Performing Arts (Acting/Dance/Musical Theatre) — BA (Hons) Top-Up

This one year, full-time BA (Hons) Top-up course in Performing Arts continues with experiences and skills learned in a Level 5 qualification course in a relevant subject.

Acting pathway: This involves a high level of engagement in rehearsals, workshops, demonstrations and performances; building on skills you will already have experience in such as character development, authentic acting journeys, storytelling and opportunities for creative development through creation, performance and production.

Musical Theatre pathway:This involves a high level of engagement in rehearsals, workshops, demonstrations and performances; building on skills you will already have experience in such as storytelling and character building, singing and acting technique and opportunities for creative development through creation, performance and production.

Dance pathway:This involves a high level of engagement in rehearsals, workshops, demonstrations and performance; building on skills you will already have experience in such as Jazz Dance technique, Commercial and Contemporary, choreographic and devising skills, with opportunities for creative development through creation, performance and production.

Initially, you will begin with a creative project which involves a creation of original or existing work (Module 1), supported by technical Acting classes with practitioner-based influences and research (Module 2). You will create a piece of work based on the idea of ‘Radical’ practice; developing your skills and experience by working with an external creative company (Module 3). In Semester Two, you have the option to hone and refine your skills in Contemporary Musical Theatre, Physical Theatre, Digital Dance or Live Art to ensure you have a wide range of experiences and opportunities to develop as a creative artist throughout the course (Module 4). The final module of the BA Hons can either build on the work produced/created in Module 1, or you can create something totally different. The aim of this module is to help you explore, experiment and develop your own stamp and style as an artist and allow you to produce your own piece of work at the end of the year. You are not limited to using a theatre space for these modules.

The BA (Hons) Top-up course involves a high level of research and academic thought; you will produce two critical evaluations (written or presented) during the year, as well as a portfolio of work to support your practical discoveries. A focus on practice as research will be introduced and built upon to ensure you take ownership of your artistic practice.

This year will also provide you with transferable skills which can cross over into a variety of skillsets and disciplines; Education, Production Management, Producing, Directing, as well as other creative industries such as PR, Journalism and Hospitality.

Our staff members are experienced and qualified teachers, with specialised knowledge to ensure you are prepared for the industry and present yourself as an employable, ready-to-work-hard, resilient and engaged creative. With a focus on collaboration across disciplines, tutors and styles, you’ll gain a great level of versatility, relevant to today’s Performing Arts industry.

In a normal, non-COVID19 world, we would require all students across Performing Arts to engage with responsibilities such as Front of House, Ushering, Box Office and Backstage Assistance. In a COVID19 world, we have pressed the pause button on our theatre for now, whilst everyone gets used to the new requirements and measures being taken. This means we can really hone and refine your technique, knowledge and skills and build up to a fantastic Summer season!

The programme handbook for this course is available to applicants online:

BA (Hons) Top-up Performing Arts Programme Handbook (21-22)

This programme is validated by The Open University. To access the OU Regulations and OU Students' Guide please follow the links below:

OU Regulations

OU Students' Guide

Qualifications

Why study with us?

We have an experienced faculty - all holding their own weight as educators, researchers and creative practitioners. We are proud of our high success rates, interesting methods of delivery and assessment and engaging workshop-style sessions. Our faculty have strong links to the creative industry and connect our students and courses with those links, providing opportunities for performance, development and learning as much as we can.

The delivery and assessment methods are contemporary, industry related and provide work-based scenarios close to that which you may experience in the industry. These fundamentals of industry knowledge and level of preparation provide an excellent foundation to your future as a creative practitioner.

Our engaging and facilitative sessions create autonomous, thinking performers and creatives; we encourage you to think about how you can enjoy the learning experience. What sparks your interest? What aspect of performing makes you most passionate? What aspect of the industry makes you intrigued? By asking you these questions, we can help you answer and present them in the research, work and academic writing that you are assessed on. This approach also allows you to build on your potential to succeed both in the industry and in education.

We have a variety of spaces in The Arts Centre; a theatre, rehearsal studios, music studios, HD television studio and new this year, a Video Motion Capture suite, all of which you have the opportunity to utilise. Regarding COVID19, we will be providing some engaging sessions online as well as face-to-face, ensuring that you can also build digital, online and camera skills on top of the training we provide.

Student Benefits

Academy Bakery

The Academy Bakery is located on the Duke Street campus, producing a range of first class baked goods daily. These include artisan breads, patisserie and biscuits, as well as special occasion/novelty cakes by award-winning master-bakers. Students are offered a range of discounts throughout the year.

The Academy Bakery

Academy Hair and Beauty Salons

Duke Street is also home to The Academy Hair and Beauty salons. They offer generous student discounts on a wide range of hair and beauty treatments, at a fraction of high-street prices. These include styling, cutting, perming, highlights, facials, manicures, electrolysis and traditional and homeopathic massage.

The Academy Salons

Academy Restaurant

Duke Street campus is also home to the College’s Academy Restaurant. Often referred to by it’s customers as Liverpool’s hidden gem, the restaurant serves top class cuisine, at highly competitive prices. Food is expertly prepared by professional chef/tutors and young chefs in training and offers students a range of discounts at different times of the year.

The Academy Restaurant

Microsoft Office 365 - Free

When you become a student of the College you’ll receive full access to Microsoft Office 365. This allows you to install the software on your own computer and other devices at home, completely free of charge.

Onsite Sports Facilities/Fitness Suite

The college has excellent sports and fitness facilities at its Roscoe Street campus. Students pay a one-off membership fee for all year round usage of weekly supervised gym sessions, as well as access to a number of sporting clubs and events.