BA (Hons) in Acting (Creative Performance Practice) – C6089

Take centre stage with our two-year BA (Hons) professional actor training providing intensive conservatoire-style actor training with up to 30 hours a week contact time. This unique course is delivered by our experienced industry professionals at Leicester College within our professional studios and theatres. The course is recognised by Spotlight, the industry recognised site for professional artists to find work. When you leave you will have headshots and reels being industry ready. We are part of the “Spotlight graduate showcase” which pushes your CV and work out to all recognised agents and casting directors.

This exciting course will elevate you acting skills, boost your confidence and set you on a path to work as a professional in industry.

Delivered by a highly experienced faculty of staff, our innovative skills-based modules are designed to train you as an actor but to also explore a wider creative practice to suit the current artistic world. You will draw on your own personal interests such as writing, directing, movement and film making, thus producing a rounded and well-prepared actor and artist for today’s industry. We will encourage you to develop innovative and daring independent projects and provide you with a professional venue to showcase your work.

At the heart of the course is actor training. The programme consists of 16 modules focusing on character, rehearsal, body and voice, creating theatre, and developing skills. Classes include film, TV and stage acting, voice, and movement as the core aspect of the training. Content includes; classical theatre, contemporary theatre, physical theatre, clowning, dance, auditioning, devised and scripted performance leading to a range of performance projects.

After graduating you can join Spotlight, the industry recognised site for professional artists to find work. The degree can also be used to apply for a Masters Degree at university or drama schools.

During the degree you develop skills in: character development – discovering the secrets of breathing life into characters, understanding their motivations and portraying them authentically; voice and speech – mastering the art of vocal projections, articulation and diction; scene study – delve into scripts and learn how to emotionally connect with characters; and on-camera techniques – prepare for auditions and screen acting with training that teaches you about the nuances of performing for the camera.

The course is validated by De Montfort University, where you’ll get full access to the university facilities, including the student union, library, gym, pool and other facilities.

Year 1

In its first year the course delivers an introduction to the skills of acting, developing into a more sophisticated and joined up approach to creative practice. You will develop your own small-scale work and make a range of ensemble pieces, looking at classical and contemporary texts for stage and screen.

During this time you will complete Level 4 and start Level 5 of your degree. Modules include:
– Acting 1 and Acting 2
– Rehearsal Methods and Rehearsal Practice
– Creative Practice 1 and 2
– Dance for the Actor
– Body and Voice
– Physicality in Theatre 1 and 2

The course is complimented by a high volume of visiting artists and companies and a wide range of guest speakers who enrich the course and the learning experience with training in accents, stage combat, theatre practice, funding, casting, Spotlight and Equity.

You will have timetabled meetings with personal tutors to support your learning, discuss progress and reflect on developing independent projects. Attendance and engagement with live theatre performances, installation, master classes, screenings and local exhibitions are an essential part of the learning experience, and will inform the development of your on-going professional practice.

This course will provide:
– High volume of contact hours
– Intensive training across two years rather than 3-years
– Classes in stage, screen, voice, and movement
– Graduate portfolio including Showreel, voice reel and headshots
– Development of your own creative practice and personal interests
– Delivery in a 250 Seat Professional Theatre and campus studios

See performance work and faculty of staff on our digital portfolio: https://leicestercollege.ac.uk/ba-acting-digital-portfolio/

Year 2

Year 2 completes Level 5 and Level 6 of the degree. Professional practice will be a core focus of year two, with modules centred around audition, rehearsal and performance skills for stage and screen. Independent work develops a practical portfolio, which will include a performance, and reflective work centred on aspirations beyond graduation. Graduate entry to Spotlight and, (circumstances allowing,) a London Showcase for graduating students conclude Level 6.

Modules include:
– Auditions
– Dance for the actor 2
– Creative Practice 3
– Directed Performance
– Devised Performance
– Production 2: Devised Performance

Selection is made by audition. The details and requirements of the audition process will be made available to applicants. We are currently requesting that applicants submit their audition pieces in digital formats. You will be invited for interview via video call. Additionally, you must have:

1) 112 UCAS tariff points. (NB – exceptional ability and/or considerable life/work experience could be taken into consideration. We positively welcome older students.)
2) GCSE English at Grade C/4

If English is not your first language you must be able to prove a certain level of English proficiency. We need a level B2 in the CEFR system (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages); a level 7.5 in the TEEP system (Test of English for Educational Purposes); or a level 6.0 in the IELTS (International English Language Test System).

