Curious incident performing arts

Welcome to Performing Arts

Performing Arts Subject Evening Recording

Our Performing Arts live stream is now over, click the video to view the recording!

Marmaduke rehearsal8

The Stage Is Waiting...The Spotlight Is Yours!

Whether you're an actor, dancer, singer or a triple threat performer of all three - we are experienced in transforming our students into professional performers.

Across all five courses on offer, you'll master new genres and techniques with our subject specialists and develop your performance skills in our custom Theatre space.

Musical Theatre

Level 3 Performing Arts

Actors and all-rounders will enjoy our Performing Arts courses. If you're aiming to become a 'triple threat' and develop skills in singing, dancing and acting, one of our Performing Arts Musical Theatre courses is for you.

Meanwhile, the Performing Arts Acting course allows you to focus on acting as a discipline, exploring a range of acting styles and leading theatre practitioners.


Performing Arts: Musical Theatre Extended Certificate:

equivalent to 1 A-level with 25% Exams


Performing Arts: Musical Theatre Diploma:

equivalent to 2 A-levels with 12.5% Exams


Performing Arts: Acting Extended Certificate:

equivalent to 1 A-level with 25% Exams

Dance recrop

A-level Dance

Through A-level Dance, you will refine your skills in solo and quartet performances and understand the elements of group choreography. From Christopher Bruce to Jasmin Vardimon, take inspiration from modern dance practitioners and discover your own style.

  • A-level Dance has 50% coursework and 50% exams.
Curious rehearsal IMG 9560 1

A-level Drama and Theatre

Our A-level in Drama and Theatre will allow you to explore the different aspects of performance; you'll analyse texts and performance, understand the work of an actor, designer, and director, to help develop your performance devising skills.

  • A-level Drama & Theatre has 60% coursework and 40% exams.
  • GCSE Drama at grade 4 is beneficial but not essential.
Machinal12
Sophie

Sophie

Rachel H

Rachel H

Rachael J

Rachael J

Ellie

Ellie

Meet Your Teachers

Our Drama, Dance and Performing Arts Teams have a wealth of expertise.

They come from a wide range of industry and educational backgrounds which is shared across all courses, ensuring that you learn from real-world knowledge and experience.

Helpful Videos

Take a look at these recordings from our previous Live Events.

Hear our subject specialists talk about different aspects of the courses and answering questions from other students interested in studying a Performing Arts course at St Brendan's.

Drama & Theatre and Performing Arts: Acting

Drama & Theatre and Performing Arts: Acting FAQs

Dance and Musical Theatre

Dance and Musical Theatre FAQs

BTEC Acting Katie web

Level 3 Acting Student: Katie

'Studying BTEC Acting has really helped me to grow and develop my skills as an actor. I would say my favourite thing about the course is the many performances we have done.

Throughout the course, you also receive amazing support from the teachers; it's a great community.

Next year, I'm going to join UWE to study Drama and Acting; I want to pursue a career in acting and this course enabled me to get even closer to my goal.'

Katie Studied: Acting, Business and Spanish

Case Study Dance Sadie

A-level Dance Student: Sadie

'I chose the A-level Dance course at St Brendan's because it allowed me to become more aware of other choreographers within the dance sector and also to learn new skills, which meant I broadened my knowledge within contemporary dance in particular, which I find is now one of my favourite styles of dance.

The teachers are great and I've learned so much; I also gained the confidence in myself as a dancer. I'm now training at Trinity Laban.'

Sadie Studied: Dance, English Language & Literature and Law

PA Musical Theatre Jo

Level 3 Musical Theatre Student: Jo

'I chose to study Performing Arts as I wanted to specialise in Musical Theatre at college, and this course allowed me to develop not just my acting skills, but also dancing and singing.

I enjoyed the variety of topics, such as acting-intensive units like working on monologues and also units that combined all three skills such as the 'Musical Theatre' unit.

Next year I will be studying History at University. but I will pursue acting as an extra-curricular activity.'

Jo Studied: Musical Theatre, History and Politics

A level Drama Majella

A-level Drama Student: Majella

'A-level Drama has allowed me to express myself in so many different ways. It has helped me grow both as a person and an actor.

There are so many opportunities for trips, which can really inspire you to create something amazing.

The teachers are so supportive and are always organising trips or showcases so you can show off what you have created. Next year I will be studying Drama and Acting at University.'

Majella Studied: Drama & Theatre, Psychology and Spanish

Hannah Richards6

Musical Theatre Alumni: Hannah

'I am a Professional Singer & Musical Theatre Singing & Acting Coach, I trained at the Royal Academy of Music and I also hold a First Class Honours Degree in Drama and Film.'

Former St Brendan's student Hannah has worked with some of the country's top musical theatre performers and experts including John Owen Jones, Jenna Russell and Hadley Fraser alongside MDs & Directors of West End and UK/international tours of shows such as Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady, Martin Guerre, We Will Rock You, Les Miserables and Miss Saigon. She has appeared in concerts, cabarets and musicals nationally, and has sung with some of the UK's leading orchestras. She has also featured as a soloist on BBC2's Friday Night is Music Night.

Careers in Performing Arts

Our Performing Arts students go on to a wide range of careers and university paths after St Brendan's. If you're looking to pursue a career in performing arts, you'll compile a comprehensive portfolio of pieces and repertoire in preparation for all future auditions and interviews.

Careers include performance castings across the UK, in particular the West End, backstage and production roles and design/choreography roles; progression on to HE including prestigious institutions such as Stella Mann, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Italia Conti, Bristol Old Vic, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, East 15 and Laine Theatre Arts.



Use the Pathways tool below to explore various progression routes to numerous careers through Higher Education courses and Apprenticeships.