Level 3 Acting & Musical Theatre

This course offers students the opportunity to develop their skills in both acting and musical theatre. Each year, students will take part in four creative projects, allowing them to explore and refine their abilities in acting, singing, and dance. The curriculum is designed to support growth not only in performance but also in academic and industry-related skills and standards.

Two of the annual projects are full-scale productions — typically a Christmas pantomime and a musical theatre performance at the end of the academic year. This is a fast-paced and demanding course, ideal for students who are ready to commit fully and rise to the challenge.

Whether you dream of performing on stage or inspiring others through teaching, this dynamic course is designed to help you unlock your potential and launch a fulfilling career in the fast-paced world of performing arts.

Ideal for those aspiring to become actors, directors, or drama teachers in community or educational settings, the course also supports students interested in developing their own creative ventures. Our graduates have gone on to establish drama schools, teach in schools and colleges, or perform professionally on television, in theatre, and on cruise ships.

You will enhance your creative, performance, and technical skills, while also developing essential audition techniques to prepare you for both university-level study and employment within the performing arts industry.
Rather than focusing on exams, the course emphasises practical learning and performance. All theory is directly linked to the live projects and productions you’ll be involved in, ensuring a hands-on and immersive experience.

This course is designed to further develop your creativity in acting, voice, and movement. With a strong vocational focus, it aims to equip you with the core skills needed for a successful career in the performing arts industry. These include practical performance techniques, audition preparation, marketing yourself as a performer, professional etiquette, communication, and collaborative approaches to performance.

You’ll explore a wide range of theatre genres, engage in reflective critique and peer assessment, and build valuable research skills. Throughout the year, you’ll also have the opportunity to participate in at least four live performances.

In addition, you will gain hands-on experience in production elements such as costume and set design, as well as lighting for performance.

After successfully completing this course, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to progress into employment or further/higher education. You may choose to continue developing your expertise by enrolling on our Level 4 Foundation course, or you might decide to apply for a performing arts-related degree at a university or drama school.

Warrington & Vale Royal College is committed to developing your employability and deepening your understanding of the performing arts industry. As part of your course, you will engage in guest workshops led by industry professionals and take part in live performance projects for local community groups and organisations.

Through our Advanced Creative & Digital Skills Academy, you will collaborate with a range of external agencies to broaden your experience and insight into the sector. Our expert tutors maintain strong industry connections, providing access to valuable work experience opportunities and the chance to network with professionals in the field.

Students will also take part in industry placements scheduled on days when they are not timetabled to be in college. Additionally, students will be expected to participate in evening performances, which will take place outside of regular class hours.

You will be allocated a progress coach who will provide you with support to help you succeed on your study programme and progress on to your chosen career or progression path. We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if required, as well as a Welfare Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed. 

Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help them during their time at college.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support

Throughout your course, you will be taught in our Advanced Creative & Digital Skills by highly skilled staff with specialisms in acting, dance, and singing. Our tutors have strong industry connections and continue to work professionally within the sector, providing you with real-world insight and the benefit of their extensive experience.

You will train in a variety of excellent performing arts facilities, including a fully equipped theatre featuring a sprung floor, professional staging, lighting, and sound systems. The course places a strong emphasis on developing, rehearsing, and performing a diverse range of showcases throughout the year, both on campus and at external venues.

We are proud to have a partnership with the Liverpool Empire, offering students the chance to participate in professional workshops and behind-the-scenes visits. In addition, you’ll take part in enriching theatre trips and other cultural experiences throughout the year, helping to broaden your understanding of the industry.

The Performing Arts department is also proud to deliver this qualification in collaboration with the University of the Arts London, the awarding body for the course.

You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and/or maths, or you will have need to have successfully completed the Level 2 Performing Arts course with at least a merit grade. If you have not already achieved a grade 4 in your either your GCSE English or maths, you will be required to work towards this as part of your study programme.

Are there any additional costs associated with the course? As a student on this course, you will be expected to provide your own costumes for performances and wear appropriate black clothing for lessons (such as a black t-shirt, leggings or jogging bottoms, and a hoody or jumper). You will also need to supply your own basic equipment, including notebooks, folders, and pens.

In addition, students are responsible for covering the cost of transport to external events and theatre visits, as well as purchasing their own theatre tickets.