Performing and Production Arts: Level 3 UAL Diploma – Full Time

Course Overview

The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts is a two-year developmental vocational course for students aged 16+ who wish to pursue a career within the performing arts or related fields.

You can choose to study one of four pathways:

• Acting,
• Dance,
• Musical Theatre,
• Production.

Entry Requirements

Applicants require

• Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, ideally including GCSE English or Level 2 Diploma qualification at Merit grade or above
• A successful audition (see details below)
• A good reference from your school / college

Audition requirements

Applicants will participate in an informal interview and are also required to prepare one of the following:

• A rehearsed scripted monologue from a published play
• A dance in a style of your choice (approx. 1 minute, 30 seconds)
• A song in a style of your choice (approx. a verse and a chorus)
• A design portfolio of production work

For students performing a dance, please provide music.

For students performing a song, please provide a backing track.

What the course covers

The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts is a two-year developmental vocational course for students aged 16+ who wish to pursue a career as a professional actor, dancer, musical theatre performer or work in related fields, including production roles, within the performing arts.

The course offers professional, hands-on training, with approximately 70% practical and 30% theoretical content. We take a holistic, industry-relevant approach, encouraging students to be creative, versatile, and adaptable, while developing a professional work ethic.

Through technical classes, contextual practice, and project work, students will explore various areas within the performing arts, advancing their skills and gaining practical knowledge in rehearsal and performance settings. The goal is to develop the technical abilities, confidence, and performance proficiency needed to create well-rounded performers.

The course is split into four pathways and students can choose to study either Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre or Production, working as part of the theatre company ‘Forge Theatre’. Upon completion, students will leave with a Level 3 qualification, equivalent to three A-Level’s and worth up to 168 UCAS points.

COURSE PATHWAYS

Acting

Actor training focuses on developing versatile actors who can work in a range of styles and media. Classes are studied in both stage and screen acting, exploring technical skills, practitioner work, character development, devising, study of contemporary and classical texts, movement, and voice. The training also emphasizes emotional depth, improvisation, and collaboration, encouraging students to develop a strong personal technique while adapting to various roles and performance environments. In addition, students will learn how to work with direction, engage with different performance mediums, and prepare for the demands of professional auditions and productions.

Dance

Dance training encompasses a variety of genres to create a versatile dancer. Classes are studied in ballet, commercial, contemporary, jazz, modern, and tap. The focus is to develop technique, choreography, fitness, flexibility, rhythmicality, and performance skills, with an emphasis on adapting to different dance styles and performing with confidence. Students will also work on stage presence, expression, and musicality, ensuring they can bring energy and authenticity to every performance. Through rigorous training, students will build the strength, agility, and discipline required to excel in both group and solo dance settings.

Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre training includes the three disciplines of acting, dance, and singing, with a focus on integrating these skills to become a triple-threat performer. Classes are studied in stage and screen acting, ballet, jazz dance, tap, solo and group singing, and musical theatre performance. In all areas, the focus is on developing versatility, technique, and performance quality, enabling students to seamlessly blend these art forms. Emphasis is placed on technical skills, audition preparation, character development, emotional expression, vocal technique, physicality, timing and stage craft.

Production

Production training explores the different areas of working backstage, including stage management, lighting, music and sound, costume, props, and set. The course will emphasise practical skills, problem-solving, and collaboration. Studying these key elements, students will gain direct experience in creating and managing all aspects of a production, learning how each area contributes to the overall performance.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is organised into projects with various modes of assessment, and students are given many performance opportunities during the course. Students are assessed throughout the academic year and final grades are determined by their final major project in term three.

More information about UAL: Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Performing & Production Arts UAL

COURSE CONTENT : ACTING

YEAR 1

TERM 1

• Technical classes and performing skills
• WinterFest performance > Scratch Night
• Opportunity to audition for the Monologue Slam
• Opportunity to audition for Jazz Night

TERM 2

• Production skills
• Devising

TERM 3

• Final major project > Play

YEAR 2

TERM 1

• Technical classes and performing skills
• Audition preparation
• Progression intentions
• WinterFest performance > Acting Showcase
• Opportunity to audition for the Monologue Slam
• Opportunity to audition for Jazz Night

TERM 2

• Contextual essay
• Classical project

TERM 3

• Final major project > Play

COURSE CONTENT : DANCE

YEAR 1

TERM 1

• Technical classes and performing skills
• WinterFest performance > Motion
• Opportunity to audition for the Monologue Slam
• Opportunity to audition for Jazz Night

