BA (Hons) Performing Arts

Program Overview

This multidisciplinary performing arts program empowers students to specialize in dance, drama, or musical theatre, or a combination. Through practical and performance-based learning, students develop the skills and confidence to succeed in the industry. The program emphasizes versatility, creativity, and industry readiness, providing students with opportunities to perform in professional venues and collaborate with professionals.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Objectives:

• To develop versatile performing artists.
• To provide students with the opportunity to personalize their studies by focusing on dance, drama, or musical theatre, or a combination of all three.
• To equip students with the necessary skills to be successful in the performing arts industry.
• To help students develop as creative and versatile individuals.
• To prepare students for a successful career in the performing arts world.

Description:

• This program is designed to be multidisciplinary, reflecting the industry's demands.
• Students will experiment with new things and create a personal pathway aligned with their interests and aspirations.
• The curriculum is designed to help students develop the skills necessary to succeed in Higher Education, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and establish themselves as employable practitioners.
• Whether a student wants to dance, act, devise, choreograph, teach, or facilitate, this course will provide them with the skills, techniques, confidence, and experience they need to be industry-ready.
• The program emphasizes practical and performance-based learning through a variety of modules and integrated theory and practice.
• Students will gain experience working in professional theatre venues and through external opportunities to perform in professional productions.
• The program is a member of Spotlight, a professional organization for performers in the United Kingdom.
Outline:

Program Content:

• Dance
• Drama
• Musical Theatre

Program Structure:

• The first year provides a solid foundation with a range of diverse learning experiences.
• As students progress through the course, they can choose from a variety of modules and opportunities to undertake a placement.
• All modules integrate theory and practice through tasks and problem-solving, engaging students in interactive learning.
• The curriculum is a mix of studio-based teaching, supporting lectures, seminars, and independent learning.
• Students will perform at several venues, including The Fire Station and professional theatres.
• However, the curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education in dance, drama, and musical theatre.

Modules:

Year 1 (National Level 4):

• Ensemble Performance (60 credits):
• Students will participate in the production of a pantomime.
• Audition for character, dance, and ensemble roles.
• Create and perform in a variety of show.
• Explore the concept of a triple threat.
• Behind the Scenes (20 credits):
• Explore technical skills to enhance creative practice.
• Participate in workshops on lighting, camera work, and video editing.
• Review autobiography and self-assess to position yourself within the performing arts industry.
• Immerse yourself in an artistic environment where self-management and personal organizational skills are nurtured, with an emphasis on multi-disciplinarity.
• Develop skills employers seek, including teamwork, self-confidence, communication skills, and self-motivation, and apply them to vocational practice.
• Showcase Performance (40 credits):
• Focus on performance through practical exploration of skills including diction, portrayal of character, control, fluency, expression, orientation and design of the body in space, physicality, application of dynamic qualities and relationship to others.
• Develop the ability to respond creatively and effectively to directorial and choreographic methods and approaches, for example, task, score, or script-led activity.

Year 2 (National Level 5):

• Cabaret (20 credits):
• Focus on cabaret performance, examining key ideas, origin, history, form, and content.
• Learn about cabaret's association with social critique and political satire through practical workshops on skit, slam, burlesque, neo-burlesque, music, song, drag, and heels.
• Participate in a multi-disciplined performance and explore cabaret's ambition to challenge social norms through an analytical essay.
• Approaches to Creative Practice (40 credits):
• Explore concepts, processes, and people involved in transferring a play text to the stage, working with professionals at Live Theatre in Newcastle.
• Gain an introduction to relevant practices through examination of selected key exponents, starting in the studio and progressing to working in a site-specific context.
• Learn the process of dance composition as a choreographer, with a focus on the relationship between dance and music.
• Mid

The annual, full-time fee for this course is: £9,250 if you're from the UK/Europe £16,000 if you're an international student (EU nationals will receive a £5,750 scholarship to reduce their fee to £10,250) Tuition fees for part-time students are £6,935 per 120 credits. Please note that part-time courses aren't available to international students who require a student visa to study in the UK.

• The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter.
Learn more in our Help and Advice article.