Performing Arts

...a BTEC National Diploma In Performing Arts.

It was not a planned decision nor had it been to move to Coventry it just sort of happened. I had a big row with my mum one day and decided to up and leave with a friend who could drive. We just hit the road and ended up in Coventry.

What made me decide on a course at the university was the fact that I was just sitting in the flat doing nothing and I wanted to get out and ...
...be performing arts since I’d always had a gift in acting so I thought I’d put it to some use. I didn’t really know anything about the course or what it entailed I was in a way walking in blind folded. Though I knew it covered drama to a certain degree and this is what made me opt for it.

When I went for the interview my friend also applied. I didn’t think that I would pass the interview stage, but I think having 4 GCSE’s may have ... more

Just over 4 years ago I lived in Coventry with my ex fiancé who was my fiancé at the time then we split up and I moved away from Coventry. During my stay in Coventry I went to the University to study a BTEC National Diploma In Performing Arts.

It was not a planned decision nor had it been to move to Coventry it just sort of happened. I had a big row with my mum one day and decided to up and leave with a friend who could drive. We just hit the road and ended up in Coventry.

What made me decide on a course at the university was the fact that I was just sitting in the flat doing nothing and I wanted to get out and do something constructive. I decided that was going to be performing arts since I’d always had a gift in acting so I thought I’d put it to some use. I didn’t really know anything about the course or what it entailed I was in a way walking in blind folded. Though I knew it covered drama to a certain degree and this is what made me opt for it.

When I went for the interview my friend also applied. I didn’t think that I would pass the interview stage, but I think having 4 GCSE’s may have helped me that and the fact I had acted before. When a letter came through my door to say I’d been accepted a few weeks later I was delighted. My friend didn’t get into the University and I am glad she didn’t since we feel out some time later and she moved back home. Then I stayed on in Coventry on my own which was a bit lonely at times, but I had something to occupy my time.

Looking back the University was much different then as there was a centre on Leasowe's avenue called CUPA an abbreviation for Coventry University Of Performing Arts. The centre for Performing Arts then was quite run down and not at all modern. We just had some rooms with mirror’s in, nothing spectacular. There was the theatre, but it really was nothing to look at and the equipment pays no comparison to today’s state of the art equipment. This has all changed now and the courses take place within the main university block at Coventry.

Founded in 1843 the college does provide some of the best training and founding for any student wishing to pursue their career in acting. Even before the changes some of the teacher’s were the finest we could have had. We even had some famous teachers which was nice because they had the experience and knowledge of acting.

On the Friday of the 6th month in 2000. Coventry University held it's last party at the centre on Leasowes Avenue and moved to it's new home Coventry's former Odeon Cinema. The students who now attend the University are well equipped with all the supplies they need to bring their performances into being. This means that rather than an amateurish production you are seeing some of the best performance styles available. This also benefit’s the students because they have use of a larger capacity of equipment that they can experiment with and use.

In some ways I feel like I missed out on the better funded and better equipped studio's that hold new performance venues, studios and rehearsal rooms. In some ways though I'm glad that I have the memories of Leasowe's Avenue. Though the use of equipment was limited to what is on offer now we had to make up for it with performance quality. This stretched us more and I’m not saying the students are not as qualified just that there are advantages and disadvantages.

During the course we were taught on different aspects of performing arts which covered almost everything. From lighting, costume, performance, writing and directing to acting, managing and speaking. There was something for everyone. I like the fact that we got a taste of everything because it broadened our horizons and instead of just having tunnel vision where are talents lay we were enjoying everything.

Most of the modules were compulsory and out of these I didn't like the fact that I had to stand in front of my class and sing a solo as I know full well that I haven't got a good singing voice. I was so nervous and don’t know how I got through it, but I did and passed. I think my teacher knew that I didn’t have a good singing voice, but just wanted me to sing so that she could put a pass by the core unit. Thus meaning the better singers would get higher grades, but at least those who couldn’t sing well could pass. Then there was the dancing which I have been told that I'm good at, but performing dance in front of an audience when you haven't much confidence in your dancing abilities is just pure difficult.

I tell you something though it sure did wonders for my confidence. The only real thing I was confident of performing in front of people was my acting abilities. Even then it was still nerve racking, but I will never forget the feeling after a performance of a whole play coming off stage afterwards. It is like the adrenaline just rushes through your blood and your heart is thumping. Then seeing my mum in tears because she is so proud of me.

I remember being cast for a part in The Fens and my character was 90 years of age. For a 22 year old to perform someone of that age was quite a task, but looking back I enjoyed it immensely. One girl in my class even commented that I'd frightened her dad I was that convincing.

The seemingly endless hours of rehearsing all were worth it in the end when you put on a performance you could be proud of. People coming up to you at the end and telling you how wonderfully you did. Words like this made all the hard work seem worthwhile. A lot of people seem to think of acting a s glamorous, but that’s not so it is really hard work. Often repetitive and often consisting of a lot of constructive criticism that can really pull you down if you take it the wrong way.

The friendships you form with other students in the same class are often worth while too. In amongst the arguments you have the fun and laughter too. Memories that live with you forever. The special thing is everyone in your class knows how hard it is because your all in the same boat.

