Musical Theatre BTEC National Extended Diploma

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Summary: 

This course is for school leavers who are interested in working within the Performing Arts and Creative Industries.  It is a practical, work-related course.  You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on a realistic workplace situation, activities and demands.  As well as learning about the employment area you have chosen, you develop the skills you need to start a career.  It is equivalent to three A levels which means when you have finished the course you can choose whether to get a job straight away or go into higher education first.

Course Code: 
A4521
Age range (help you choose): 
Post-16
Minimum Age: 
16
Course Length: 
Two years
Entry Requirements: 

You will normally need to have at least one of the following: 

  • At least four GCSEs at grades A*-C (including English) 
  • BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in a related subject
  • An Intermediate GNVQ in a related subject
  • Appropriate work experience.  

You will also be expected to attend an audition/interview workshop day, where you will be required to participate in practical activities, perform a prepared audition piece and undertake a short interview.  Dates and venue for the audition/ interview workshops will be given to you by the Admissions Team once you have made your application

Assessment: 

Assessment is on-going throughout the course and requires you to complete projects and assignments based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands.  Assessment activites that you may undertake include participating in practical workshops, rehearsals, performances, coursework, research, keeping journals, writing essays, giving presentations, discussing and evaluating work.

Academic Progression: 

If you decide to go to university or college you could take a Degree, Foundation Degree or study at a vocational dance or drama school. You could keep up musical theatre as your subject or specialise in one of the disciplines of dance, music, acting or production.

Career Progression: 

BTEC National Extended Diplomas are valued by employers and higher education institutions (universities and vocational schools).  If you want to get a job straight away you could work in Theatre Entertainment, Performance Support, Arts Administration, Workshop leadership and support.

Full Description: 

This course is designed for those of you who wish to build upon the three disciplines of acting, singing and dance. Your first year will concentrate on the technical skills required for each discipline and your second year will fuse together the skills to create a variety of musical showcases and productions. The units you will study over the two years are-

The five core units:

  • Performance Workshop
  • The Performing Arts Business
  • Historical Context in Performance
  • Rehearsing for Performance (worth two modules)
  • Performing to an Audience

Musical Theatre Diploma compulsory specialist unit:

  • Musical Theatre Performance

Specialist Units:

  • Drama Improvisation
  • Principles of Acting
  • Contemporary Theatre
  • Auditions for Actors
  • Applying Acting Styles
  • Dance Performance
  • Movement in Performance
  • Tap Dance
  • Jazz Dance
  • Developing Movement Skills
  • Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers. 

Generally the classes are practical and workshop based with an integration of theory.

You will spend approximately eighteen hours a week at College and at The Garage with your tutors in taught sessions.  You will be expected to match this time with your own rehearsal, preparation, research and homework each week.  During production periods you will be expected to spend more time at the College in order to undertake and keep to rehearsal schedules.  It is essential as a performing arts student that you see as much theatre as you can, therefore we arrange regular trips to the theatres across the country to see a variety of work produced.  We also arrange a yearly residential trip and, in the past, we have visited London, Italy, Paris and New York.

Please contact the Advice Shop for details of costs and start dates.

Please note that although the information given is believed to be correct at the time of publication, course information, costs where applicable and attendance details may change.

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