This course focuses on the practical and theoretical study of drama and theatre performance. The teachers draw on their expertise gained from working professionally in the industry and students are encouraged to develop their creativity and confidence. You will learn how to interpret a role and develop character whilst also gaining an appreciation for how theatre makers work together on and off stage in order to create exciting and dynmaic performances using different genres and practitioner styles. The Performing Arts Academy, set up with the help from The Octagon Theatre, Bolton, and enrichment programmes are designed to support students who wish to pursue a career in the industry.

Students studying three A Levels will be expected to have a minimum of two GCSEs at grade 6 and three GCSEs at grade 5/4, including English Language and Mathematics at grade 5/4 or above. Or eight GCSEs at a minimum of grade 5. 

Students not currently studying Drama should have a proven record in the interest of drama by having participated in extracurricular clubs and enrichment, for example, drama clubs or school productions. To study Drama, you will be required to attend an audition.

Component 1: Devising Theatre (Performance and Coursework)

• Create an original piece of theatre from a stimulus
• Use techniques from practitioners such as The Paper Birds or Antonin Artaud

Component 2: Theatre in Performance (Performance)

• A group performance/design realisation of one key extract from a performance text. 
• A monologue or duologue performance from one key extract from a different performance text.

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice (written exam) 

• Live theatre evaluation 
• Practical exploration and study of Machinal by Sophie Treadwell * - focusing on how this can be realised for performance. (Perspective of performer and a designer) 
• Practical exploration and modern interpretation of Woyzeck by Georg Buchner, influenced by practitioner Bertolt Brecht* (Perspective of Director) 

*Please note plays and practitioners could change

Becoming a well-rounded performer and theatre maker is at the heart of this course. In order to achieve this, you will learn and experience all the elements that contribute to the theatre making process. For example, you will become experts at analysing text and interpreting playwrights’ intentions to inform character. You will become skilled theatre directors and designers of lighting, costume, sound and set, understanding how design communicates ideas and impacts an audience.

You will study a variety of theatre practitioners, and apply different theories and techniques to your own work. You will perform in a number of scripted and self-devised plays and see live performances. This course is a tour de force of everything involved when developing theatre, and prepares you for a future career in the industry whether that be on or off the stage.

Component 1: Devising - a group devised performance supported by a written portfolio documenting the development of the piece (40% of the qualification).

Component 2: Text in Performance - group performance/design of one key extract for a performance text and a monologue or duologue from one key extract from a different performance text (20% of the qualification).

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice - Written exam. Section A: Live Theatre Evaluation, Section B: Page to Stage, Section C: Interpreting a Performance Text (40% of the qualification).

Exam Board: EDEXCEL

Upon entry to a performing arts course you will be accepted into the Performing Arts Academy. The academy is an opportunity for our students to participate in professional workshops with industry professionals at The Octagon Theatre, universities, drama schools and local casting agencies. You will learn about different career opportunities in the performing arts industry and widen your experience and understanding of the professional world of performing arts. You will have the opportunity to perform at various events throughout the year as well as public performances both at our home theatre and larger venues such as The Lowry Theatre in Salford.

Our enrichment programme allows you to develop skills in different styles and we alternate yearly between a large scale musical performance and the National Theatre Connections Festival, allowing students to gain professional experience and perform at local theatres such as The Lowry, Octagon or Home Theatre Manchester.

We keep class sizes small which means our students get the very best in personal tuition alongside the chance to gain more lead roles and be noticed when we have guest professionals visit, including casting agents and university recruiters. Keeping our class sizes small has proven to increase student performance and confidence, giving you greater opportunities to be heard and seen meaning you can reach your full potential. Our teachers have professional experience in the performing arts industry and have developed the Performing Arts Academy. The academy offers students the opportunity to take LAMDA exams, gain work experience and participate in professional workshops at the Octagon Theatre and with other professionals to develop those wider performance skills. We have free workshops and performances all year round delivered by guests from universities such as UCLAN, ARDEN and Bolton university. We also have visitors from the Octagon Theatre including professional scriptwriters and actors. We have excellent facilities including a theatre, rehearsal rooms, recording studios and a dance studio.

The options are endless - all down to transferable skills! Many students progress to university, leading into careers including acting for stage and TV, musical theatre, broadcasting, presenting, directing, stage management, journalism and teaching, law and public relations. 

Additional to your study, we provide you with the opportunity to visit the theatre to watch professional performances and visit Media City to learn about TV and radio performance. 

We are looking for students who are dedicated to success and ready to learn in a fast paced energetic environment. You will be expected to attend extra rehearsals, study sessions and skills workshops in order to reach your full potential.   

Our students also perform in a number of shows and events including national competitions. We also rehearse towards a large scale musical which is performed in a professional theatre.