Dance, Drama and Theatre Arts Performance –
3 Year Diploma Course (16yrs+)

The Dance, Drama and Theatre Arts Performance 3 Year Diploma Course is specifically designed to respond to the demands of today's entertainment industry and produce confident, articulate and multi-skilled performers. The course offers students an intensive professional training. It aims to develop technical, artistic and creative skills to a professional level to prepare students for a successful and diverse career in Theatre Performance.

Ideally, but not necessarily, students should be working at Intermediate dance standard or above at the time of audition. Some prior acting and vocal training or experience is also beneficial but not essential. The course structure combines professional vocational training with contextual studies, with the emphasis on achieving multi-disciplinary excellence throughout. Students undertake an exciting variety of projects, workshops and performances during their courses. Media Arts is considered a vital part of today's training and students benefit greatly from using the College's audio/video/IT facilities.
Progress is carefully monitored and regular tutorials and assessments, together with the annual Showcase, ensure students get continual feedback on their progress and are achieving the necessary standards required for progression to the next year of the course.

Year 1

A busy and exciting year in which students work to gain the technique and performance skills to prepare them for subsequent years. Students focus on a broad-based core curriculum concentrating on achieving strong basic technical skills in dance, acting and singing. Contextual studies in anatomy, health & safety, history of musical theatre, dance, drama and theatre studies provide related academic content. End of term student presentations allow for the development of artistic confidence and peer cooperation. All first year students attend a personal interview with the Principal to consider progress and options for the second year.

Year 2

Timetables are individually adjusted to allow for personal strengths and needs. Students now begin to consolidate the technical competence achieved in the first year and place greater focus on artistry and presentation skills. The curriculum is widened to include specialist subjects such as stage combat. During this year students are encouraged to develop their skills across a wide spectrum of performance techniques, as well as extending their own versatility.

Year 3

Course content prepares the student for professional work by integrating the technical, theoretical and artistic concepts of the course in performance. While maintaining attendance at technical classes, students at this level are expected to acquire and develop depth and style in performance and are given the opportunity to perform in public and professional productions.

Throughout the course students who achieve the necessary skill levels are encouraged to take external examinations in varying theatre disciplines with recognised outside boards. These may include vocational qualifications in classical ballet, tap, modern dance, singing, verse and prose and acting. ISTD teaching qualifications are also available to interested and able students who can also consider studying dance and / or theatre studies at A' level. Students who successfully complete the course graduate with the College Diploma.

Course Content

Courses may include: Acting (classical and modern text, devising, improvisation, LAMDA, physical theatre, PSHE, play reading, performance, scene study) acting for camera, acting workshops, anatomy/nutrition/health & safety, classical ballet (freestyle, syllabi and Pas-de-Deux), dance workshops (contemporary, jazz, street and the latest dance techniques), drama practical, drama theory, fitness, history of musical theatre, jazz (technique & choreography), modern dance, music, musical theatre and production, performance, pilates, presentation and professional skills, singing (choral, ensemble, harmony, microphone technique, recording, repertoire, solo coaching), singing workshops, stage combat, tap, theatre in education production, video production, voice (speech and dialect)

Examinations

RAD Classical Ballet (Vocational)
ISTD Classical Ballet (Vocational)
ISTD Modern Theatre (Vocational)
ISTD Tap (Vocational)
ISTD National (Vocational)
ISTD Classical Greek (Vocational)
LAMDA
London College of Music
AS/A2 Dance / Theatre Studies

Course and Pastoral Support

When you first walk into The College you can sense and feel the family atmosphere. However, our aim is to provide a friendly, professional and supportive environment in which students will flourish. The College is committed to caring for its students on an individual basis. Each student's welfare is closely monitored through the Course Coordinator and the tutorial/ pastoral system.

To assist families throughout the 3 years, all students receive ongoing support from the College.

Additional help and support is available via the Physiotherapist contracted with the College. The College has a flexible response to individual needs and requirements and these will be discussed during induction week.

Accommodation

The College understands the concerns of parents for young students living away from home for the first time, and works with known local families and reputable local estate agents so that students can be accommodated in good quality houses and apartments within walking distance or reasonable bus journey of the College. Parents are welcome to discuss these arrangements at the time of audition.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The College welcomes students from across social and culturally diverse backgrounds. Students are offered places on the basis of their talent and suitability for the industry regardless of race, gender, creed, colour, religion, age, physical impairment or any other factor.

Community Outreach

Students live in the town of Bishop's Stortford, a growing Hertfordshire town, close to Stansted Airport, the M11 with direct rail and road access into London, making trips to the West End very easy.

The College's performances are in great demand and students perform at community and local charity events and other prestigious events. The College endeavours to support those more needy and less able by providing opportunities for students to work with young people with physical disabilities encouraging an awareness of disability and experiencing the joy of sharing talents and performing arts.