Our Performance and Media degree invites you to explore the growing and diverse field of performance by questioning the relationship between live performance and a range of recorded media. You’ll study all major media forms such as theatre, film, television and radio through academic and practical work. You’ll also examine the production of new ideas in digital, interactive and multi-media performance practices.
Course content is designed to develop your intellectual, practical and technical skills, so you can explore global traditions, concepts and approaches to performance and media. You’ll work alongside visiting companies, professional theatre, film, and television practitioners. There are also many extracurricular activities that will look impressive on your CV, including public productions, student films and a student radio station.
Studying Performance and Media in Cardiff means you’ll have world-class venues and production companies on your doorstep, including the headquarters of BBC Wales, a major centre for production in the UK (Dr Who, Torchwood), the recently developed Pinewood Studios Wales, National Theatre Wales and the Welsh National Opera amongst others. USW's Performance and Media degree is also part of Film & TV School Wales, which provides students with the skills and opportunities needed to work in today’s exciting TV and Film industry.
The foundation course is aimed primarily at school leavers who are interested in preparing themselves for three-year actor training at conservatoire level, either at The Lir or a similar academy.
With an additional focus on broadening students’ reading and understanding of plays and theatre history, it also prepares students for broader drama degrees and related areas of study and work. The course is taught by a committed team of teachers, including many of The Lir’s core acting tutors and teachers from our Master of Fine Art programmes.The personal development of the foundation course students is enhanced by regular individual tutorials with The Foundation Course Director, a dedicated member of staff who supervises all aspects of the programme.
The course also encourages students to develop their own individual creativity with a focus on collaboration, improvisation and lateral thinking.
This course is an NFQ Level 7 Diploma (60 credits)
The Foundation Diploma in Acting and Theatre at The Lir Academy is not part of the CAO point’s race. Students are expected to have achieved the minimum matriculation requirements for Trinity College Dublin courses, however, exceptions may be made based on the demonstration of exceptional natural talent at auditions.
At The Lir Academy we believe that students learn best by doing. This three-year, full-time, intensive honours degree in acting will provide each student with all the training necessary to become a professional actor through a series of skills based courses. Acting technique, voice, movement, and singing form the core subjects taught and practiced whilst classes in Dramaturgy and Text Analysis complement this learning.
In order to emulate best practice the course is taught over nine semesters (three per annum) and over three years. Given the practical nature of the course, and the principal objective of training the actor’s body as an instrument as well as the creative imagination, the intensity of the training for actors means that a student can expect to be in class for approximately 35 hours per week and 36 weeks per annum. Additional commitment during production modules will also be required.
The Bachelor in Acting at The Lir is not part of the CAO/UCAS point’s race. Students are expected to have achieved the minimum matriculation requirements for Trinity College Dublin courses, however, exceptions may be made based on the demonstration of exceptional natural talent at auditions.
The 3 year Professional Dance & Musical Theatre Degree is a rigorous programme of vocational training for aspiring professional performers. This outstanding programme of study trains performers to a professional, audition-ready level through the delivery of a detailed technical training in Dance and Musical Theatre disciplines.
After gaining a strong grounding in all Dance and Musical Theatre skills in year 1, students have the opportunity to focus the final 2 years of their training to develop the specific skills required for their desired employment. Throughout the course the rigour and complexity of training increases so that graduates develop the skills, knowledge and expertise necessary for a long and successful performing career, as well as the security of gaining a full BA (Hons) degree qualification to pave the way for life after a performing career.
- Practical skills developed extensively in a variety of different dance genres
- Singing and Acting techniques developed through group and individual practice
- Extensive performance opportunities to showcase students' learning
- Academic studies to support and develop understanding of contextual and critical studies
- Facilitates understanding of historical and cultural developments in Dance and Musical Theatre
This Acting programme, at Mechanics Performing Arts is for students who wish to study in a lively and challenging environment. As Acting students, you will have the opportunity to explore, develop and test your creativity within a qualification structure which is stimulating, demanding and provides a supportive transition into higher level study or employment in the performing arts industry. There will be a wide range of opportunities for you to perform in our professional theatre, alongside chances to attend professional performances in both regional and national venues. You will be taught by industry experienced tutors alongside visiting professionals working within the industry.
This study programme is for those who wish to pursue a career in dance and study in a vibrant and professional environment. All Mechanics’ Performing Arts courses have been created for any young person who is excited about developing a career in the creative industries.
This specialist qualification will enable you to apply for dance and performing arts degree programmes or audition directly for advanced training in the dance industry to specialist schools. Past students have progressed to a range of universities and colleges including, University Centre Wakefield, LIPA, Northern Contemporary Dance School, SLP, Bird College, Shockout Arts, Middlesex University, MADD.
You will also have the opportunity to go on theatre and dance trips and participate in workshops given by professional theatre companies and visiting practitioners.
Dance performance and choreography is a major part of the course, and you will have many opportunities to perform in the College theatre and at a range of external events and venues. The course will be enhanced by visiting practitioners and local dance companies. We have performed at Move It, Can You Dance, FRESH, Hepworth Gallery, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Production Park.
