Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) (A Level Equivalent)

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Musical Theatre, equivalent to one A Level, is a dynamic and vocationally focused two-year course. It is designed for students wishing to develop their performance skills across musical theatre disciplines – acting, singing and movement.

Students will explore the role of the performer, whilst developing their musical theatre technical ability. Working with influential practitioners and professional repertoire, students will build confidence, creativity, and characterisation development across the course. Assessed productions have included ‘Heathers’, ‘Mean Girls’, ‘Chicago’, and ‘Sweet Charity’. These performances give students an insight into working in the industry as well as practical hands-on experience. Written work is supported by the practical and performance development in class.

The department has excellent extra-curricular additions, with plenty of Performing Arts students performing in a variety of productions throughout the year. Reigate College is fortunate to have a fantastic Dramatic Arts building, with its own superb studio and dance studio, in addition to a suite of dedicated Performing Arts practice rooms and classrooms. Students benefit from trips and workshops, with a recent visit from Frantic Assembly and theatre trips such as ‘&Juliet’, ‘Come From Away’, ‘Here & Now: The Steps Musical’ and ‘Operation Mincemeat’. Many students go on to study Performing Arts at universities and drama schools or work in the industry (e.g. Disney, cruises, touring theatre).

Take a look at some students’ recent performances in the Performing Arts Photo Gallery and Performing Arts Video Gallery.

The College offers three, one A Level equivalent courses in Performing Arts. These are:

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre)
• BTEC Level  3 Extended Certificate in Performing Arts (Acting)
• A Level Dance

Due to the overlap in content for each of the two BTEC Performing Arts courses, students can only take one of them. They can, however, pick one BTEC in Performing Arts – either Acting or Musical Theatre and combine it with A Level Dance.

If you are particularly keen on Performing Arts you may want to consider the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting, Movement and Musical Theatre). The Extended Diploma is the equivalent of three A Levels.

Students often complement their Performing Arts course with subjects such as English Literature or English Language and Literature, Media, Film and Business. Studying Performing Arts often helps students build their confidence as the collaborative nature of the programme develops public speaking and presentation ability, creative problem solving, project management and resilience.

BTEC qualifications are valued in Higher Education and by employers. Students could consider progression routes into the following areas:  

• Performing Arts degree at university
• Drama School
• Performance Design and Management
• Careers in Musical Theatre, Dance, Music entertainment, Singing and Performance
• Performance support, arts administration, workshop leadership and support

Depending on a student’s other Advanced Level courses, they could also consider working in Drama Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Teaching, Journalism, Advertising, Marketing or Travel and Tourism.

See what some of our former Performing Arts students have gone on to do.

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Musical Theatre offers a learner-centred approach, following a unit-based structure where students can apply their knowledge and skills to a project-based assessment. The course intends to build both practical and theoretical development, underpinning knowledge in a practical environment to ensure students can succeed in employment and higher education.

The specification allows students to experience and develop:

• Technical and performance skills in musical theatre disciplines
• The process and art of building a performance
• The interrelationship between all roles within the musical theatre industry
• Encouragement of creative inspiration within performance projects
• Subject specific terminology and its use

These are practical, work-related courses, requiring imagination, sensitivity and the ability to get on well with others. Students will learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. 

Performing Arts students have the opportunity to take part in a variety of course related experiences. In the last couple of years, these have included: 

• Workshops and sessions with Frantic Assembly, GSA (Guildford School of Acting), PPA (Performance Preparation Academy)
• Regular theatre trips including visits to London’s West End and the Globe Theatre, to see for example: Come From Away
• A Q&A session with West End practitioners
• A ‘Performing Arts Industry Day’ held in collaboration with Audition Ready
• Theatre visits including the Globe, Royal Opera House and West End productions
• Taking part in a variety of College Productions: Oklahoma!, Antigone, Sister Act, The Tempest, Legally Blonde, Grease
• The opportunity to perform as part of a College showcase event, at Reigate Summer Festival, a weekend-long arts festival in Reigate’s town centre in June.
• Links with ‘Audition Ready App’

Reigate College is proud to be partnered with Emil Dale Academy and Perform Now.

In addition to course specific experiences, students also have the opportunity to get involved in the College’s Activities Programme.

All students need to gain an experience of the workplace during their time at College and for students studying vocational courses it should ideally be linked to one of their subject areas.

