Birmingham School of Acting : Community and Applied Dance Theatre - BA (Hons)

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Community and Applied Dance Theatre - BA (Hons)

Summary
  • Campus
  • City Centre , Millennium Point
  • Tariff
  • 240
  • Duration
  • Full-time: 3 years

Key Facts

  • Chance to study at a founder member institution of the Conference of Drama Schools – the only Midlands member.
  • One of only two courses in Community Theatre in the West Midlands.
  • Stimulating, practical training, connecting you with some of the country’s most exciting community-based theatre and dance practitioners in an area of rich cultural and ethnic diversity.
  • Partnership with Birmingham Repertory Theatre - one of the UK’s leading production theatres - encourages engagement with its facilities, productions and extensive learning and participation programmes.
  • Learn from staff that come from the industry, and know exactly how to prepare you for the realities of your chosen profession.
  • Over 88% of respondents to National Student Survey praised the enthusiasm of performing arts staff, the clarity with which they explain their subject, and the way they make it interesting.

Why Choose Us?

  • Close collaboration with a number of theatre companies and venues, such as Playhouse Theatre Company, Big Brum, HEARTH, Women and Theatre and the Mac, puts you in the heat of a working environment as you study.
  • Excellent connections with local theatres and arts organisations, and proximity to Stratford-upon-Avon and the RSC (who offer access to workshops and associate opportunities), means you see theory in context.
  • Highly affordable and accessible alternative to London drama schools and DADA courses while still being only two hours from London.
  • Work in 11 studios, each containing:
    • specialist acoustic panelling;
    • specialist sprung floors;
    • heating system that radiates heat equally around the studio;
    • air replacement system that maintains a constant room temperature.
  • The Patricia Yardley Studio has set a new benchmark for drama training facilities in the UK. It features:
    • acoustics which can be adjusted;
    • fully operational lighting rig;
    • quadraphonic sound system.
    • professional raked seating and/or staging system.
  • Join us at our School of Acting Facebook and Twitter pages.
Course Outline

The BA (Hons) Community and Applied Theatre/Dance Theatre are new and exciting courses offering a stimulating, practical-based training that will prepare you for a career within community theatre/dance theatre, providing the possibility to work as a community artist, workshop facilitator, writer, choreographer, devisor or community arts administrator. It gives you the opportunity to connect with some of the country’s most exciting community-based theatre and dance practitioners as well as being in an area of incredibly rich cultural and ethnic diversity.

These courses are partnered with Birmingham Repertory Theatre, one of the UK’s leading production theatres. This innovative partnership provides opportunities for students to engage with The REP’s facilities, productions and extensive learning and participation programmes.

Course Structure

In year one, students focus on theatre or dance theatre through a series of practical workshops, projects and skills classes and are introduced to key ideas and elements to practical work, which will inform them as performers, makers of work or workshop leaders. In two core modules students explore the notion of community and identity and consider performance in terms of history and culture.

Year two develops students’ practical skills and discovers how they might apply them to different kinds of work and communities. Students study arts administration as well as writing or choreographing for performance. There is also a placement within a community arts organisation or company. Year three sees students practicing their skills by taking various projects to different communities in and around Birmingham.

The course is enhanced by visits from various community companies from around the West Midlands, talking about their work and occasionally giving workshops and by visits out to see work in the area.

Modules

Year 1
Skills workshop
Contextual studies
Community and identity
Theatre/dance theatre workshop
Project
120 Credits - Cert HE
Year 2
Skills workshop
Project 2
Professional practice & administration
Devising and writing/choreography 2
Applied practice and theory
240 Credits - Dip HE
Year 3
Professional practice & administration
Collaboration project
Outreach project
Performance project
Community group project
360 Credits - BA (Hons)

Placements

During Year 1 there are visits by different community theatre and dance theatre companies where they introduce themselves to the students and talk about their work. You will also participate in some workshops or observations of workshops led by companies.

In Year 2 you will have a placement in a professional theatre/dance theatre company or within an arts organisation; there are also classes in arts administration and business.

Year 3 prepares you for work in different communities by giving you the chance to create work, performances and workshops in various communities.

Your Career

Career Prospects

This course offers a stimulating, practice-based training that will prepare students for a career within community theatre, providing the possibility to work as community artists, workshop facilitators, writers, choreographers, devisors, community arts administrators or performers.

Entry Requirements & Applications

Entry Requirements

You should normally have an A-level or equivalent in drama, dance, performance or a related arts subject. We also welcome applicants with practical experience in the performing arts. You will normally need a range of GCSEs plus a minimum of one of the following:

  • 240 UCAS tariff points
  • A-level in Drama or related subject (C), and two AS-levels both at grade (D)
  • Two A-levels, (C) Drama or related subject and (D) in another A-level
  • BTEC National Diploma (Merit) in Performing Arts
  • BTEC National Certificate (MM) in Performing Arts
  • GNVQ Advanced (Merit) in Performing Arts

Admission to this course is via interview. Please see our Guidance for Applicants for more information.

Application Details

UCAS codes

BA (Hons) Community and Applied Theatre: W490
BA (Hons) Community and Applied Dance Theatre: W590

We would prefer you to apply through UCAS, using the codes above. However, if you are applying after 31 March, please use our direct application form. Please download and read the Guidance for Applicants before making your application.

Download Guidance for Applicants

Apply via UCAS for this Course  

Enquiries

If you are a prospective student from the UK and EU may enquire using the Course Enquiry Form or telephone +44 (0)121 331 5595.

Prospective students who are non-EU should enquire via the International Enquiry Form or telephone +44 (0)121 331 6714.

Fees Notes

If you already have an equivalent level qualification, you may be charged a higher fee for your course. For further information visit the fees area of the Student Info section.

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