Audition Requirements: For your audition, we need you to prepare two audition pieces –
1. A short devised piece of work of your own making (with a maximum length of five minutes). The piece may contain elements of the spoken word, physical theatre, dance, voice etc. and should demonstrate your creative courage, ability and understanding of the nature of performance.

We do not wish to prescribe any particular content but advise that in order to show the full range of your creativity you carefully consider the material you perform.
We are looking for these qualities:
1) Truth
2) Preparation
3) Evidence of thought, feeling and emotional freedom
4) Ability to communicate thought, feelings and ideas
5) Self-confidence, focus and concentration

During your interview, you will be asked to evaluate your devised piece.

2. A monologue (modern contemporary) lasting up to 3 mins.

The programme teaching and learning strategies aim to:
1) deliver a curriculum that reflects the skills, knowledge and understanding of modern theatre-making practices
2) guide students through a student-centred approach
3) respond to the changing theatre and performance industry and developments in theories and practices for stage, screen, body and voice.

The course will be taught through a combination of rehearsals, experiential workshop and lectures/seminars. Technique and skills based learning will be achieved through intensive studio-based activity with opportunities to engage in practical research, discussion and debate and reflection on creative and critical practice. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with personal tutors to support your learning, discuss progress and reflect on developing independent projects.

Attendance and engagement with live theatre performance, installation, master classes, screenings and local exhibitions are an essential part of the learning experience and will inform the development of your on-going professional practice.

You will experience work in and around practical and performance related contexts (both recorded and live) undertaking roles for performance, stage production and camera including research, rehearsal, production and performance. Progressing through the levels of the programme you will engage with tutor/director led learning moving towards increased autonomy in developing creative and critical self-directed projects at Level 6.

At all levels there will be around 32 contact hours per week, typically consisting of two hours of lectures/seminar, 9.5 hours of rehearsal, 20 hours of experiential workshop and 30 minutes of tutorial.

When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be learning lines, researching character or reflecting on the different modules learning content through blogging or vlogging.

Overall Workload (as an indication) for Levels 4 and 5:
1) Most of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity
2) Teaching, learning and assessment
3) Independent learning

Level 6:
1) Half of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity
2) Teaching, learning and assessment
3) Independent learning
4) You are assessed through performance in groups or alone, portfolios, viva voce, blogs, vlogs and podcasts. There is no requirement for essay or journal based assessment.

A diverse range of assessment methods are used to recognise the wide spectrum of learning and abilities of students. Assessment is weighted around performances and/or portfolios which is an intense learning experience, allowing you to apply skills and strategies acquired on the module and indicating suitability to practice as an acting and creative performance practitioner.

Formative assessment tasks which happen throughout the module are not marked. This will encourage you to focus on the experiential and experimental nature of the work over the need to achieve impressive marks. This may take the form of presentations, observed rehearsal, peer marking or discussion.

As is usual in theatre training, you are given constant formative feedback in practical classes as well as more formal feedback on your written assignments and practical projects in tutorials.

Please note that all public performances and studio performances are recorded, and all summative assessment work is second marked (sometimes through sampling).

Tuition fees

Total Fees: £9250.00

Additional Costs

You will be required to pay for materials to support your learning. Approximate additional costs will include:
Practical kit: £50
Key Texts: £50
Trips, Workshops and/or Performances: £125

Disclaimer

If the course is longer than one year the total fees are for the first year only and further fees may apply in future years. All fees are based on a ‘home’ learner status. Please contact us for information on overseas fees.

For more information, please see our course fee disclaimers page.

Learn more about fees

This accelerated professional programme will deliver the necessary industry related skills to allow you to either enter the industry or progress on to relevant study at Masters Level.
Successful graduates may also apply to Master of Arts (MA) programmes, including the MA Performance Practice at De Montfort University. Our graduates have progressed onto Level 7 courses, securing agents, working in industry, making their own work and teaching.

Applications to this full-time undergraduate course should made through UCAS at ucas.com using the course code W413, institution code D26. If you haven’t started a UCAS application yet, and only want to apply to Leicester College, you can apply directly to us using our direct application form via the college website and we will process a UCAS application on your behalf.

Due to the nature of this programme, you may also be invited to attend an interview and audition. For your audition you will take part in a short practical workshop. We advise you to wear clothing to move in and bring water with you.

Additionally, you need you to prepare and perform an audition piece:
– A contemporary monologue (from a play written post 2000) no longer than 2 minutes in length. Prepared and learnt thoroughly. Close to your own age and in your own accent.

We are looking for these qualities: 
– Truth
– Preparation
– Evidence of thought, feeling and emotional freedom
– Ability to communicate thought, feelings and ideas
– Self-confidence, focus and concentration