Topic outline

  • General

    Collapse all Expand all

    • Performing Arts

    • In this Performing Arts taster course you will complete the following.

      Introduction
      Video

      Summary

      Extended Reading


    • Introduction

    • Gower College Swansea’s Performing Arts department are really excited to be welcoming you!

      While completing your Performing Arts course you will have weekly skills sessions in acting, singing, dance, design and skills. In addition to your performance skill sessions you will also work towards performance material during project time. The course will give you an opportunity to develop a range of performance skills as well as personal skills such as self esteem, confidence, digital literacy, communication and problem solving. You will fully engage in research, rehearsals and performance work as well as gain knowledge on the ‘behind the scenes’ of theatre performance. This is an exciting introduction into Performing Arts with possible future progression onto the Level 3 Performing Arts. 

      Before you start in September here are some research tasks that you could complete in preparation for your start with us. The tasks given will provide you with an opportunity to engage in developing your knowledge on Performing Arts and all the disciplines of acting, singing, dance and design. We hope you enjoy what’s been suggested and we look forward to welcoming you soon. 


    • Video

    • To begin with have a look at the BBC’s The Shows Must Go On YouTube Channel.

      Take some time and have a look through the process of getting a production onto the stage.  A professional take about the productions, how they’ve evolved and the barriers they have overcome to create some truly magnificent productions. 

      Task One: Acting - Watch a performance work by Frantic Assembly. My suggested watches would be: Things I Know to be True , Lovesong and Othello.

      Task Two: Research - Find information about the company Frantic Assembly.  Look at: The history of the company,  the Artistic Directors of the company, the influences for the performance work. You should also make a list of all of the performance works, making a note of the style of the work.  


      Careers in the Performing Arts 

      Now have a look at the following YouTube videos that profile a variety of different careers in the Performing Arts.

    • Video #1: General Introduction to Jobs in the Performing Arts

      READ College Outreach officer Amelia Stevenson, shares some first hand knowledge and information aimed at young people looking to start a career in the Performing Arts. Join us for the next five Wednesday's as we help you navigate through the world of Theatre training with top tips, tricks and advice including how to choose a drama school along with details of our own 'Access To The Arts' bursaries providing you with some financial support to help you follow your dreams!. 

    • Video #2: Choreographer

      What does it take to be a Dancer and Choreographer in the Creative Arts industry? Jonny takes us behind the scenes in a dance studio in Belfast. 

    • Video #3: Costume Designer 

      Emilio Sosa knows his fabrics. He likes diving into research. He’s adept at collaborating with everyone from tailors and sewers to directors like George C. Wolfe and Phylicia Rashad. He’s got an incredible eye for design...and he stays cool under pressure. In our latest Working in Theatre video, Sosa, who most recently worked with Center Theatre Group on August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, talks about what it takes to become a costume designer in theatre, how he got his start, and his first big break. 

    • Video #4: Stage Manager  

      In the latest installment of our Working in Theatre web series, Jereme Kyle Lewis offers us a glimpse into the organized chaos that is stage management. Jereme deftly shows us how stage managers keep a production together, including pre-production paperwork, putting in light cues, “playing the parent” to actors, and making sure the director’s vision is maintained throughout the run of a show. All this work turned out to be a perfect fit with Jereme’s organized personality. He also invites us to follow him backstage and see him working in action during the Ahmanson Theatre production of The Trip to Bountiful. 

    • Video #5: Acting (Part 1)

      Is it Necessary for Actors to Study Acting? We asked Ruth Negga, Lily Collins, Tom Hiddleston, Viggo Mortensen, Riz Ahmed, Joel Edgerton, John Lithgow, Claire Foy, Bryce Dallas Howard, Caitriona Balfe, Andrew Garfield and Aaron Taylor-Johnson whether it's necessary for actors to study acting before entering the profession. Many of them said both yes and no. 

    • Video #6: Acting (Part 2)

      Is it Necessary for Actors to Study Acting?  We asked Ruth Negga, Lily Collins, Tom Hiddleston, Viggo Mortensen, Riz Ahmed, Joel Edgerton, John Lithgow, Claire Foy, Bryce Dallas Howard, Caitriona Balfe, Andrew Garfield and Hailee Steinfeld whether it's necessary for actors to study acting before entering the profession. Many of them said both yes and no. 

