FdA/BA (Hons) Performing Arts

The course aims to expose you to the diverse nature of challenges faced by those who take on the role of performer, of which there are many. The working actor now faces even challenges in terms of gaining employment and making a living. A performer now needs to be completely adaptable, and this is a key focus on the degree – adaptability – providing the individual with enough varied experience of the industry, not just focusing on aspects of performance, but on other roles within the creative industries.

As a student on this degree, you should be prepared to develop skills around entrepreneurship, freelancing and independence; flexible to the different forms of performance. You should be creative with an awareness of culture and firmly based in theory, practice, and later, experience. You'll be studying a specialist programme focused on performance that offers a broad but interconnected selection of units, offering students opportunities to explore old and new performance-based methodologies, musical theatre performance, dramaturgy, analysis of contemporary play texts, voice-over, acting for online gaming and professional development with a clear focus on employability and next steps.

In a mirror image of the ’real world’ you'll find yourselves collaborating and learning with your peers from other disciplines (Radio, Film and Events departments) to complete project work, allowing you to experience many aspects of the creative industries. The self-confidence required to contribute to collaborative, time-bound creative projects are developed through a secure understanding of the current demands of the industry. You'll be supported in the development of your strengths, the improvement of your weaknesses and the creation of new opportunities through exposure to a wide range of teaching methods, theatrical and new media experiences, staff expertise and visiting professionals.

Our work is constantly evolving and runs in parallel with the ever-changing industry landscape. We employ various freelance practitioners, who are working in the industry with a view to them providing you with an up-to-date insight into how the industry is working in the now. The current trends, the obstacles that need to somehow be overcome and the various leaders in their field of creative output.

On FdA Performing Arts, you'll work on singing, acting, dance and voice for industry-focused careers. While there's some focus on skills for theatre performance there'll also be a consideration of how these skills can be used in wider employments contexts, e.g. gigs, voiceovers, cruise ships, teaching, workshop leading and more. In addition, you'll undertake units considering performance contexts and criticism to assure your understanding of the importance of theoretical underpinnings of performance. There'll be work-based learning experiences throughout the course and you'll have the opportunity to work with industry practitioners.

You're expected to continuously engage in critical analysis using the theoretical skills you'll have gained throughout their studies. This could be a consideration of a local theatre company, an essay, or an analysis of a particular theatre genre/historical perspective.

You'll also get the opportunity to form a company and undertake rehearsal and performance in an alternative context, hosted at The Lighthouse, Poole or a similar regional venue. This will equip you with the practical skills required to have a rewarding career in the arts. The emphasis will be on community engagement and realising projects through appropriate means.

You'll build on your critical theoretical understanding as covered in the first unit and use this to complete a funding bid for your own project with a local festival/arts council body.

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the intellectual, imaginative and practical skills needed to embark on a career in the creative industries.
• Demonstrate and articulate your understanding of the relationships between different aspects of performance, trends and histories and a clear sense of where your own professional strengths lie and how you intend to launch your career in the industry.
• Communicate your ideas both in both a verbal and practical way.
• Articulate your understanding of the complex nature of the industry, the forms that this may take and the target audience a specific project is aiming at.
• Collaborate with others effectively in the realisation of a performative and/or participative event within or across disciplines.
• Extend academic learning as an independent, self-reflective, and creative practitioner, fully prepared for professional environments or postgraduate study.

The Level 6 programme is an advanced course that moves beyond the FdA content. You’ll be expected to produce work that’s sophisticated in its form and demonstrates contemporary social, political and cultural awareness.

You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to lead a project and direct other students, culminating in a fully stage-managed and produced 30-minute piece of theatre. You’ll be responsible for selecting and editing a published script and will be guided toward this process through a series of lectures and workshops relating to formative and influential playwrights, directors and dramaturgs. The final showings will take place at The Jellicoe Theatre with an invited audience. You’ll be encouraged to reflect on this process from the outset and throughout.

Your final unit is a culmination of skills covered across your three years of study, and will support you in negotiating your own job role and/or specialism for assessment. Independently, or collaboration with your peers, you’ll work towards creating an original piece of material for The Jellicoe Fringe Festival. You’ll be encouraged to invite industry professionals and community artists to this event to consolidate your professional network.

Alongside this, you’ll be exposed to the sophisticated and complex workings of the creative industries. You’ll learn how to operate and function as a freelance artist, complete a live funding application in relation to your own work and create your own digital promotional platform such as a website. Your final business portfolio will function as a transitional gateway to industry and your future career.

Nearing the end of your studies, you'll be expected to research and engage with the local arts sector and undertake a short work placement. We encourage working with companies such as; Pavilion Dance South West (PDSW), BEAF, Activate Performing Arts, schools, Black Cherry Theatre Co, Arts by the Sea (and more).

Your academic journey concludes with an extended essay, in which you’ll engage critically and theoretically with a topic of your choice, either scholarly or industry focused. This will further your understanding of the arts at BA level.