TERM 2

• Production skills
• Devising

TERM 3

• Final major project > Dance Performance

YEAR 2

TERM 1

• Technical classes and performing skills
• Audition preparation
• Progression intentions
• WinterFest performance > Motions
• Opportunity to audition for the Monologue Slam
• Opportunity to audition for Jazz Night

TERM 2

• Contextual essay
• Classical project

TERM 3

• Final major project > Dance Performance

COURSE CONTENT : MUSICAL THEATRE

YEAR 1

TERM 1

• Technical classes and performing skills
• WinterFest performance > Musical Showcase
• Opportunity to audition for the Monologue Slam
• Opportunity to audition for Jazz Night

TERM 2

• Production skills
• Devising

TERM 3

• Final major project > Musical

YEAR 2

TERM 1

• Technical classes and performing skills
• Audition preparation
• Progression intentions
• WinterFest performance > Musical Showcase
• Opportunity to audition for the Monologue Slam
• Opportunity to audition for Jazz Night

TERM 2

• Contextual essay
• Classical project

TERM 3

• Final major project > Musical

COURSE CONTENT : PRODUCTION

YEAR 1

TERM 1

• Technical classes and production skills
• Health and safety
• Shadow WinterFest performances

TERM 2

• Production skills
• Devising
• Voice reels

TERM 3

• Final major projects

YEAR 2

TERM 1

• Technical classes and production skills
• Progression intentions
• WinterFest performances

TERM 2

• Contextual essay
• Classical project
• Touring project
• Show reels

TERM 3

• Final major projects

AREAS OF STUDY

ACTING PATHWAY

ACTING – STAGE & SCREEN

– Character development

– Contemporary text

– Classical text

– Devising

– Duologues

– Group scenes

– Improvisation

– Monologues

– Movement

– Physical Theatre

– Physicality

– Screen work

– Stage craft

– Taking direction

– Text analysis

– Voice

COURSEWORK

– Critique

– Contextual study

– Essay

– Evaluation

– Reflective practise

– Research

– Viva’s

ENRICHMENT

– Careers week workshops

– Theatre trips

DANCE PATHWAY

DANCE

– Choreography

– Dynamics

– Expression

– Extension

– Fitness

– Flexibility

– Group work

– Musicality

– Performance

– Picking up choreography

– Placement

– Rhythmicality

– Spatial awareness

– Stage craft

– Stage presence

– Stamina

– Technique

CLASSES

– Ballet

– Commercial

– Contemporary

– Jazz

– Modern

– Tap

COURSEWORK

– Critique

– Contextual study

– Essay

– Evaluation

– Reflective practise

– Research

– Viva’s

ENRICHMENT

– Careers week workshops

– Theatre trips

MUSICAL THEATRE PATHWAY

ACTING – STAGE & SCREEN

– Character development

– Contemporary text

– Classical text

– Devising

– Duologues

– Group scenes

– Improvisation

– Monologues

– Movement

– Physical Theatre

– Physicality

– Screen work

– Stage craft

– Taking direction

– Text analysis

– Voice

DANCE – BALLET, TAP, JAZZ

– Choreography

– Dynamics

– Expression

– Extension

– Fitness

– Flexibility

– Group work

– Musicality

– Performance

– Picking up choreography

– Placement

– Rhythmicality

– Spatial awareness

– Stage craft

– Stage presence

– Stamina

– Technique

SINGING

– Acting through song

– Belt quality

– Cry quality

– Group singing

– Musical Theatre

– Performance

– Pop / Rock

– Projection

– Repertoire

– Solo singing

– Speech quality

– Vocal health

COURSEWORK

– Critique

– Contextual study

– Essay

– Evaluation

– Reflective practise

– Research

– Viva’s

ENRICHMENT

– Careers week workshops

– Theatre trips

PRODUCTION PATHWAY

PRODUCTION

– Costume

– Editing

– Hair

– Lighting

– Make-up

– Music

– Projection

– Props

– Queues

– Set

– Sound

– Special effects

– Stage management

– Technical software

COURSEWORK

– Critique

– Contextual study

– Essay

– Evaluation

– Reflective practise

– Research

– Viva’s

ENRICHMENT

– Careers week workshops

– Theatre trips

Fees and funding

Please note:

• Students aged 16 to 18, or those aged 16 to 24 who have a valid EHCP, and are studying Further Education courses are not charged course fees.
• For more information about financial support, please click here.

Equipment: Students are required to wear Nescot performing arts standard uniform which includes black t-shirt and sweatshirt. The fee for this uniform is approximately £27.50 and can be ordered at Nescot during enrolment. Students will also need a textbook, ballet and tap shoes : approximately £53.

Visits: Enrichment visits will be arranged throughout the programme and will cost in total for the year approximately £80.