    • Video #7: The Voice (Part 1)

      It goes without saying the the voice is a really important tool in performing arts, but how does it work?  Watch the following YouTube video which will explain the anatomy and function of the voice. Have you ever wondered how the human voice works? We’ve all got one, but because it’s located inside your neck, it’s difficult to get to, making it virtually impossible to directly see and feel. When singing teachers and vocal coaches work with the student's voice they often approach it as one whole system that is made up of four components: The Actuator, the Vibrator, the Resonator and the Articulators. Every developing singer aims to coordinate the four components of the voice so that each plays its role in perfect synergy with the other three components.  

    • Video #8: The Voice (Part 2)

      Knowing the singing basics and how the vocal cords work opens a world of understanding to singers. This video explains how do vocal cords work generally, how do vocal cords work to produce sound when you sing, watch how do vocal cords work video to see them live. Watch here to see how do vocal cords work when you sing.  

      You might want to consider the following things to improve your voice and your techniques: 

      • What to do daily to use and improve your voice. 

      • Identify tension spots in your body and determine which lifestyle factors may be negatively impacting your voice. For example, your neck could be sore. Focus on releasing that first. 

    • Video #9: Daily Vocal Exercises

      Daily vocal exercises to reduce effort in tongue, lips, jaw & larynx. Have a go at some of these at home:

      Tongue rolls: move your tongue around every tooth. Tip of the tongue behind top teeth and open and close jaw without moving the tongue. Practice unvoiced and then add a Siren while doing it; the Youtube video opposite will show you what to do in more detail.

      This video will show you a simple yet incredible effective vocal exercise, that you can not only use it as a warm up before singing, but also as a great vocal 'wake up' tool. This exercise isn't just for singers but for ANYONE whose job involved a lot of speaking (call centres, teachers etc). Great for warming up the voice, cooling down, and waking it up! Put it in your vocal warm up routine if it's not already in there and let me know what you think!  

    • Video #10: Vocal Posture and Balance

      Here are some great tips to help you with your vocal posture and balance. Many Voice Teachers talk about the importance of posture, balance, and the position of the feet during singing. In our latest adventure, Justin Stoney of New York Vocal Coaching explores vocal posture while riding the NYC Subway! Learn new ways to balance your alignment, your feet, and your soul. Enjoy Quick Singing Tips! 

    • Video #11: Daily Warm Ups

      Daily physical warm up including joint openers, light stretches and exercises to help find good posture. Star jumps to get moving. Physical warm up may help with tension as mentioned above. Physical warm ups will also reduce vocal effort. Have a look at the YouTube video opposite for some really good stretching and warming up activities, maybe you can try these at home! Certified Pilates Instructor Susanne walks Aaron through the Roll Down Technique 

    • Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella: Matthew Bourne re-imagines classic stories and ballets for his works and includes use of mime & gesture, ballet, contemporary, social dance forms, humour, emotive universal themes and extravagant/ engaging set designs. Bourne’s Cinderella does all of this through a thrilling and evocative love story, set in London during the Second World War. His interpretation of the classic fairy tale has, at its heart, a true war-time romance. A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz. 

      While watching this performance briefly think about on the following:

          • Movement content: Types of action. How is the space used? What relationship do the dancers have to one another? 
          • Physical setting: Lighting, props, staging, scenery, set design, projection.
          • Aural setting: The accompaniment – what type of music is used?
          • Genre/style of dance: Contemporary, jazz, ballet, modern, street, musical, ballroom/social dance, physical theatre, circus skills.
          • Choreographic intent: Do you think the piece is: narrative (tells a story) or abstract? 

    • Summary

    • Thank you for completing this introduction to Performing Art. We really hope you’ve enjoyed looking at some of areas and techniques you will study when you join us!  We’re really looking forward to meeting you all! 

    • Extended Reading
    • If you would like to know more about the performing arts have a look at these websites:


    • Here are some videos that might interest you from GCS TV.