Sandwell Academy

BTEC National Diploma Performing Arts: Musical Theatre

WHY BTEC MUSICAL THEATRE? The opportunities for students of Musical Theatre have continued to develop over the last decade, perhaps nowhere more so than in the Midlands. As Birmingham continues to be promoted as the nation’s “Second City” and attracts major Arts organisations to the area, so the West Midlands is becoming recognised as a centre for Culture and the Arts. The job opportunities for students leaving full time education will continue to grow over the coming decade.

The Musical Theatre course offered at Sandwell Academy provides a range of vocational experiences. They will prepare students for their choice of career in both the world of work and Higher Education. Most of our students go onto to study for a degree related to Performing Arts or Teaching. .

SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 4 GCSEs (Grades A* - C) Preferably including English and Mathematics and one in Performing Arts (or BTEC) or a Performing Arts discipline (Dance, Drama or Music). In addition, we ask all applicants to attend either a group or individual audition to assess basic skills and suitability for the course. Experience in performance work in at least one area either at GCSE level, or through outside agencies, such as dancing schools or amateur theatre is desirable. The emphasis of this course is to develop skills in all areas of musical theatre and to develop you as an all-round performer. You will be expected to have a flexible approach to all areas of the Performing Arts, regularly participate in a range of workshops with visiting practitioners, and attend a variety of live Performances.

COURSE DETAILS

Edexcel Syllabus: Level 3 N.B: This is a double award qualification Double Award You will study 12 Units as follows: Core Units Unit 1 Performance Workshop This module is your starting point for assessing your practical skills and building on these in future work. The emphasis is on performance and making material to perform. You will develop team skills and perform existing repertoire as well as devising your own material. Emphasis is on combining dance drama and music skills. Unit 3 The Performing Arts Business In this unit you will find out about the performing arts industry and the employment opportunities available to you. You will look at what skills are needed to plan and finance a show and the legal aspect of putting on a performance. You will relate your business understanding to practical projects you will do over the two years. Unit 7 Performing to an Audience (Double Unit) This is a double unit and will be your last piece of work. It involves you working from an assignment brief to present a performance piece, taking responsibility for its development from the start to the finish of the project. You will have both a rehearsing and performing role in the Annual Academy Production. Unit 14 Musical Theatre Performance This is the foundation module to the whole course and where you will gain your practical skills in singing and have chance to put into practise your acting, directing and choreographic skills that you are acquiring in other modules. You will showcase a lot of the work in this module in small scale performances to an invited audience as well as Academy wide shows. Specialist Units: Non- Compulsory You will study a further 7 units selected from this list:

Voice for Actors Principles of Acting Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers Dance Performance Choreographic Principles Devising Plays Auditions for Actors Directing practices Storytelling

All Modules are assessed internally and then externally verified. They will include the following sorts of work: You will be working in the theatre, Dance and Drama Studios and Music Suite with specialist staff and visiting professional practitioners. Regular visits to a range of local and national Performing Arts Venues will be available. In the Choreography module you will learn how to devise your own dance material. The emphasis will be on working from a contemporary approach, building your confidence to make solo, duet and group dances. You will look at different stimuli for devising dance material.

Contact Improvisation looks at the relationship between dance and drama and is set round the study of professional companies working in this genre. When possible, professional workshops will be arranged.

Within the Acting module students will explore the physical, vocal, expressive and psychological demands placed upon the actor, through devising and interpreting a variety of characters.

The Voice module will look at the voice how it is produced and how to use it within performance comfortably. A variety of vocal and breathing exercises will be taught for students to use throughout the course.

Students will explore a range of contemporary theatre practitioners and at least two contemporary plays. They will perform each play and compare the differing approaches to each text and the style of writing. The Singing module looks at developing the correct use of the voice through a variety of technical activities and performing in several genres. Assessment is continuous and evidence based. Students will put together portfolios for each module demonstrating their work and skill development. Evidence is often through audio and video recordings and teacher observations. You will also be required to keep a weekly journal detailing progress made in taught sessions and in individual rehearsal sessions. Grades awarded will be either at Pass, Merit or Distinction or Distinction* and are equivalent to 2 A Level grades. Please note that all students will be required to sing, dance and act throughout the course.