BA (Hons) Performing Arts

Course Code:	AAA0135;	Day:	Weekdays
Attendance:	Higher Education	Time:	Daytime
Start date:	16th September 2013	Fee:	Year 1: £5,800.00 Year 2: TBC Year 3: TBC
Duration:	3 years	Campus:	Baltic Campus
Requirements:	An interview is required, an audition is required and a CRB check is required.

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Performing Arts is a three year full-time degree course validated by the University of Northumbria and taught entirely at Gateshead College. The course is largely designed to appeal to local mature students who wish to practically explore and study the many and varied disciplines within performing arts.

The five main strands of the course are: drama and acting, media performance, dance and movement, community theatre and musical theatre. In addition, there are numerous opportunities to follow more sprecialist modules and short courses in areas such as musical theatre, design, mask performance, circus skills and technical production skills. The course culminates in a project and performance showcase enabling your work to be seen by local employers, such as directors, performance companies and community groups. In addition, final year work is often performed at professional venues or as part of Arts Festivals locally, nationally and/or internationally. 

The course consists of the following modules:

Level Four (Year One):

• Voice
• Movement for Actors
• Stanislavsky and Naturalism
• Introduction to Community Drama
• Performance and Production
• Introduction to Performance in the Media
• Critical Theory 1

Level Five (Year Two):

• Brecht and Artaud
• Staging Text
• Critical Theory 2
• Performing Arts Professional Development
• Performance for Sound (option)
• Singing for Perfomers (option)
• Modern Dance (option)
• Devising Community Theatre (option)

Level Six (Year Three):

• Contemporary Theatre Production
• Critical Theory 3
• Choreography (option)
• Musical Theatre Project (option)
• Performance for the Moving Image (option)
• Community Project (option)

The course is assessed on a module by module basis and there are no formal examinations. Assignments often take the form of practical rehearsal and performance projects (full group, small group, in pairs or solo), presentations, seminars, essays, reports and portfolios.

The course is taught by a small team of very approachable full time members of staff, with some part time staff, often industry professionals, employed to teach specialist disciplines. The majority of classes will take the form of practical workshops and rehearsals, becoming increasingly student led as the course progresses. In addition, there will be traditional lectures, seminars and demonstrations and some observation of professional work as part of the course.

The excellent employment record of graduates of the course would suggest great opportunities for professional work in theatre, radio, film and television, and also in the fields of community drama and education.

Applications for this course are through UCAS, reference number W310. 

The place of study

Our fantastic Baltic Campus is equipped with some of the best education facilities in the UK. And with industry standard rehearsal spaces and a custom built 200 capacity performance theatre, all our performance courses are well catered for.

Our facilities are recognised as being among the best in the country. This is one of the reasons that we were chosen as a founder college of the National Skills Academy Creative and Cultural (NSACC), a national network of colleges, companies and venues around the country that aim to improve the skill level within the Creative Industries. We were the only college in the region to be chosen for the network which includes the Royal Albert Hall, The Sage Gateshead and companies behind some of the world's biggest music festivals.

Our status as a founder college means our students get exclusive opportunities such as:
Work experience behind the scenes at Leeds Festival
Workshop days and tours of venues such as the Royal Albert Hall
Performance opportunities at venues such as The Sage Gateshead

Entry requirements

How will I be assessed?

By continual observation of your practical work, projects, assignments, oral and written questions

How will I be taught?

Students will work together on performance projects throughout the year culminating in a large-scale public production performed either in the College Studio Theatre or a local professional or community venue. The course is held in our purpose-built Performing Arts Studios.

Qualifications needed

280 UCAS points and GCSEs grade A*-C in English Language and maths.

3 A-levels or a BTEC Extended Diploma (DMM or above) or their equivalent, such as an HEFC.

Mature students may be offered a place without these qualifications, depending on a successful interview/audition.