Accredited full time gap - year and vocational prep performing arts training for musical theatre performers who have completed year 13. RSL Level 3 Diploma in Performing and Creative Arts (Musical Theatre Pathway, with Screen Acting)
The course specialises in Musical Theatre, but the course is blended and also offers Acting, Singing, Screen Acting, Dance and technical aspects.
Taught by industry professionals including Sam Spencer Lane - West End choreographer and former head of musical theatre at Mountview. We will prepare you for the next level of your training!
Units will include (and have many other options): Musical Theatre techniques; vocal techniques; singing techniques; conditioning; ballet (beginners and company class). The work is vocational and practical - but you will also have to undertake written coursework and homework as part of the evidence needed for the course. As far as possible this takes place during the college day, and supervised study periods are timetabled to help get this done.
In addition to the qualifications there are dance and show-choirs you can audition to join as part of the college week. These companies perform for the public and attend competitions and events. Outside college time - you can join our Acting company Medusa Pro, Musical Theatre Company, Cheer squads and senior Hip Hop. All free for college students.
This course is accredited (you will get a L3 qualification if you complete it), and it is for students who want to prepare for vocational drama/musical theatre university courses, or have a university place already but would like a years intensive vocational training first.
The course is taught at second year Level 3/professional prep. It is designed for young people with experience of performing who would like to re-apply to vocational higher education, but do not feel prepared or ready currently, or who have maybe chosen a different pathway at uni and would like one last full year doing what they love.
Our graduates have gone on to Russell Group universities, Mountview, GSA, Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, UAL, PPA, and more (including scholarships!).
Performance Preparation Academy is a warm and lively community of performers, industry practitioners and facilitators.
We champion a safe and supportive working environment, promoting a strong ensemble ethic shared by our staff and students.
Our students enjoy long lasting personal and professional relationships formed whilst closely exploring a wide range of learning experiences, rehearsal-based projects and public performances.
We are dedicated to individual development, and a team of passionate teachers deliver a rigorous and innovative training programme, designed to prepare graduates for the Musical Theatre industry as a triple threat performer.
Reflection on professional practice is an empowering aspect of the student experience, and in the third year there is the option of a reflective journal or a practical research project.
In addition, there is the possibility of access to the PPA Agency, which has enviable industry links and may promote graduates into the world of Musical Theatre with access to agents, casting directors and potential employers. Where possible, we encourage students to develop industry links via public performances, auditions, work-based learning opportunities, and the Showcase in London’s West End.
This full time course is designed for 16-18 year olds who aspire to make musical theatre their professional career; be it working in the West End, performing for companies, cruises, cabaret shows, the list goes on. There are many options for a professional career in musical theatre and this two-year course will predominantly focus on singing and acting skills for Musical theatre (both ensemble and one to one lessons) but will also provide the high quality dance training needed to set solid foundations in commercial dance, street dance, jazz, ballet, contemporary, tap, Latin, choreography, and much more.
Working in partnership with Stamford College we place teaching and learning at the heart of what we do, all of our staff are still working in the industry to ensure our students get current training that is relevant and effective. Our staff work in many areas in the industry including choreographing for X Factor, West End and The Royal Ballet and have performed in all areas of the industry, including West End musicals such as 42nd Street, Wicked, Chicago, Sweet Charity, along with many commercial artists like Anne-Marie, Zara Larsson, Rita Ora, and Camila Cabello.
During each year of training our dancers can audition to take part in main stage and showcase performances at Move It London (UK biggest dance convention attracting an audience of 70,000), CYD? Super Convention, Mass Movement and perform in a variety of UK venues as part of our Winter Tour. All students will also take part in termly shows. Alongside these performances throughout the course, students will study four mandatory modules as follows:
- Performing arts skills development
- The performing arts industry
- Personal performing arts profile
- Collaborative performing arts project
Once the BTEC Extended Diploma qualification is completed the students then have the opportunity to audition for a Higher Education course; enabling the performers to complete their training fully qualified and ready for the industry.
Our BTEC in Dance is run in partnership with Stamford College therefore course fees are fully funded and the awarding body for the qualification is Pearson.
This full time course is designed for 16-18 year olds who aspire to make dance their professional career; be it working in the West End, dancing for companies, cruises, cabaret shows, or even dancing alongside their favourite pop artist. There are many options for a professional career in dance and this two-year course will provide the high quality dance training needed to set solid foundations in commercial dance, street dance, jazz, musical theatre, ballet, contemporary, tap, Latin, singing, acting, choreography, community dance, fitness and much more.
Working in partnership with Stamford College we place teaching and learning at the heart of what we do, all of our staff are still working in the industry to ensure our students get current training that is relevant and effective. Our staff work in many areas in the industry including choreographing for X Factor, West End and The Royal Ballet and have performed in all areas of the industry, including West End musicals such as 42nd Street, Wicked, Chicago, Sweet Charity, along with many commercial artists like Anne-Marie, Zara Larsson, Rita Ora, and Camila Cabello.
During each year of training our dancers can audition to take part in main stage and showcase performances at Move It London (UK biggest dance convention attracting an audience of 70,000), CYD? Super Convention, Mass Movement and perform in a variety of UK venues as part of our Winter Tour. All students will also take part in termly shows. Alongside these performances throughout the course, students will study four mandatory modules as follows:
- Performing arts skills development
- The performing arts industry
- Personal performing arts profile
- Collaborative performing arts project
- Once the BTEC Extended Diploma qualification is completed the students then have the opportunity to audition for a Higher Education course; enabling the dancers to complete their training fully qualified and ready for the industry.
Our BTEC in Dance is run in partnership with Stamford College therefore course fees are fully funded and the awarding body for the qualification is Pearson.
Excel backstage with this creative course. You will also gain technical skills in lighting and sound, understanding how the different disciplines of theatre production work in tandem to create a captivating audience experience. You’ll also acquire knowledge of production skills such as technical theatre, set and props, and stage management.
- Prepare for a performing arts production as part of a technical team.
- Develop production skills in technical theatre.
- Get to grips with stage management and how to run a successful production.
- Focus on your professional development by creating a portfolio of work.
PPA is an inclusive and lively community of performers, industry practitioners and facilitators.
We champion a safe and supportive working environment, promoting a strong ensemble ethic whilst allowing individuality and identity.
Our students enjoy long lasting personal and professional relationships formed while closely exploring a wide range of learning experiences, rehearsal-based projects and public performances.
We are dedicated to individual development and our team of industry-experienced tutors deliver a rigorous and innovative training programme designed to prepare graduates for today’s industry with a dual focus on both Stage and Screen.
Reflection on professional practice is an empowering aspect of the student experience and in the third year there is the opportunity to write your dissertation on the subject that matters most to you.
In addition, there is the possibility of access to the PPA Agency, which has enviable industry links and may promote graduates into the Acting world with access to agents, casting directors and potential employers. Where possible, we encourage students to develop industry links via public performances, auditions, work-based learning opportunities and the Showcase.
BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen is validated by De Montfort University. To apply for this course you will need to have 96 UCAS points (new tariff) and be over the age of 18 before the 1st September at enrolment.
