Join us to discover videos, tours and live webinars with your future tutors. Don't miss out!
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 (20-21)
This programme is validated by The Open University. To access the OU Regulations and OU Students' Guide please follow the links below:
