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Are you thinking about going to drama school? Want to be an actor? Maybe you have ambitions to work in production or set up your own theatre company one day. If this sounds like you, then don’t miss this opportunity to forge ahead with your ambitions.
This course develops your talent, extending existing skills in order to prepare you for a career in a variety of media, including theatre, screen and creative technologies.
You will take part in skills classes in acting, voice and physical theatre as well as drama workshops, rehearsals and productions. There will be many opportunities to perform a range of scripted plays on stage in a variety of theatre styles. You’ll also develop skills and techniques in acting for the camera by creating short films that will be screened in front of a public audience.
You will be involved in devised and scripted drama ranging from the varied realms of contemporary theatre to classical texts. You will create performance work in a range of styles and contexts and reflect upon your developments and learning in a digital portfolio. You will work collaboratively, creatively and reflectively throughout the course.
In addition you’ll benefit from trips to Shakespeare’s Globe, the West End and regional theatres to see examples of theatre practice and benefit from tours, talks and professional workshops.
HSDC is proud to be working in partnership with the University of Winchester to support our Performing Arts students with masterclasses, audition preparation, collaboration projects and progression opportunities.
Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language.
Audition – You will also be required to pre-prepare and learn a two-minute monologue to perform at the interview.
Experience is not necessary, but enthusiasm to learn and an interest in the Performing Arts is essential.
On this course, you will study:
The Acting course offers a range of teaching approaches including lectures and practice-based workshops focused on the techniques of theatre companies and practitioners. Play texts are interpreted and realised through project-based learning and discovery tasks, rehearsals and directed performance. Assessment evidence includes a reflective and evaluative project log and portfolio of research, oral presentations, creative group work, rehearsing, refining and performing scripted and devised work for stage and screen.
The teaching environment engages students in practical and contextual learning activities supported by digital media technologies. We have access to a number of arts-based e-resources and provide students with online support materials.
To enrich the learning experience, practical work on the course is underpinned with contextual and referential teaching to encourage a knowledge base of theatre styles and practitioners and historical and contemporary influences upon the performing arts.
Our ethos is to create high quality, dynamic performance work in a positive, productive and professional environment where individuals can develop and thrive.
The College boasts a fully functioning theatre space equipped with sound and lighting technologies at professional standard. The Performing Arts department has four rehearsal rooms, a training studio space and two large dance studios. Rooms are equipped with IT facilities to complement teaching sessions.
The course is continually assessed within units of study. Grades range from Pass to Merit to Distinction. Much of the written evidence, which supports your performance work, is in the form of a digital portfolio. Students are expected to update this regularly to document your development and research. Other evidence may include presentations, essays and portfolios.
Purchasing play scripts. Costs towards theatre visits and trips.
Many students following this course continue their studies at university. Other students prefer to study at an accredited Drama School. In recent years our students have gained places at LAMDA, RADA, Mountview and East 15. Many of our past students are now working in the industry.
In 2014 the Level 3 Acting students won the National Theatre Connections scheme and performed at The National Theatre London in The Wardrobe by Sam Holcroft. It was an exceptional achievement which led to external recognition of our College nationally through the scheme and by National Theatre Connections organisers and producer Robb Watt and Associate Director Anthony Banks. The students also had the opportunity to work alongside Young Vic Director Laura Keefe and playwright Sam Holcroft.
We have professional links with the University of Winchester who deliver workshops yearly and speak about the courses they offer at Higher Education. We also have connections with The Globe Theatre, Year 2 visit The Globe yearly for a workshop, tour and performance each year.
Students have opportunities to meet and work with many industry professionals many of which are ex-students, notably Adam Byron (The Play That Goes Wrong – West End), Kevin Brewer (Wipers Times – West End), Lloyd Bagley (Mountview), & Helen Keech (Hubbard Casting). Other alumni include Lorraine Stanley (Actor- Eastenders/ Legend/Sufferagette) Chris Croucher (Producer – Downton Abbey/The Halcyon), Mark Wooton (Actor – Nativity), Aki Omoshaybi (The Riot Club).
Teaching staff have received professional training at drama schools including RADA, LAMDA and Royal Central school of Speech and Drama and Birmingham School of acting and regularly attend staff development workshops to update skills and embrace new developments in the industry.
