BA (Hons) Acting

THE COURSE

This highly practical course provides those aspiring to be successful actors with a thorough preparation for a career in acting. You will learn the key skills required to respond to the diverse demands of the industry and how to become creative, flexible and independent artists. You will work in a variety of genres from classical to contemporary. As well as strengthening performance skills you will learn self-motivation, self-discipline, and develop a critical and imaginative engagement with the social, historical and cultural contexts of performance. Although there is a strong element of academic research, this is often approached through practice, emphasising the vocational nature of this course.

The core areas of voice, movement and singing explore a range of creative, technical and transferable skills designed to support your acting work and prepare you to become an articulate and reflective practitioner, equipped to succeed in this increasingly competitive industry. Throughout your studies there are opportunities to work on projects with students from other courses at the University College, including Film, Costume with Performance Design, Animation Production, and Make-up for Media and Performance. Your progress will be closely monitored through continuous feedback and individual tutorials. We also hold regular group evaluations in which staff and students discuss the progress of a unit.

RESOURCES
Teaching staff on the course are highly qualified, skilled and experienced professionals who also work nationally and internationally as actors, directors, stage managers, designers and technicians. The course has five specialist work spaces: a movement studio, a music/voice studio, a sound recording studio, an acting studio and a fully equipped black box theatre.

YEAR 1
Year 1 introduces you to the fundamental processes, techniques and theories that will enable you to develop a methodological approach to acting relevant to Psychological Realism. Through an experiential and analytical process, you will discover a wide range of creative pathways. Techniques and skills required for working on camera are also included this year. Classes in performance theory, theatre history and dramatic literature provide you with a grounding and context for the practical work on the course. You will also regularly attend movement, voice and singing classes designed to underpin your acting work.

YEAR 2
Year 2 involves an in depth exploration of classical text and performance styles through practice, research and presentations. This is followed by an analysis of contemporary performance. You will consider through performance how form, style and structure can affect content, meaning and audience engagement in a theatrical event. More advanced study of acting for camera and basic requirements for radio and voice-over performance are also undertaken. Contextual studies will also encourage you to identify and consider postgraduate study options and potential performance-related careers beyond your study here.

YEAR 3
Year 3 aims to consolidate the learning of the first two years, offering more demanding and challenging opportunities for performance. In addition to participating in directed productions, you will be required to initiate, develop and perform in a solo or small group piece to be approached and presented at or near professional level. You will also undertake an investigative study where you will continue to develop your research, analysis and writing skills in a way that relates to and informs your professional and contextual interests. Classes covering the business of acting will include advice on photographic portfolios, accountancy, agents and self-promotion – all the skills needed to launch and sustain a career.

INTERVIEWS AND PORTFOLIOS
Interviews and auditions are an opportunity for you to demonstrate to us your self-motivation and commitment to this area of study. Sufficiently qualified applicants will be invited to an audition where they will be asked to demonstrate their acting skills by performing two contrasting monologues. If selected for interview and audition, there is a single fee of £30.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR
We look for gifted people who have had an introduction to and some experience of acting. This practical course is demanding and will appeal to individuals who are dedicated to pursuing performance careers. We expect you to articulate your views in many different forms and to have the ability to carry out academic research and writing.

SKILLS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Although the course covers a wide range of areas for developing your skills within acting and the broader acting profession, it also builds and enhances transferable skills for life after graduation: team working, verbal and written communication, presentation, analysis, critical thinking and creative expression.

Typically students might expect to progress to an acting career or another profession within the industry of live and recorded arts. However, you will also be suitable for employment within other industries such as corporate training or education and will be prepared to pursue postgraduate study. By the end of the course you can expect to have achieved the acting skills, a knowledge of the history and development of the theatre combined with strong research skills and the confidence needed to tackle the challenges that professional life will present to you.

COURSE DETAILS

Mode of Study: Full-time

Course Duration: 3 years

Institution Code: A66

UCAS CODE

W410

COURSE LEADER

Doug Cockle

CONTACT

Admissions

Tel: 01202 363228/363225

Email: admissions@aucb.ac.uk