Unit G17 - Using development plans to refine skills

1. Identify personal opportunities and areas

for improvement related to progression.
2. Create a plan for personal development.
3. Develop performance skills in response to the plan.

G17.1
What do you actually want to do in the Performing arts
Industry?
As long as I am performing, I will be happy but if I was to
choose, I would want to be a theatre performer or
recording artist but I am open to any opportunities that
come my way whether they involve singing, acting,
dancing, or even all 3.

What are the paths into the industry?

 University – By attending university, you will
undergo a three-year course where at the end you
will gain a qualification that will give you a much
better chance of getting into the industry.
 Drama school – By attending drama school, you will
earn a degree which makes finding work in the
industry easier. In an academic setting, drama
schools are below universities but the degree you
leave drama school with means more to casting
agents.
 Agents – An agent will send your details to casting
directors in order to help you find work in the
industry. Your agent will take on the responsibility of

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 planning your schedules so all you need to do is show
up to them.
 Social media – You could advertise yourself
online by making a social media account
dedicated to your craft and posting videos of you
performing that casting directors can watch on it.
You can also set up your own website with
everything a casting director would need so all
you need to do when applying for performances
is send them a link.

University courses – pros and cons.

Pros-
 You will gain a performing arts degree.
 University is many people’s first experience
away from home – helps you gain
independence.
 Funding is easier to get when doing a course at
university.
 Tuition fees are usually capped at around
£9000.
 There are more places on a university course
compared to a drama school course.

Cons:
 University courses which often involve a lot of
theory work compared to practical.
 Universities aren’t designed specifically for
performing arts students – they aren’t their main
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 focus.
 Someone with a drama school qualification may be
given more opportunities in the industry.
 Teaching staff may not be of as high a standard
then that of a drama school.

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Identify the entry requirements for 5 (five) University
drama courses.
Chichester University:
UCAS Tariff – 104 – 120 points
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – DDD –
DMM
Audition

ICTheatre:
UCAS Tariff – 32 points
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – PPP
Audition

Surrey University:
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – MMM
GCSE English Language and Maths at 4
Audition
Interview

Central Lancashire University:

UCAS Tariff – 96 points
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – MMM
5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including Maths and
English
Audition

MMU
UCAS Tariff – 104 – 112 points
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – DMM
Audition
Interview

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Drama schools – pros and cons.
Pros:
 Performing arts students are their main focus.
 Less theory work compared to practical.
Teaching staff are of a higher standard and may
have more experience than the staff of a
university.
 You may get to make connections with industry
professionals who could hire you in the future.
 Having a drama school qualification may give you
better opportunities than someone with a
university qualification.

Cons:
 Very expensive.
 Funding isn’t as attainable.
 Most drama schools are in London which is an
expensive place to live.
 Places on drama school course are very limited –
thousands could apply and only 30 accepted.

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Identify the entry requirements for 5 (five) drama school
courses.
Mountview
5 GCSE passes
BTEC National Diploma with merit grades
2 round of auditions - £25 first round, £20 second
round

LMA
UCAS Tariff – 64 points
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – MPP
Audition

RADA
Online Application
4 Audition stages – preliminary audition, recall, short
workshop, full workshop day
Be fluent in spoken and written English
Demonstrate an intellectual, creative and practical
ability to undertake degree level training

Italia Conti
UCAS Tariff – 64 points
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – MPP
Online Application
Audition

LIPA
UCAS Tariff – 64 points
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma – MPP
5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including Maths and
English
Audition

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How does the freelance world work?

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Most performers won’t dedicate their career to a single
company. Instead, they work on a contract basis for a
variety of different companies.
In order to get freelance work, either you or your agent
will set up a website or social media account
advertising yourself which you can then send to
casting director who hopefully will want you to audition
for them. If the audition is successful and you land a
job, you will complete that job under a certain contract
until it is complete. The cycle then repeats.

Agents! How?

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To get an agent you will need to send an application to
a talent agency. In order for an agent to sign you, you
must be able to showcase your talent to the agency so
that they hopefully like you and want to take you on. A
percentage of the money that you get from
performances an agent found for you will go to the
agent, that is how they get paid so it is in their best
interest to find you work meaning that if they don’t think
you’re talented enough and that it would be hard to find
you work they won’t sign you.
The chances of you being accepted by a talent agency
may increase if you reach out to performers already
signed under them for advice, get references and
recommendations, target specific agents and follow up
your application so they definitely know you are
interested.

Other opportunities??
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  Applying for auditions online
 Work experience/volunteering at theatres etc. –
could be a chance to make connections in the
industry
 Social media – TikTok, YouTube, Twitch,
Instagram etc. – posting performances online
which could gain some attention
 Busking
 Performing at festivals, restaurants, cafes, pubs

G17.2
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What do I need to prepare for my onward journey? What
is your personal toolkit to be a professional? (G19)

Skills
 Learning more styles of dance – tap, ballet etc.
 Dance skills – flexibility, balance, control, strength.
 Monologue skills – storytelling, diction, using
gestures, expressions, and emotion.
 Singing skills – falsetto and head voice, strong
vocal support
 Confidence
 Resilience
 Self-promotion

Materials
 Online portfolio/website
 Show reel
 Personal statement
 University applications
 Performers CV
 Classical song – Don’t Rain on my Parade (Funny
Girl)
 Classical song – Something’s Coming (West Side
Story)
 Contemporary Song – Someone Like You (Jekyll &
Hyde)
 Contemporary Monologue – Blue Moon Over
Poplar
 Contemporary Monologue – How to be Alone.

When do I need it by?

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  I need to have prepared all my audition material by
January 14th as my first audition is on this date.
 I need to finish everything required for my UCAS
application (personal statement, university
applications etc.) by January 25th.

Key Dates

University
UCLan Open Day – 16th October
Chichester Open Day – 30th October
UCLan Audition – 25th January
 I only had to prepare 2 contrasting musical theatre
songs for this audition.
 My audition was successful, and I have now made
UCLan my firm choice.
Chichester Audition – 4th February
 I needed to prepare 2 contrasting musical theatre
songs and a contemporary monologue for this
audition. There was also a dance audition.
 I was offered their cabaret course.

Drama school
GSA Audition – Self tape
 I needed to do 2 contrasting musical theatre
songs, one being from pre-1965, and perform 5
short dance exercises which were provided by
GSA.
 My audition was unfortunately unsuccessful.
GSA Open Day – 23rd October
ICTheatre Open Day – 9th November
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ICTheatre Audition – 14th January
 I needed to prepare 2 contrasting musical theatre
songs and 1 contemporary monologue. There was
also a dance audition.
 Invited to acting recall.
Hammond Audition – 18th February
 I also needed to prepare 2 contemporary musical
theatre songs and 1 contemporary monologues for
this audition, as well as there being a dance
audition.
 Offered acting course at the University of Chester.

Freelance work

N/A

Showcases for Unit 18 / milestones.

Showcase 1 – 30th March

Showcase 2
Showcase 3

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WEEK 2
WEEK 3
WEEK 4
WEEK 5
WEEK 6
WEEK 7
WEEK 8
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WEEK 9
WEEK 10
WEEK 11
WEEK 12
WEEK 13
WEEK 14
WEEK 15
Logs

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