About the Programme
Hertford Regional College's Higher Education provision in Performing Arts is designed to provide students with creative performance and management skills to develop themselves as independent artists and theatre-makers in the field of entertainment. The core focus of this course is to train students to produce, manage and sustain original theatrical work at a professional standard. Our facilities meet industry standards, and staff expertise and experience support students to prepare for industry.
Our students consistently demonstrate industry standard performances, underpinned by high attendance, leading to strong outcomes. This level 6 top-up year enables students to achieve a full BA Hons degree, providing them with a clear line of sight to employment.
This Level 6 provision has been produced in close collaboration with our partners and subject specialists at the University of Hertfordshire. The course develops students' skills through technique classes, historical context lectures, application in rehearsal and performance, independent study, and reflective practice. Definitive module documents have been developed and refined to create a world class educational experience for our students' Level 6 year.
Why have a career in Performing Arts?
Theatre and the arts have had a positive impact on the national economy and according to the Arts Council in 2018 'the arts and culture industry grew £390 million in a year and contributed £10.8 billion a year to the UK economy. The sector contributes £2.8 billion a year to the Treasury via taxation and generates a further £23 billion a year and 363,700 jobs.' The report also states that 30% of this figure is combined arts and a direct 25% of this figure is theatre. Despite the pandemic affecting all industries in recent years, according to UK Theatre and Society of London Theatres 'The theatre sector is normally responsible for directly and indirectly generating approximately £1 billion per annum in VAT revenue for HM Treasury, not including additional revenue in the form of PAYE and NI contributions. It will therefore play a vital part in the nation's recovery.' The arts have been supported during the time of the pandemic through the cultural support fund with the government recognising the importance and continued importance this industry has for the UK economy.
Teaching Team
Programme Manager and Module Lead: Francessca-Danyelle Rusling
Highest Qualification: BA (Hons) Performing Arts - First Class
Experience: With over 10 years of professional training in dance, voice and acting I have been lucky enough to perform at range of theatres across England including, the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham and The Berry Theatre Southampton. My previous stage acting roles include Sally Durant-Plummer in 'Follies' and Abby in 'Stitching' (local theatre productions). Additionally, to stage, my screen experience extends from student films, acting in films for the Exposure and Comic Con Film Festivals and working as a supporting actor on the feature film 'Gangland Revenge'. Alongside acting, I also have experience teaching at a local performing arts academy to children aged 3-18 years.
Additionally, whilst on the programme, learners will be taught by an array of lecturers who have had successful careers within the industry and as a result are able to share their experiences first-hand with the learners.
What will I be doing?
The programme consists of three modules: Advanced Character Performance, Planning New Theatrical Work & Creative Project (Final Major Project)
Advanced Character Performance: In this module, you will be encouraged to work independently to create performance material using a variety of mediums to convey a character. This could be through song, acting, dance, duologue, small scene, or physical performance. A performance will take place toward the end of the module that will showcase the developed work.
The purpose of this module is to enhance character performance through the interweaving examination of character and the world of the play. Choices and decisions of the characters life impacted by the environment they live in. Through research, planning, rehearsal, performance, and reflection you will have the opportunity to learn and practice the required knowledge and skills required to create complex characters and perform them.
Planning New Theatrical Work: In Planning New Theatrical Work students will be enabled to explore and implement the skills and documentation required to put together plans for their own performance concept. Through a series of lecture-seminars, supervised study and independent study students will be introduced to: funding streams through commercial and subsidised income models; business models; securing performance rights; selecting appropriate venues; expenses of a theatre production (personal); complex expenses such as licences, royalty pools and box office splits; expenses of equipment hire vs purchase. The primary source of income for many theatre performances is through the sale of tickets, therefore students will be encouraged to explore appropriate and innovative advertising and marketing methods and analyse current market trends.
Students will be encouraged to work independently to produce professional documentation required to plan their own show concept.
Creative Project: In Final Major Project Performing Arts students will draw upon their knowledge gained in Planning New Theatrical Work and Advanced Character Performance to create a new original performance.
Students will be exploring and implementing all knowledge and skills required to produce and perform their own show. The performance itself would typically be a minimum of one hour and no longer than three hours (including any intermissions applied).
Students will be guided through the creative processes that includes: scripting; directing; rehearsal design; characters; exploration of themes; experimenting with character relationships; applying correct dramaturgical requirements.
Assessments Methods may include:
Production Portfolio
Business Plans
Marketing Pitch
Individual Performance
Group Performance
Self-Evaluation
Critical Evaluation
Peer Evaluation
Q&A
Critical Analysis within Research
Research Portfolio
Entry Requirements
Successful completion of:
HND Performing Arts RQF in either Musical Theatre, Acting or Dancing pathways, or
HND Performing Arts QCF in either Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Performing Arts (Performance) or Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Performing Arts
In addition you will also need:
English - C/4 above or level 2 equivalent
Maths - C/4 above or level 2 equivalent
Hertford Regional College's Higher Education provision in Performing Arts is designed to provide students with creative performance and management skills to develop themselves as independent artists and theatre-makers in the field of entertainment. The core focus of this course is to train students to produce, manage and sustain original theatrical work at a professional standard. Our facilities meet industry standards, and staff expertise and experience support students to prepare for industry.
