BA (Hons)
Acting

Top facts

• Full-time vocational degree course for those interested in working as actors on the stage, television, film and radio
• Accredited by the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) and a member of the Conference of Drama Schools (CDS)
• A nationally and internationally acclaimed course which has links with the region's key employers including the BBC, Granada, the Royal Exchange Theatre, The Contact Theatre and The Lowry Centre
• All students who successfully complete the course are eligible for full Equity status
• Former students include Sir Anthony Sher, Julie Walters, David Threlfall, Richard Griffiths, Bernard Hill, Steve Coogan, John Thomson, Noreen Kershaw, Amanda Burton and Adam Kotz

You will study

Year One

Year one introduces the principles of the Alexander Technique and focuses on promoting increased self awareness and the development of individual, physical and imaginative skills.

Following a series of Stanislavski-based acting exercises, you will test out new skills and develop disciplines in a variety of text-based and improvised/devised presentations. In addition to introducing students to the skills of analysis, critical reflection and vocal and written communication, the Contextual Studies programme allows for the consideration of acting from a range of different artistic, political and socio-historical perspectives.

Year Two

In Year Two you will be introduced to the apparent tensions between naturalistic/realistic modes of performance and more epic/stylised form. Work on an extremely diverse range of performance texts is designed to encourage greater self-reliance and an enhanced sensitivity to the ethos of the group. The physical and intellectual demands of classical and contemporary comedy are explored and you will begin to work in the mediums of television and radio. Stage-combat is introduced and you will work towards the completion of BADC certificate.

Year Three

As well as working on public performances, staged in the School’s own Capitol Theatre and attended by agents, casting directors and prospective employers, in Year Three you will begin to focus your skills from an educational environment to a professional one. Central to this process is the final year Showcase featuring individual speeches and duologues that are presented both in Manchester and at a London Theatre. Alongside the various performance events, there are also intensive classes in audition technique, singing, movement, dialect and television and radio. Students are also supported in the completion of an independent project.

• Unit Descriptions

Assessment

Continuous assessment throughout the course with a particular emphasis on public performances in the final year.

Placements

Although the programme does not operate a formal placement scheme, many students are offered opportunities to appear in professional productions in and around the region. Additionally, students undertake workshop visits to Poland and take part in a wide variety of training activities and events hosted by many artists and practitioners that are associated with the School.

Graduates

Graduates of the School pursue careers as professional actors working in Theatre, Film, TV and Radio. Many former students also establish careers as professional directors, writers, filmmakers, agents and teachers.

Location

All Saints, Manchester