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Performing Arts BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate

a student acting on stage
Getting Ahead

Performing Arts BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate at Alton Campus

This course covers the three disciplines of drama, dance and singing and is taught by specialist teachers in each field who are passionate and enthusiastic about performing. In addition to performing in a variety of shows, you will study a variety of practitioners and be able to critically analyse their work.

We have put together the following ‘Getting Ahead’ work to help you prep for your course over the summer. It involves watching guided excerpts of the work of Matthew Bourne, Christopher Bruce and Frantic Assembly, and you will be able to write about how their work communicates a particular theme.

We can’t wait for you to start College with us in September!

Did you know? The Frantic Method has helped Frantic Assembly become leaders in movement direction within theatre.

Follow us on Instagram @ac_performing_arts

students mid performance

Research into the contextual factors that influenced these practitioners – Lovesong Resource Pack.

This play shows a couple at the start and end of their relationship. The couple are the same people but older and younger versions of themselves and their stories are played out concurrently, disregarding the concept of linear time. Maggie is terminally ill and wants her husband Billy to visit a cave they went to together once, after she has passed away.

  • What is the mood in this moment?
  • How is this created by the movement of the actors?
  • How would you describe the quality of the movement? Fast/slow, soft/hard, direct/indirect etc.
  • How is this supported by the sound and lighting in this scene?
  • How is the theme of time communicated in this moment?
  • How is this shown by the interaction between the actors?
  • How is it supported by the set item of the bed?

This dance work is arguably one of Christopher Bruce’s most seminal pieces of choreography. It has been claimed as a celebration of the 1960s and is inspired by famous songs by The Rolling Stones. Please watch as many sections as you can and answer the questions below.

  • Are there any particular movement and dance styles/genres that you recognise from any of the sections?
  • How would you describe the mood in each section? How do you think the movement and relationships between the dancers complement this?
  • How would you describe the costumes?
  • Do any lyrics stand out to you? How are these complemented by the movement?

Matthew Bourne is famous for his reinterpretation of classical ballets, from The Nutcracker to Cinderella and many more! His reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is famous for its replacement of a female corps de ballet to an all-male ensemble and Bourne’s contemporary twist on this classic won critical acclaim!

  • How would you describe the movement quality in this scene?
  • How does the music complement this?
  • How would you describe the costumes?
  • How does the lighting/set complement this?
*This is a representation of your learning space and may not be the exact room you will be using

This is a really good college, and it is definitely somewhere you can achieve your dreams.

Yolanda Stemp, BTEC student

My courses were all especially interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. All of my lecturers were extremely knowledgeable and I have learnt a lot from them.

Lottie Warren, A Level student

“HSDC provided me with the opportunity for autonomous study and the choice of subjects that I wanted to study, which helped me develop relevant knowledge as well as relevant skills for the workplace.”

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