For me when I act it's something I enjoy and get a buzz about. It's like putting on a different shell and hiding the person within. I love the feeling of being able to feel what it's like to be another person. It's really strange, but it's good. I know I have a gift in acting. I was told by my acting teacher who I sadly found out died that I was a character actress. Meaning I have the ability to be any character that I want to be. For me to be able to act well I have to be given a character someone who I can slip inside of and become. If you imagine it like putting on a costume and no-one can see the real you all they can see is the costume. That's what it's like for me acting. I often look at the actor’s in the soap opera’s and wonder how they do it. It must be so difficult having to be another person for many year’s. Being a different character in a play for a few days or weeks isn’t bad, but doing it for longer could really do your head in. I think that’s why a lot of actor’s and actresses tend to have nervous break downs.

A Btec National Diploma In Performing Arts is equivalent to 4 A Levels. Although it wasn't widely recognised when I took it, it is becoming more recognised as a qualification today. I remember students applying for Universities after passing this course with distinctions (which by the way is the highest you can get) only to be knocked back by them. Imagine the disappointment after studying for 2 years and then finding you have to take A levels too. So my advice to anyone considering this course is check which Universities accept it first then you won’t encounter disappointment.

The good thing about The Performing Arts course is that it covers everything. Everything you'll need to know about performing and whilst it does cover acting it also covers, dance, singing, costume, lighting, stage design, script writing, writing critiques, managing, producing and lots more to boot. It gives you more of a wider scope than say a specialised course in acting would do. It also helps you to see if you would like to go down another road of maybe costume design. That you could fall back on. Acting is not a secure job which is why many chose to follow different career paths or just don’t succeed. I do believe that you should follow your dreams though if there’s absolutely nothing you want to do more then go for it. I remember a time when acting was all I ever lived for, breathed for, woke up for, now I have other passions in my life. Passions for God, passions for my husband and for a family and passions about my writing.

Drama will always remain with me as will my gift at it, but unless I get the opportunity lying in front of me I won’t pursue it because I know how difficult it is to achieve. You do have to be at the right place at the right time. You also have to have the right face. I remember reading something about Stephanie Beacham and how she became famous. All she did was read a few lines messing about when she was a child in front of a director and he snatched her up. The rest is history as we all know she’s a very successful actress.

Personally I don’t think I’d like all that fame. There is so much pressure on the famous person pressure from the press, pressure from family and time schedules. I prefer the quiet life. Sitting down and writing my book. Going on holiday without anyone hiding and taking pictures of me to put in the newspaper. Though if your determined and you really want to make it you will. This course will certainly lead you in the right direction and teach you the what’s and wherefores.

As well as this it also teaches you practical skills needed in performing. Whist I was on this course I learned how to rig, add sound effects to productions, make masks, puppetry, make costumes and many other skills that I had not know before. I still use some of these skills and find out they come in handy.

Now whilst what I'm saying is praise I couldn't find any fault in this course apart from maybe the teachers who could be a bit strict at times, but then they had to be. I was the oldest in the class and most of the other students had just left school and liked to mess about in class. Saying this towards the last year of the course they had settled down very well. Everyone seemed to pay more attention in the last year and there wasn’t as much none attendance. I think that they realised this was there last year and the only chance they had left to get it right. Not only this, but they had matured.

Don't get me wrong none of this work was easy it was very difficult and mostly time consuming. Where you didn't get much time for anything else, but home work. Saying this we did often go out drinking even if some of them were under age. I do remember some good times out drinking in Coventry which has host of pubs and a few nightclubs. Coventry really is a student Town.

The good thing about this course which suited me was that I knew I didn't have a long exam at the end of it. It all went on course work which really suited me because I'm hopeless at exams. A lot went on your attendance levels too. Thus saying many students pulled sickies including one or two from me! Hope none of my tutor’s read this!

As I think I have already mentioned this is a two year course and many students went onto University afterwards never to be seen again. I have been unable to keep in touch with anyone from my drama days and I miss them. I go on Friends Reunited to see if I recognise anyone, but to no avail. As I said last week I went on the site and found out that the lady who taught me drama on this course had sadly passed away. She will be greatly missed. She was my inspiration on this course and she always used to encourage me. She recognised that the whole class were very talented and often said that we were better than her other higher class. That if only we would pay more attention to her we would learn more. What's saddest is that she wasn't that old at all. I'm not mentioning her name for privacies sake I don't want anyone else to find out the way I did it just wasn't very nice.

Entry Requirements:
You should have at least four GCSEs at grade D-G include two at grade D obviously higher grades will stand you with a better chance (one must be Dance, Drama or English). Entry to the course is subject to a successful interview/audition.

Description of the Course - the course is made up of eighteen units. Each student studies seventeen units over the two years.

Would I recommend this course?

Too right I would. I enjoyed studying this course best out of all I have ever studied. I’m happy to say that I came out with a distinction in my drama which is what I was hoping for in other modules I got through with just a pass, but at least I got my BTEC National Diploma In Performing Arts.

 

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