BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts

Acting Pathway:

• Performing Arts Acting is for students who wish to acquire technical performance skills in Acting as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. The course gives students the opportunity to develop performing arts specific knowledge and skills including vocal, physical and interpretive acting skills. Lessons are delivered in a practical learning environment and students will be expected to perform practically in a variety of different contexts (workshops, rehearsals and final performances)

Students will explore, develop and apply their acting skills whilst completing the three core components:

• Component 1: Students will develop their understanding of the performing arts industry by exploring the professional repertoire of drama practitioners’ and the processes used to create a range of different performance styles.
• Component 2: Students will develop their own performing arts skills and techniques through rehearsal and performance of an extract from a play. Students will have the option to perform in groups or on their own for their assessed performance work.
• Component 3: Students will work as part of a group to apply their performance and devising skills to create a workshop performance in response to a brief.

Dance Pathway:

• Performing Arts Dance is for students who wish to acquire technical performance skills through the study of Dance. The course gives students the opportunity to develop performing arts specific knowledge and skills including choreographic, physical and interpretive dance skills. In the Dance pathway, students will be expected to perform a range of styles including Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet and Hip-Hop.

Students will explore, develop and apply their dance skills whilst completing the three core components:

• Component 1: Students will develop their understanding of the performing arts by exploring practitioners’ work in dance and the processes used to create a range of different performances. Students will complete a coursework log book and promotional materials booklet for this component (60% written and 40% practical).
• Component 2: Students will develop their dance skills through rehearsal and performance. Students will have the option to perform in groups or on their own for their assessed performance work. Students are expected to completed a milestone rehearsal log book for this Component (40% written and 60% practical).
• Component 3: Students will work as part of a group to apply their performance and choreography skills to create a workshop performance in response to a brief and stimulus

Key Stage 4 Component 1:

• Learning aim A: Examine professional practitioners’ performance work
• Learning aim B: Explore the interrelationships between constituent features of existing performance material

Key Stage 4 Component 2:

• Learning aim A: Develop skills and techniques for performance
• A1 Development of performance/design and interpretative skills
• A2 Develop skills and techniques during the rehearsal process
• Learning aim B: Apply skills and techniques in rehearsal and performance
• B1 Application of skills and techniques during rehearsal
• B2 Application of skills and techniques in/for performance
• Learning aim C: Review own development and contribution to the Performance
• C1 Review own development of skills and techniques in/for performance
• C2 Review own application of skills and techniques in/for performance

Key Stage 4 Component 3:

• Learning aim A: Developing ideas in response to a brief
• A1 Understand how to respond to a brief through discussion and practical  exploration activities
• B Selecting and developing skills and techniques in response to a brief
• B1 Demonstrate how to select and develop skills and techniques that are needed to  realise the creative ideas in response to a brief
• C Contributing to a workshop performance
• C1 Application of skills and techniques
• C2 Working effectively with others
• C3 Communicating ideas through performance
• D Evaluating the development process and workshop performance outcome
• D1 Reflect on the process
• D2 Reflect on the outcome

Lessons are delivered in a practical learning environment and students will be expected to perform practically in a variety of different contexts

Students will complete the two internally assessed components and the externally assessed component as part of their classwork throughout Year 10 and Year 11.

Assessments comprise of written coursework such as rehearsal logs and video recordings of workshops, rehearsals and performances:

• Component 1 – Exploring the Performing Arts (30% of course; internally assessed)
• Component 2 – Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts (30% of course; internally assessed)
• Component 3- Performing to a Brief (40% of course; externally assessed

The world is changing so rapidly now that just learning a specific skill set and following it exactly won’t get us very far. What prepares students for life beyond the classroom is learning how to be more creative, which includes flexibility in perception and execution of tasks. The Performing Arts will prepare you for whatever you take on in life whether it’s further and higher education, employment or just being a confident and successful adult.

Jobs directly related to the study of Performing Arts include, among many others: actor, community arts worker, dancer, drama therapist, theatre director, broadcast presenter, teacher, scriptwriter and theatre stage management.

The Performing Arts is not just a subject but a cross-curricular tool as drama strategies and skills can enhance the study of many different subjects. Performing Arts isn’t just about performing, but it is about discovering and creating ingenious ways of problem-solving, exploring issues and presenting information which is as important in the Maths and Science classroom as it is in the Drama studio.

The Main impact of Performing Arts can be seen in the embedding and accelerating of the social, developmental and interpersonal 5Cs skills. For example, the creative thinking and collaborative skills required during rehearsals can be transferred to all other areas of study from Humanities to Physical Education.

There are many cross-curricular links to the English National Curriculum which states that students need to gain knowledge, skills and understanding associated with the artistic practice of drama. There are close links with many Humanities subjects as we explore a range of philosophical, ethical and sociological issues in a performative context.