FdA Performance Practice

You will hold:

• A relevant Level 3 qualification in a Performing Arts-related subject (with a minimum of 32 UCAS points).
• Level 2 English (or a minimum of 5.5 IELTS in each band for international students).

If you do not hold the relevant qualifications, you could gain access to the course by demonstrating good knowledge, experience and skill during your audition.

You must submit a personal statement of 500 words; detailing your abilities, attributes, aspirations and suitability for the programme.

You will be required to provide your own stationery and appropriate dance shoes and attire. Specific requirements for attire are detailed below. Additionally, there will be several opportunities throughout the course to participate in theatre trips, masterclasses, and field trips to international cities. The costs for these activities are as follows:

Theatre Trips:

Example: A trip to London or the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Approximate Cost: £500 for London, £40 for Edinburgh Fringe.

Masterclasses and Field Trips:

Costs will vary depending on the specific opportunity and destination.

Attire Information:

Female: Leotard £13.50: Alegra Basic Camisole Leotard | Move Dance (movedancewear.com) Shoes £11.95: Move Dance Split Sole Black Canvas Ballet Shoe | Move Dance (movedancewear.com) Tights £7.95: Move Dance White Convertible Ballet Tights | Move Dance (movedancewear.com) Total: £33.40

Optional Wrap skirt £12.50: Move Dance Chloe Wrap Dance Skirt | Move Dance (movedancewear.com)

Male: White t-shirt £16.50: Move Dance Mens Seamless Filipo T Shirt | Move Dance (movedancewear.com) Black shorts from £10.00: fitted cycling or loose fit shorts Shoes £11.95: Move Dance Split Sole Black Canvas Ballet Shoe | Move Dance (movedancewear.com) Total: £38.45

Optional/Alternative Dance belt £20.50: Capezio Mens Comfort Dance Belt | Move Dance (movedancewear.com) Black socks £3.75: Freed Ballet Socks | Move Dance (movedancewear.com) White vest £14.95: Move Dance Mens Seamless Alvaro Vest Top | Move Dance (movedancewear.com)

You participate in a group workshop audition where skills will be assessed through participation in the following: dance warm-up/technique class, acting class, singing warmup, and audition performance (where the students will perform one piece of prepared material). To meet industry standards and assess your ability to work independently and prepare suitable audition material, all candidates are required to perform one of the following:

• A contemporary monologue (post-1970) lasting 1-3 minutes (please bring a paper copy of their monologue to the audition)
• A song (post-1970) of your choice lasting 1-3 minutes (please bring a backing track for the song, if this is not possible you can request backing tracks before the audition)
• A 1-3-minute dance solo/movement piece in a style of your choice (please prepare/provide music for this aspect of the audition)

A 10-minute interview will follow the audition.

You will also need to submit a word-processed personal statement (500 words). This will assess your academic writing, literacy skills and highlight your attributes and aspirations, enabling staff to assess suitability for study on the programme.

This FdA Performance Practice programme aims to help you to:

• Develop the diverse, inter-related skills and knowledge required to become a well-rounded performer.
• Explore, experiment with and develop an awareness of distinctive styles, conventions, practitioners and contexts that have helped shape contemporary practice within and across acting, singing and dancing.
• Engage with the practical, theoretical and creative aspects of the devising, rehearsing and performance process in relation to producing a production.
• Demonstrate your performance skills in a professional context.
• Develop transferable and work-readiness skills to enhance employment opportunities.
• Learn how to take increasing responsibility for your own learning.

Level 4 Modules (Core):

• Training Techniques - emphasises the importance of developing and updating skills to compete in the freelance industry.
• Dramatic Techniques - Develop core dramatic performance skills by exposing you to professional theatre.
• The Dancing Practitioner - introduces and allows you to develop your technique in a range of dance styles.
• The Singing Practitioner - to fine-tune pitch, projection and tonality, and refine both melody singing and harmony singing.
• Performance Project 1 - allows you to explore and develop your performance skills with professional-styled auditions, rehearsals and a show.
• Personal and Professional Development 1 - includes work-based placement and helps to action plan your personal and professional development.]]]Level 5 Modules (Core):[[[Influential Practitioners
• Acting Through Song and Dance
• Theatre in the Community
• Performance Project 2
• Personal and Professional Development 2.

The course will adopt a range of teaching and learning strategies depending on the module of study, however, due to the skill-based nature of the subject area the principal theme of the teaching and learning within this course is experiential learning. This is to enhance motivation and engagement, and most importantly to provide extensive opportunities for the development and refinement of skills via rehearsal and practice. You will engage in:

• Technique Classes: to develop core skills and training techniques.
• Workshops: to develop skills and experiment with applying theory to practice using practical demonstration, case studies, role-plays and exercises.
• Lectures: to introduce the relevant theories/knowledge of the individual topic areas within a subject.
• Academic Tutorials: to develop research and information-gathering skills as they will assist in your learning throughout the programme.]]]Formative assessments allow you and your tutor to monitor your progress and address any gaps in your knowledge or skills. Summative assessments take many forms to meet the demands of each module and to allow you to evidence your skills and knowledge, including:[[[Practical - audition, rehearsal, performance, technique.
• Portfolio or journal
• Blog
• Essay
• Oral examination (viva)
• Presentations.

You will take part in exciting masterclasses and workshop with industry professionals. These will vary each year.

You will be encouraged to undertake a 10 hour voluntary industry placement as part of the Personal and Professional Development 1 module.

You can follow our performing arts department on Instagram @ncdpamusic

You can progress to employment in the industry, working freelance or contracted, or you could choose to study a top-up degree such as a BA (Hons) in Performing Arts or a BA (Hons) in Dance Performance at another Higher education institution.