This course focuses on providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to progress to vocational schools or university and ultimately employment. Our course will teach you the technical skills to make your work stand out and give you the knowledge and inspiration and above all confidence to explore your own performance and creative artistic ideas. 

We have a versatile approach, with a focus on making your ideas and creative work unique and industry focused. You will look at a range of disciplines in performing arts such as acting, singing, dance and physical theatre, musical theatre and site-specific performance. There is also a strong emphasis towards creating and devising your own performances.

We have excellent links and enrichment opportunities that allow you to regularly work with visiting theatre and dance companies from across Britain. 

We have two spacious rehearsal dance/performance studios with full lighting rigs, raked seating, mirrors, changing rooms and technical store.

The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts consists of 12 units over two years, which cover for example:

• Principles of performance
• Engaging with an audience
• Preparing for progression
• Developing performance and production skills

This two-year level three performing arts programme includes developing skills in production arts such as lighting, sound and stage management, which is integrated into all performance projects.

Recent performances include:

• Antigone
• Chicago 
• Ganllath o’r Copa
• The Lion, The Witch and The What?
• Macbeth
• Treigl Amser
• Cabaret 
• 1984
• Sweeney Todd
• Hamlet
• Amadeus
• Love, Desire and Need

Graduates from this course at Coleg Ceredigion have furthered their training at some of the following:

Emile Dale Academy, Guildford School of Acting (GSA), Performance Preparation Academy (PPA), Trinity Laban, Chichester University, LIPA, Edge Hill University, Roehampton University, Rose Bruford School of Dramatic Arts, Falmouth University, Bournemouth University, Bath Spa University, Brighton University, Aberystwyth University, De Montfort University, Guildhall School of Music and Drama. 

Learners have now gone on to work with:

Pina Bausch Tanztheatre, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, National Dance Company of Wales (Diversions), National Theatre of Wales, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Arad Goch Theatre. Les Misérables Concert London, Pitch Battle (BBC1), Living Pictures.

Learners have opportunities to volunteer and train with establishments such as Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Theatr Arad Goch and Sbardun Gwreiddiol.

Units are assessed internally. You will also create a Collaborative performance project in year one and a final extended project in year two.

5 GCSEs at grades A*-C, which includes either English language or Welsh (first Language) and maths. Or successful completion of a level two vocational qualification in a relevant subject at merit or above.

All applicants will need to attend a workshop and interview and demonstrate potential and suitability for this course. 

All learners will follow a skills pathway in which they will develop their literacy and numeracy skills for employment. Students who do not yet have the necessary GCSE grades at C or above will have additional teaching and support to study for either GCSE or Essential Skills qualifications depending on prior GCSE grades.

You will need to purchase clothing appropriate for practical work. Further guidelines will be provided at the outset of the course.

All learners are required to pay an administration fee of £25 prior to enrolment.

You will need to provide your own stationary, and may also incur costs if the department arranges educational visits