Our students consistently demonstrate industry standard performances, underpinned by high attendance, leading to strong outcomes. This level 6 top-up year enables students to achieve a full BA Hons degree, providing them with a clear line of sight to employment.
This Level 6 provision has been produced in close collaboration with our partners and subject specialists at the University of Hertfordshire. The course develops students' skills through technique classes, historical context lectures, application in rehearsal and performance, independent study, and reflective practice. Definitive module documents have been developed and refined to create a world class educational experience for our students' Level 6 year.
Why have a career in Performing Arts?
Theatre and the arts have had a positive impact on the national economy and according to the Arts Council in 2018 'the arts and culture industry grew £390 million in a year and contributed £10.8 billion a year to the UK economy. The sector contributes £2.8 billion a year to the Treasury via taxation and generates a further £23 billion a year and 363,700 jobs.' The report also states that 30% of this figure is combined arts and a direct 25% of this figure is theatre. Despite the pandemic affecting all industries in recent years, according to UK Theatre and Society of London Theatres 'The theatre sector is normally responsible for directly and indirectly generating approximately £1 billion per annum in VAT revenue for HM Treasury, not including additional revenue in the form of PAYE and NI contributions. It will therefore play a vital part in the nation's recovery.' The arts have been supported during the time of the pandemic through the cultural support fund with the government recognising the importance and continued importance this industry has for the UK economy.
Teaching Team
Programme Manager and Module Lead: Francessca-Danyelle Rusling
Highest Qualification: BA (Hons) Performing Arts - First Class
Experience: With over 10 years of professional training in dance, voice and acting I have been lucky enough to perform at range of theatres across England including, the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham and The Berry Theatre Southampton. My previous stage acting roles include Sally Durant-Plummer in 'Follies' and Abby in 'Stitching' (local theatre productions). Additionally, to stage, my screen experience extends from student films, acting in films for the Exposure and Comic Con Film Festivals and working as a supporting actor on the feature film 'Gangland Revenge'. Alongside acting, I also have experience teaching at a local performing arts academy to children aged 3-18 years.
Additionally, whilst on the programme, learners will be taught by an array of lecturers who have had successful careers within the industry and as a result are able to share their experiences first-hand with the learners.
What will I be doing?
The programme consists of three modules: Advanced Character Performance, Planning New Theatrical Work & Creative Project (Final Major Project)
Advanced Character Performance: In this module, you will be encouraged to work independently to create performance material using a variety of mediums to convey a character. This could be through song, acting, dance, duologue, small scene, or physical performance. A performance will take place toward the end of the module that will showcase the developed work.
The purpose of this module is to enhance character performance through the interweaving examination of character and the world of the play. Choices and decisions of the characters life impacted by the environment they live in. Through research, planning, rehearsal, performance, and reflection you will have the opportunity to learn and practice the required knowledge and skills required to create complex characters and perform them.
Planning New Theatrical Work: In Planning New Theatrical Work students will be enabled to explore and implement the skills and documentation required to put together plans for their own performance concept. Through a series of lecture-seminars, supervised study and independent study students will be introduced to: funding streams through commercial and subsidised income models; business models; securing performance rights; selecting appropriate venues; expenses of a theatre production (personal); complex expenses such as licences, royalty pools and box office splits; expenses of equipment hire vs purchase. The primary source of income for many theatre performances is through the sale of tickets, therefore students will be encouraged to explore appropriate and innovative advertising and marketing methods and analyse current market trends.
Students will be encouraged to work independently to produce professional documentation required to plan their own show concept.
Creative Project: In Final Major Project Performing Arts students will draw upon their knowledge gained in Planning New Theatrical Work and Advanced Character Performance to create a new original performance.
Students will be exploring and implementing all knowledge and skills required to produce and perform their own show. The performance itself would typically be a minimum of one hour and no longer than three hours (including any intermissions applied).
Students will be guided through the creative processes that includes: scripting; directing; rehearsal design; characters; exploration of themes; experimenting with character relationships; applying correct dramaturgical requirements.
Assessments Methods may include:
Production Portfolio
Business Plans
Marketing Pitch
Individual Performance
Group Performance
Self-Evaluation
Critical Evaluation
Peer Evaluation
Q&A
Critical Analysis within Research
Research Portfolio
Entry Requirements
Successful completion of:
HND Performing Arts RQF in either Musical Theatre, Acting or Dancing pathways, or
HND Performing Arts QCF in either Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Performing Arts (Performance) or Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Performing Arts
In addition you will also need:
English - C/4 above or level 2 equivalent
Maths - C/4 above or level 2 equivalent
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