Sixth Form Options Booklet 2019-21

Musical Theatre
Types of Qualification
BTEC Diploma in Performing Arts, equivalent to 2 A levels.
BTEC Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts, equivalent to 1.5 A levels.
BTEC Extended Certificate in Performing Arts, equivalent to 1 A level.
Entry Requirements
General entry requirements for level 3 study.
Course Content
The diploma is for the specialist, and provides students with a detailed grounding in musical
theatre and the performing arts sector; it constitutes a student’s main study programme, and
would be taken alongside another BTEC or A level. The foundation diploma and extended
certificate contain fewer units. The diploma requires all students to study the following:
Investigating practitioners’ work
Developing skills and techniques for live performance
Group performance
Performing arts in the community
Individual performance commission
Final live performance to an audience
In addition, students study two option units from a range including physical theatre techniques, musical theatre techniques,
street dance technique, developing the voice for performance, movement in performance and singing techniques for
performers.
How your work is assessed
A combination of assessment styles is used, giving students confidence that they can apply their knowledge in a performing arts
setting. Students will carry out research, projects and experiments linked to the theory content of units. They will also be
required to demonstrate their skills in real-life scenarios provided by the exam board; these tasks will be set and marked by
Pearson. Finally, essential knowledge will be assessed under exam conditions, via written papers.
Progression to Further Education, Higher Education (University), Apprenticeship or Employment
Students are able to progress onto university or specialist college where they may study a variety of courses including: musical
theatre, dance, theatre studies, technical theatre, music/dance/drama therapy, theatre/event management. Former students
of the college have successfully gained places at many prestigious institutions including Mountview, Birmingham School of
Acting and The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Career Options:
Actor - opportunities are increasing in theatre-in-education, community arts, corporate training and voiceovers.
Arts administrator, community arts worker, or drama therapist.
Television production assistant, theatre manager, theatre stage manager, technical/production careers.
For performing related careers, typical employers include: arts organisations; local government; education; leisure; industry
and the National Health Service.
The exceptional people skills you will gain from your performing arts course will open doors in many other career areas e.g. retail,
finance, social work, travel and tourism and marketing or sales.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
All students must take part in the college production in some form, performing, band or backstage. This will be assessed against
units delivered on the course. Lunchtime performances are also offered as an opportunity for students to showcase work and
gain extra assessment opportunities.