At Banbury Studio Theatre, we love seeing creative young people develop their skills within an environment that is immersive, intriguing and inspiring. We give you a practical experience that allows you to see what it is like to be a professional within the performing arts industry, be that as a performer or production specialist.
By working with industry professionals and local employers, we enable you to build hands-on knowledge and working relationships from the beginning of your course. Our company in residence, Cherwell Theatre Company, is involved in course design as well as offering additional work experience and extracurricular opportunities.
Whilst you are training with us, you will work towards your UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts. Upon completion of this course, you can progress into industry, an apprenticeship, or higher education. Many of our students have gone on to achieve places at top Drama Schools and Universities.
Collaborating as a team, students are integrated into our company, to cover all aspects of organising a performance event. We encourage students to experience and explore all areas from the behind-the-scenes roles to performing on stage. Students may also select specific job roles within the company to focus and explore a career pathway.
This course will cover a wide range of experiences to introduce you to a variety of styles and job roles, such as:
- scripted plays
- acting techniques
- Realism and Stanislavski
- devised theatre
- physical theatre and movement
- speech and vocal training
- acting on film and TV
- theatre in education
- classical theatre
- audition showcase
- drama studies
- backstage production
- health and safety
- stage management
- lighting design
- sound design
- set and prop making
- costume, hair and makeup
- creating a final major show
We work in an industry-standard theatre, with new technical equipment, featuring a full lighting rig, sound boards and adjustable seating. You will work here daily, taking part in teacher-led sessions, industry workshops and self-directed study, providing a rich curriculum, covering all aspects of the Performing Arts world. All elements are integrated, meaning you work together to create pieces of theatre that are engaging and original.
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What you'll learn
Performing and Production Arts is a contemporary arts programme where you’ll specialise in both live and recorded performance. The course is designed to grow your knowledge and skills across three disciplines: acting, song and dance. You will be able to select specialisims for certain projects. A variety of performance opportunities will allow you to put your skills and technique into practice.
Performing and Production
Through collaborative and immersive learning, you will elevate your acting and production skills to the next level. While you practice how to use your body and voice in performance, you will also look at elements of design and technology and how to engage your audience.
Moreover, this course will develop your skills in the use of vocal manipulation, movement, mime, dialogue, mask design and technical management.
More than just developing your technical and creative skills, you will also gain a deeper knowledge of the theories and principles of performing arts, increase your understanding of the industry, and develop the confidence and skills you’ll need to succeed in real-world auditions and interviews. You will adhere to professional practice standards, be critical, with contextual awareness to the expectations of the world of performance and production.
So, whether your future lies on stage or screen, behind the scenes or in-front of an audience, or in performing or producing, Performing and Production Arts can set the stage for your journey.
Film and TV Acting
This programme will begin the training you’ll need to be a working screen actor. It will focus on the distinctiveness of acting for film and television, not as a branch of theatre acting but as a unique discipline.
Course content includes acting techniques, the connection of physicality and voice, the history and development of acting for the camera, character development, acting for camera techniques, motion capture, voice-over, commercial acting and industry insight. You’ll also appear in professionally made films as part of the course and leave with a comprehensive showreel.
Technical Theatre Route
Interested in set, sound and costume design? Do you want to bring large scale productions to life?
In this course, you will learn the above skills for concerts and shows by leading a crew as a stage manager.
Please note: Fees will apply if you are 19+ at the beginning of your studies and have previously completed a Level 3 qualification or are 24 and above. All fees are charged on a yearly basis. Please see our Fees Policy for further details or get in touch to discuss your options!
How you'll learn and be assessed
We want you to collaborate in your learning experience, so our industry-experienced tutors will help you to identify your areas of interest and areas for improvement.
You’ll develop practical performance skills using voice and movement to communicate effectively to an audience. You will also learn the importance of teamwork, self-discipline, and you’ll gain confidence in interacting with—and leading—others. These skills can be used not just in the performing arts industry but in many other areas of work.
In the first year of this course, you will study for the Diploma. Once that Diploma is successfully achieved, you will be invited to continue on to complete the full Extended Diploma in the second year of the course
All your coursework is internally assessed at the end of the year (there is no exam). It’ll then be marked by the centre and moderated by UAL Awarding Body.
UAL Awarding Body believes in transformative education. They design and award creative qualifications that empower and inspire educators to help students reach their potential.
UAL Awarding Body is regulated by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA Regulation and currently offers qualifications in Art and Design, Fashion Business and Retail, Creative Media Production and Technology, Music Performance and Production and Performing and Production Arts. They are also the UK’s leading provider of the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. Their qualifications have high retention and achievement rates because they are flexible, responsive and relevant to industry needs, and facilitate student progression.
Progression
At the end of this course, you’ll be equipped with the practical skills to join the professional world of performing arts or to continue with your education and training elsewhere, including university.
Entry requirements
You need to have 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English and maths, with a keen interest and evidence in the subject (audition).
