What Makes This Course So Special?
Performance matters: it changes the way you think, see and react to the world around you. Our students not only study how to act, direct and make theatre and film but also understand the importance and impact of these art forms in a digital age. We teach our students that making theatre and film is a vocation that has meaning and value. Our Performing Arts degree course offers you that chance to create new and exciting fictional worlds through a stimulating, practical and theoretical study of drama, theatre, film, radio and television. Our course is aimed at creative, responsive and independent thinking students who are committed to making performance work that reflects and comments upon the social and cultural world that surrounds them.
The location of this performance course within one of the oldest Film Schools in the UK gives unparalleled opportunities for students to hone their skills both in their assessed work and by taking advantage of the many additional projects on offer. You can collaborate with fellow students in the areas of Film, Music, Animation, Photography and Fashion. Many students build up an extensive showreel for future employers consisting of their many film projects. As a teaching team we are committed to providing a creative, supportive and rewarding educational experience for all with an emphasis on one-to-one tutorials, helpful feedback, group project work and public performances. The opportunities afforded by our move to the City Campus in 2011 has allowed further expansion of the range of high quality work produced by students.
This course is part of the Skillset Media Academy Wales, a partnership of the leading film and media schools in Wales, offering an exceptionally high standard of education that is endorsed by industry and approved by Skillset. Performing Arts students benefit from close contact with the Academy’s Industry Panel, access to professional masterclasses and workshops, jobs and work placements, and the opportunity to promote work through an exclusive online network.
Find out more about the subject of Performing Arts at Newport.
Course Intro
Our performing arts course offers an intensive study of performance skills specialising in theatre, film and radio. Situated in the prestigious Newport Film School we offer unrivalled opportunities for screen training in our (new) custom built studios at the City Campus. Whether it is acting in a film, directing a theatre play or devising a multimedia performance, our core skills and practices are designed to equip you for a successful career in the creative industries.
The experience of our leading staff covers a wide range of performance disciplines and includes acting for film, theatre and radio; directing theatre; dance theatre and devised performance. You have the opportunity to work with staff on research projects, including theatre productions and films and we showcase the best student work in public performances locally and at festivals such as the International Student Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Our students have also acted in and provided voiceovers for award-winning drama, documentary and animation films.
What you study
Your first year offers core skills in acting for film and theatre along with contemporary movement and voice practice. Training and teaching is led by professional actors, choreographers and academics, who will not only foster your practical skills but also develop your ability to consider the nature of acting, drama and theatre in the context of society. You will also explore the development of post-war American theatre and television. You will create as a company both theatre performances and short films. Students are taught the histories of theatre and cinema and will begin to develop an understanding of how to interpret plays and films.
Your second year offers you choices in undertaking further specialist training in screen and radio acting, physical and devised theatre and multimedia performance. You will also study the major artistic and dramatic movements of twentieth century theatre and film, including specialisms in British and European Drama which will prepare you for an extended piece of critical writing in year three.
You will choose as a major option in semester 1 of your third year either acting, directing or devised performance, culminating in a public presentation of your work. You will also write a critical paper on a topic of your choice, where the focus will be on an aspect of theorising performance. Finally in semester 2, with your peer group, you will create and produce a graduate showcase which will be performed in a professional industry context. Throughout your third year you will be encouraged by tutors to create diverse, challenging and innovative performance practices in response to specialist interests that you have developed during the degree course.
A programme specification is available for this course.
Where Next?
Our graduates have a good record of finding work in the creative industries as actors, directors and freelance theatre-makers. Other areas of employment include arts administration and events management. The course is also excellent preparation for further study and teacher training, including MA and PhD studies.
This course is part of the Skillset Media Academy Wales, a partnership of the leading film and media schools in Wales, offering an exceptionally high standard of education that is endorsed by industry and approved by Skillset. Our students benefit from close contact with the Academy’s Industry Panel, access to professional masterclasses and workshops, jobs and work placements, and the opportunity to promote work through an exclusive online network.
• Title subject to validation
Assessment
Throughout the course you will be assessed on practice-based modules, supplemented by self-reflective and context-based analysis. You will receive clear and detailed feedback that will help you reflect on, and develop your strengths.
Interview Required
All applicants are interviewed as part of an audition process. At the interview/audition you will take part in a group workshop and we will ask you to take direction in the audition speech you will have prepared. In the interview your reasons for wanting to join the course will be explored.
Student Sound bite
“My experience here has been a brilliant stepping stone into industry. The knowledge I have gained is new and exciting and I have been taught everything I need to know.”