader, you will select an area of professional development that you wish to explore, eg workshop leadership, directing, movement directing, performance directing.

Professional practice
This module develops and refines technique in the practices of screen/stage acting and begins to prepare you for professional auditions.

We welcome applications from those who have all of the following:

•  a Foundation Degree or equivalent level 5 qualification awarding 240 HE credits
•  five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, to include English and maths

or alternatively:

• equivalent qualifications
• relevant work experience.

You will be expected to pass an audition before being offered a place.

There are no exams. Assessment methods include:

Essay
A critical written response to a question or title related to an aspect of live or pre-recorded performance.

Essay outline
A short and early assignment.

Evaluation
A self-reflexive, critical piece of writing that provides a theoretical and academic context for a piece of practical work.

Portfolio
A collection of assessments covering the learning outcomes of the module, which usually takes several different forms such as reports, evaluations, presentations, tasks utilising various media formats.

Practical performance assessment
A piece of creative practical work, either undertaken in groups or individually realised, enabling students to engage the actor’s craft through the creative processes involved in live and pre-recorded performance.

Reflective journal
A descriptive account of the work undertaken, usually accompanying a practical project, which includes personal and group reflection. It will involve explanation and interpretation of processes and practices under consideration.

Research project
Detailed individual research or a sustained practical project, which is contextually grounded. All independent projects are negotiated with and supervised by an appropriate tutor.

Seminar
Presentation of experience, knowledge and skills to peer group to evidence understanding and knowledge.

Workshop
The assessed delivery of a practical workshop to peers to evidence skill and understanding.

Upon successful completion you may progress to employment (including self-employment), professional training or further research or study, for example a PGCE or MA.