Vocational – Professional Performance Programme Level 3 – Musical Theatre

The Professional Performance Programme (PPP) is a challenging and rewarding course that is only available at Runshaw. It offers intensive, high-quality training for motivated students who want to pursue careers in the performing arts. Whereas A Levels focus more on theory than practical work, the PPP teaches hands-on performance skills and thus gives students a much better chance of passing auditions for prestigious dance, drama and musical theatre schools.

The Musical Theatre pathway offers equal levels of training in the three disciplines of acting, dance and singing. There is a focus on vocal technique and acting through song, along with technique classes in ballet, jazz and commercial dance. Acting classes cover naturalism and classical theatre. In the second year, all students will take part in a full-length Musical Theatre show for a public audience. 

Exceptional candidates may also be able to study for an A Level in Dance, Music or Theatre Studies alongside this PPP pathway.

   

For our Advanced Vocational courses our entry requirements are a minimum of 5x GCSEs at Grade 4, Maths or English Language or Literature at Grade 4 and Grade 3 in the others.

Some courses and subjects will have additional specific entry requirements or require DBS clearance to undertake placements. Information about this can be found on the Apply Portal, and on your offer letter which you will receive after your interview.

In order to maintain the high quality of the Professional Performance Programme, applicants must also pass an audition. This ensures that all the students on the PPP have the necessary level of skill and commitment to succeed. Applicants who do not yet meet the standard for the Level 3 qualification may be offered a place on the PPP: Foundation – a one-year course designed to develop students’ skills to a level where they will then be able to progress onto the PPP Level 3.

You will take part in a number of projects over the two years. Most assessments last for 6-8 weeks and consist of skills classes where you are taught relevant techniques and then development sessions where you apply those techniques and then perform in front of a live audience. You will also complete project books and evaluations for some of the practical work that you have done on the course. All of these will take the form of coursework as there are no written exams. On completion of the course, you will gain an Extended Diploma from the University of the Arts London.

A high proportion of our students move on to prestigious institutions. In 2016, 75% of the students who applied gained places at accredited dance and drama schools; no other college in the North West can match these statistics.

Some of the places that our students have progressed to include:

• Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA)
• Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
• Rose Bruford College
• Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
• Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA)
• East 15 Acting School
• American Academy of Dramatic Art

For guidance about what careers subjects can lead on to please follow this link to the National Careers Service.