This course is designed to expose young actors and performers to the key elements of performance from both a performative and technical viewpoint as individual performers and also as part of an ensemble. Year one is very much focused on structure and gaining/building skills and techniques in solo performance, group performance and performing for an audience as well as working with structured, scripted pieces and devising original performance material. The learners participate in a wide range of lecture and guest practitioner-led practical workshops, as well as academic lectures and student-led workshops.
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During the last lockdown at the start of 2021 the students continued to work on their assignments as usual, whilst there were obvious barriers, given that we are a creative and practical department, we utilised every avenue of communication open to us whilst maintaining the highest level of safety and safeguarding for the benefit of our students. The students took it upon themselves to work with each other via private social media profiles in order to share ideas and keep in touch with one another.
 
The main thing that underpins everything we do in the Performing Arts department is professionalism. From day one the students are treated like professionals and this is expected in return in their behaviour, attitude, time management, approach to each other and their lecturers and their personal development.
Next year requires the students to take full ownership of each and every detail of the project, devising, writing, directing, choreography, producing, lighting and sound design, costume, hair, make-up, marketing, budgeting etc. The aim here is to allow the students to have full autonomy over their work and potentially find hidden talents and interests in other areas of the performing arts industry.