Our ethos is really important to us; we are here as artists and practitioners, creators, thinkers and learners, here to encourage your development, understanding and appreciation of theatre and drama as powerful tools in the examination of human interaction, and to help you respond in a personal and creative way. We are a department of collaboration, creation and innovation and you will be involved in the lively artistic life of the College as a ClassAction practitioner. Everyone will always be encouraged to find their own unique artistic voice as a practitioner.
The course demands practical, creative and communication skills in equal measures. You will be expected to extend your ability to create drama and theatre, either in a performing or a production role. You will write about drama and develop your powers of analysis to become an informed critic. The course will involve taking part in productions as well as studying plays, playwrights and theatre practitioners.
The teaching is done using a variety of approaches designed to suit different abilities and learning styles. Our staff work closely together and operate a team-teaching approach for practical units to encourage the widest range of creativity.
Known to be extremely competitive, you'll need more than genuine talent to break into a career in the performing arts. Whether you want to be performer, music producer, stage manager, lighting designer, theatrical make-up artist or backstage technician, our courses will develop your confidence and technical know-how. Each pathway is delivered by professionals who will guide you into work, an apprenticeship or higher education - helping you to achieve your career goals within the creative and cultural industries.
Why work in Performing or Production Arts?
The creative industries are growing faster than any other sector in the UK - working in this industry offers many challenges and rewards. You can expect:
To spend time mastering your craft
A higher than average likelihood of being self-employed or freelance
To benefit from great financial rewards when working in the creative industries once you have built your reputation and expertise
Working environments that range from offices and art/design/film/photography studios to theatres, museums and music venue
The chance to travel nationally and internationally depending on the role
All our courses have been designed to meet the needs employers. They provide the opportunity for you to progress into Higher Education and/or training – as well as moving straight into a job if desired.
Successful completion of this course will allow you to progress to the HND in Performing Arts at The Eastern School of Performing Arts or study at prestigious performing arts schools.
Previous students have gone on to study at establishments such as: Arts Ed, Guildford School of Acting, Urdang, Performers College, Bird College, Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama, Italia Conti, Liverpool Theatre School, Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts and Stella Mann.
Progression to year 2 is subject to successful completion of year 1.
This Level 3 course is designed to further develop the practical skills and theoretical understanding of studio production, live sound and the music business, giving you a working knowledge that can be both applied and developed further
The course has a technical and production-based focus, which prepares you for a career in the music industry. You’ll develop your skills in our fantastic purpose-built studios, under the guidance of our expert staff, all of whom have extensive industry experience, from a range of roles within the music industry. This qualification is the equivalent of up to 168 UCAS Points.
Popular Music: Production & Performance provides you the opportunity to learn in industry-standard facilities and be taught by industry practitioners.
The programme embraces a practical approach to learning with a balance of practical workshops and lectures, promoting different learning styles.
On this course you will study a wide range of makeup application skills and techniques, you will also learn how to style and dress hair and wigs.
You will take part in a range of exciting work experience placements which will build on your portfolio and build connections with employers. We also support our students to enter WorldSkills UK competitions each year, where you can showcase your creative skills and technical expertise.
On this course, you will explore an exciting range of styles including tap, ballet, jazz, street and contemporary (including Graham, Cunningham and Limon technique). Dancers will also discover their creative voice through choreography and improvisation workshops.
We have exciting opportunities for dancers to participate in including:
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.
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 dont 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. Youll 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.
This course provides an exciting opportunity to study and perform a wide range of theatrical styles, practitioners and texts, from Ibsen’s ‘Hedda Gabler’ to contemporary plays such as ‘That Face’.
You will work in specialist facilities to understand how playwrights are influenced by contextual factors such as society, economics, culture and politics. Design and staging techniques are also studied to gain the essential theatrical skills required to create your own dramatic work for an audience. Devising within your first year is student-generated and collaboratively directed, with teaching to support you creating a vibrant and original piece of theatre.
You will be practically assessed on group and monologue or duologue scripted work, carefully selected by your teacher. You will experience live theatre and learn the essential skills to analyse and evaluate the techniques employed by professional theatre companies. Ultimately, you will assume the role of director and generate an overall concept for a modern production of a classical text.
The Extended Diploma in Performing Arts allows you to choose a unique pathway which is tailored to your existing skills and those you wish to develop further. This course will appeal to talented and versatile performers who wish to study on a flexible study programme to suit their own individual requirements.
This is a highly practical programme which allows for study over a variety of disciplines.
The course includes:
Acting units will focus on works by different practitioners, including Brecht, Stanislavski, Berkoff, and Shakespeare, as well as the application of techniques such as physical theatre, voice-over acting, devising and interpreting texts, commedia dellÕarte, and character development. You will also train in directing performances, for those who wish to create their own company.
