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East 15 Acting School’s BA Acting and Community Theatre course is a professional route into the world of community-focused theatre practice in which artists create theatre for, with, and about the communities in which they live.
In an intensely practical, professionally oriented environment, a broad range of acting, performance and community facilitation skills are developed through local projects and in partnership with leading industry organisations.
You will work extensively with communities and professionals throughout your training, making for a seamless transition to a professional career in this field.
If you believe that theatre is for all and you want to use the power of drama to influence the world, our BA Acting and Community Theatre is for you!
UK entry requirements
Applicants will need to successfully complete a physical workshop audition and should also have, or expect to have:
-A-levels: CDD, or the equivalent in UCAS tariff points, to include 2 full A Levels
-BTEC: MMP
-IB: 25 points or three Higher Level certificates with 433.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programmes at both Higher and Standard Levels. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard levels, and the course applied for. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Please note that a satisfactory enhanced DBS check will be required prior to starting any placement(s) for this course. This will be organized by the University.
A satisfactory Overseas Criminal Record Check/Local Police Certificate is also required, in addition to a DBS Check, where you have lived outside of the UK in the last 5 years for 6 months or more.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
20 hours per week.
Your first year focuses on introductory acting, voice, articulation, singing, and movement. You explore individual creativity, self, and responsiveness to other actors, as well as developing observational skills and improvisation, applied research, and learning how to engage and collaborate with a range of different community groups. In addition, you will:
Create individual character study through text analysis into scene study, verbatim, and Shakespeare
Learn to re-create through reflection, research, and improvisation
Participate productively in the shared group experience and larger community-based projects
Your first year culminates in a unique ‘Living History Project’, in which you study, understand, and live the lives of others through a period of historical conflict.
Your second year provides key practical and public experience. This includes working in partnership with practicing professionals to create documentary theatre based on real lives, devise and tour participatory performances, perform object theatre and understand and perform Forum theatre. You will also:
Collaborate with young people to make new dramatic works
Create and edit your own videos
Develop workshop facilitation and leadership skills
Learn clowning, puppetry, and circus skills
Forge professional links in the community theatre industry by undertaking an internship with an established theatre company
Apply workshop facilitation skills in community host organizations
You will also gain a thorough understanding of developing a theatre project from conception to delivery through devising, managing, and performing in the annual ‘Southend Street Theatre Festival
Your third year involves extensive work with communities and professionals to help you make a seamless transition into professional life. Projects include:
Facilitating theatre projects within areas such as health, social services, and the justice system
Political theatre and organizing a site-specific performance
An opportunity to extend your music skills in a cabaret
You will also apply production, marketing, and evaluation skills to create your own, devised community play.
The year culminates with an Industry Showcase for an invited audience of influential agents, casting directors, theatre companies, and film, TV, and theatre directors. East 15 continually liaises with industry professionals to ensure the format for the event accords with the changing landscape of the industry.
If you do not require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK then we will assess your English language proficiency/ability at your interview or audition.
If your first language is not English and you are an international student that requires a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK then you will need IELTS 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
Other programmes you might be interested in.
For any enquiries or further details, please don't hesitate to contact us. Let's take the next step in your academic journey together.
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