This Performing Arts (Musical Theatre), BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate course allows students to develop skills in Performance, Acting, Voice and Movement. Students will develop a broad range of skills that will be incorporated across regular performance assessments.

The course is equivalent in size to one A Level. Students will study five units, of which three are mandatory and one is external.

• Mandatory content (66%)
• External assessment (33%)

Achievement in the qualification requires a demonstration of depth of study in each unit, assured acquisition of a range of practical skills required for employment or progression to higher education, and successful development of transferable skills.

Alongside practical lessons, students are required to submit coursework as part of their assessment. This will result in a report demonstrating the student’s understanding of the unit’s content, and ongoing development diaries and milestone write-ups to review their personal development of their own performance.

The exam board for this BTEC is Pearson BTEC.

All students need to have at least five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above (and a satisfactory school reference) in order to be accepted on an A Level/BTEC Level 3 Programme.  

In addition, students should meet the following minimum GCSE requirement: 

• Grade 4 in English Language or English Literature

A Merit or above in BTEC Level 2 Performing Arts will also be considered. Students without at least a Grade 4 in GCSE Drama will be required to demonstrate their ability at interview and some students will be required to audition. 

A typical Performing Arts student is lively, ambitious, hardworking and expressive. It is vital that they are willing to perform in public, work with others, solve problems, plan their own learning, and communicate effectively through speaking. Students should also be able to use information technology for research and for drafting and writing coursework.

What skills do you need for the Performing Arts course?

• Performance Skills (Acting, Dancing, Singing)
• Confidence
• Self-Publicity skills
• Resilience and ability to withstand constructive criticism
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Self-Reflection
• Positive response to direction
• Flexibility
• Stamina
• Time-management

What are the differences between the Acting and Musical Theatre courses?

The Acting course focuses on acting techniques including scripted work, devising and improvisation. There is no singing or dancing on the Acting course, however students will explore vocal work and movement in relation to contemporary demands on the actor. Areas the Acting course focuses on include: Shakespeare, Brecht, Stanislavski and Community Theatre.

Musical Theatre is the study of Broadway and West End shows. Although there is an element of acting exploration, the skills and techniques will also require the exploration of vocal chorus technique and ensemble dance. We explore musical theatre practitioners such as Bob Fosse or Andrew Lloyd Webber. In recent years we have explored and performed extracts of Heathers, Chicago and Sweeney Todd.

What type of student should choose the Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (3 A Level
equivalent) course?

Students who chose to spend the majority, or all, of their time in the Performing Arts department will probably have their minds set on continuing with Performing Arts at university or drama school and/or pursuing a career in this sector. 

To do the Extended Diploma, students will need to be interested in all three aspects of performance: Acting, Singing and Dancing.  Naturally all students will have strengths and weaknesses in different areas, but they must be willing to engage in all aspects of the course. 

The ability to work well as part of a group is absolutely vital.

What kind of courses do students go on to?

Our students go on to a huge variety of performance courses after they finish College.  The department has an excellent reputation with Higher Education establishments.  Recent destinations have included the Guildford School of Acting, alongside prestigious universities such as Chichester, York and Bournemouth.

What is the average class size?

The normal class size is 16 students.  Our courses are hugely popular, but we recognise the need to keep class sizes to a reasonable level, in order for individuals to reach their maximum potential.

Do I have to audition?

Students applying for one of the Extended Certificate courses in Performing Arts – Acting or Musical Theatre, one A Level equivalent, will not need to audition.

What kit should I wear for class?

You should always be performance ready! A lot of our lessons require practical movement, therefore loose-fitting clothes that allow you to move freely and easily are recommended, in addition to appropriate footwear such as trainers. Our dance studio is a no-shoe zone so be prepared to be barefoot unless you have jazz shoes or ballet shoes.

Thinking of the Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (3 A Level equivalent) course? How is that different to our Extended Certificate (1 A Level equivalent) course?

Students who chose to audition for the Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (three A Level equivalent) course will spend all their time in the Performing Arts department. They will probably have their minds set on the Performing Arts as their chosen career and won’t wish to explore other course options. They will be focused on continuing with Performing Arts at university or drama school.

To do the Extended Diploma, students will need to be interested in all three aspects of performance: Acting, Singing and Dancing. Naturally all students will have strengths and weaknesses in different areas, but they must be willing to engage in all aspects of the course. The ability to work well as part of a group is absolutely vital.

For more information, visit the course page here: Performing Arts (Acting, Musical Theatre and Movement) (Three A Level Equivalent) – Reigate College