Performance in Musical Theatre with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

This course is taught at the Performance Preparation Academy (PPA) in Guildford.

This foundation year, designed over three intensive terms, is highly vocational and is constructed to help each student achieve their potential in all three disciplines – Acting, Singing and Dance. Most classes will be technique based to ensure the correct foundations across all disciplines.

The Singing/Acting module equips students with the technical foundations in singing and acting. The module includes a series of practical classes focused on the acquisition, development, and application of musical theatre skills, and includes classes in acting, improvisation, acting through song, ensemble, and voice.

The Dance Module involves a series of practical classes in the core disciplines of ballet, jazz, and tap, providing a technical and artistic overview. Fitness and wellbeing are integrated into the module to help strengthen and improve stamina.

Routes to Performance. This module develops technical skills by putting them into practice within a performance context in our in-house theatre. A range of texts will be explored to showcase the skills and techniques acquired in class.

Contextual Studies. This module provides an overview of key practitioners, performance styles and key texts. Students will develop an ability to reflect on, analyse and critique the work they do in class and rehearsal.

To apply for this course you will need to have 48 UCAS points and be over the age of 18 years old by the start date of the course.

Modules
EPDA0805 Singing/Acting
EPDA0806 Dance
EPDA0807 Routes to Performance
EPDA0808 Contextual Studies

The programme offers a range of learning strategies including:

Workshop based learning, both tutor and self-led. Lectures and large group teaching, Seminars, tutorials, and field trips. A variety of assessment strategies is deployed to underpin the learning process.

These include:
Formative & Continuous Assessment – Students are given verbal feedback on an almost daily basis in classes as a means of developing technique in inherently practical sessions, this is both for the group as a whole, but will frequently encompass individual observation and discussion. At structured points in the year, students will be given this feedback in personal written form, or via a personal or group tutorial to allow for personal development, reflection, and improvement.

Summative Assessment – A structured and college wide format exists for the appropriate and even diarisation of formal and summative assessment, ensuring students work points are fairly spaced throughout the college calendar. Students may be asked to undertake essays/dissertations, practical performances, presentations, journals, portfolios, all of which will give rise to an individual mark irrespective of if they are group or solo tasks.