BTEC Performance (Acting) is a very successful subject.
The Drama Department is a thriving and creative community and we welcome you to consider the BTEC Performance (Acting) Qualification. This course aims to strengthen the student’s acting and performing experience through developing devising skills and their ability to interpret scripts. The Drama Department is proud to offer this course.
During the course, students will work as a theatre company on term long projects that will encourage them to become confident performers through the rehearsal and refinement of key acting skills. Students will complete two mandatory units and three further units.
Students will be given opportunities to attend live performances in order to expand their understanding of theatre. The Drama Department organises several theatre experiences for students – performances and workshops in school, as well as theatre trips.
Courses Offered
National Extended Certificate (equivalent of 1 A Level)
Edexcel/Pearson (BTEC Specification)
Syllabus Breakdown
Year 12: Unit 34: Developing Skills and Techniques for Performance
Learners focus on their own performance skill development in workshops, rehearsals and performances.
Year 12: Unit 18: Interpreting Classical text for Performance
Learners explore a range of classical text and rehearse one for performance.
Year 12: Unit 20: Developing the Voice for Performance
Learners will explore techniques and exercise for effective voice production and apply these in performance.
Year 13: Unit 3: Group Performance Workshop
Learners work in a group to create an original piece of theatre.
Year 13: Unit 19: Acting Styles
Learners specialise and focus more deeply on a range of theatrical styles for performance.
Subject Key Concepts
#1 Professionalism #2 Empathy #3 Versatility #4 Creativity
#5 Theatre is Reflective #6 Culture and Theatre #7 Experience and Practice
Please click here for Subject Key Concepts.
Curriculum Overview
Please click here for a PDF Year 12 curriculum overview for the year.
Please click here for a PDF Year 13 curriculum overview for the year.
Minimum Entry Requirements
Good performance skills are essential for this course; in addition to our general Sixth Form entry requirements of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, students will need to have gained a grade 4 in GCSE Drama (if taken) to be accepted onto the course. It is very important that students are committed to working in a group and enjoy working with others. Students are assessed by portfolio-based reflection and research that supports their performances throughout the course.
Why Study BTEC Performing Arts?
We believe that involvement in performance encourages students to express themselves with more clarity and assurance. Students are encouraged to be independent through their research and exploration of dramatic texts and stimuli and to be effective in their participation and co-operation in rehearsals and performances.
This course focusses principally on developing knowledge and skills as an actor. All students are expected to be keen performers.
Wider Opportunities
The Drama Department is one of the school’s most exciting departments. There are many opportunities for Sixth Form students to take the lead in our annual school productions, to participate in drama clubs with younger students, and some students even lead their own independent productions within the school. In addition to this, Sixth Form students can opt into Drama for their Year 12 enrichment hour and work creatively and collaboratively without too many boundaries! The possibilities for our senior students are endless.
Students are taken on at least five theatre trips during the year, which directly link to their assessment in the form of evaluating live theatre. These trips are always greatly rewarding experiences for students. In addition to this they participate in theatre workshops with professional actors and they can use the dedicated Sixth Form Drama Library and the extensive costume and prop department to support their studies.
What Our Students Say
"Since graduating I have continued to seek a career in theatre and am starting to make tracks along that path, which began during my time at KTS."
"It helped me develop my interest in theatre as I had the opportunity to experience live theatre that I may have missed out on otherwise."
"As a class we were ridiculously close by the end, and it was brilliant to work with them on productions."
"We were constantly encouraged to push our acting skills to the next level to create an impact on the audience."
What Can I Do Next?
Performance and Acting can both be studied at university at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as a single discipline or as part of a combined degree with a vast range of subjects. Students might also choose to continue development at a drama school. There is a plethora of jobs in the theatre industry, both on and off stage. Some examples of career opportunities in this sector can be found at the Get Into Theatre website.
However, Acting doesn’t just lead to a career in the Arts Industry. Employers are seeking to recruit individuals who can demonstrate key skills that are developed throughout the course, such as communication, analytical and creativity skills. As such, this course can effectively support a student application for further study or employment in a range of areas.
