INFO

Study musical theatre and dance in Truro, Cornwall

PROGRAMME OF STUDY

Acknowledging the financial impact of studying full-time, the course has been designed on a 5 -day week in order to facilitate students who may wish or need to supplement their income to fund the course.

Study will be tailored to suit individual needs and include Ballet and Jazz Technique classes as well as Tap, Commercial, Singing, Acting and Musical Theatre. Additional classes will include health and safety issues, injury prevention and audition technique - enabling the student to go forward with the ability and confidence to market themselves in a competitive field. Assistance and advice with applications to full-time colleges forms is part of the course.

In addition to classes and workshops with guest teachers and examiners, students will gain invaluable experience including, appearing with Ellen Kent’s Ballet and Opera International at the Hall for Cornwall, dance teaching in the community, audition preparation, student showcase’s, performance at the Hall for Cornwall in the JTPA annual show, performance in London’s prestigious dance theatre, Sadlers Wells with the Jason Thomas Dance Company and the Foundation Course Performance at the Regal Theatre.

Tutors are experienced teachers and technicians from within the industry. Students will be continually assessed and receive feedback and written reports.

The course will run from Monday to Friday and in addition students have access to the studios evening timetable and space for rehearsals.

The Foundation College offers a BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Musical Theatre. We will also be offering a BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma in Musical Theatre. The BTEC is run through the Foundation course and comprises of units which include jazz, singing, musical theatre and group performance. Units are assessed through performance work, class working and controlled assessments. The entry qualifications are Math’s and English at level 4 and above.

Year 1 Foundation you will be assessed against BTEC criteria for certain performances and written assignments throughout the year. The qualification is the equivalent to 1.5 A level and awards UCAS points on completion.

Year 2 Level 3 extended Diploma. The qualification is the equivalent to Three A levels and awards UCAS points on completion, a pathway to auditioning for a BA (Hons) Degree

Should you successfully audition for BTEC, you are likely to be eligible for approximately 16 hours of funding towards your existing Foundation tuition fees. Further details are available on application.

We will also be offering an Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL) in Performing – Musical Theatre, this qualification encourages candidates to be multi skilled, reflective performers in musical theatre, showing professional potential. The performance standards will be comparable in the UK to other qualifications available at Level 4 in the Qualifications and Credit Framework or the first year of degree- level study.

All the courses are run via a partnership with Bodmin College.

Please note that if you have already completed two years at Sixth form or on any other BTEC/Level 3 equivalents, you will only be eligible for the ATCL in Musical Theatre.

OUR PATRONS

Theresa Kerr, Founder and Principal of Bodywork Dance Company and Cambridge Performing Arts is our patron of the Dance and Musical Theatre Course.

For further information Please call 01872 276365 or email jasonthomasdance@googlemail.com

THERESA KERR

Principal – Cambridge Performing Arts Theresa Kerr has been involved in the Performing Arts industry for the last 40 years as a dancer, presenter, chorographer and teacher. Together with her late husband Patrick, she founded The Bodyworks Dance Studios in 1982

The company grew to house a thriving theatre school, a dance Foundation course (one of the first in the UK) and Cambridge Performing Arts Course, a registered charity, offering the National Diploma in Professional Dance And Musical Theatre. Theresa began her professional training at the Anna Neagle, Fred Astaire Studios in Bond Street London and at the London Dance Centre, Covent Garden with legendary teachers Molly Molloy, Matt Mattrox and Luigi.

After the birth of her children, Theresa decided to go to University to study on a B.A. course in Art History and English. Whilst studying, Theresa began her teacher career, this was the ‘Disco Era’ and her classes took off in a big way. Introducing modern American style to dancers young and old, leading to an invitation to teach at many professional schools. Theresa taught at the Urdang Academy, West Street Schools and the renowned London Studio Centre where she taught for fourteen years. Theresa became a well known Jazz teacher and through her many contacts made the break through into choreography, alongside building up her own college together with her family. Chorography credits include TV, Fashion shows, video, working in the Far East, USA, she has worked with such stars as Dionne Warwick, Freddie Star, Kool and the Gang and many more. Continuing her electric career for the last 25 years as principle of her college, her love and passion remains with her dancers at the studio.

SOLANGE URDANG

Solange comes from an impressive family of activists. Born to the late Leonie Urdang (founder of the Urdang Academy), who fled South Africa in the sixties to London after witnessing apartheid and its injustices.

Solange trained at Urdang, went on to have a successful career in commercial dance, theatre and the music industry before going onto study art and design. Becoming CEO of the Urdang Academy in 2001, she has since developed it to be one of the UK most prolific vocational colleges with an internationally renowned reputation.

Solange has spent her career pushing boundaries and building cultural bridges and sits on various panels promoting and developing diversity in professional musical theatre and dance training.

As well as being Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Black British Theatre Awards, she is the founder of Link Talent agency. She is involved in various charity-based projects both in the UK and South Africa and also judges competitions all over the world.

STUDYING IN CORNWALL

Cornwall’s one and only city, Truro thrived as a port and the prosperity of the late 18th and early 19th that continues to this day can be seen today in the elegant town houses that line the city’s streets. Centre stage is Truro Cathedral with its impressive gothic towers dominating the city skyline. The city's cosmopolitan feel is highlighted on Lemon Quay with the Hall for Cornwall and the variety of restaurants and bars. Truro is connected to the main line rail network and this can be reached by daily flights from London Gatwick Airport to Newquay airport.