PERFORMANCE – ACTOR MUSICIANSHIP

Applications for September 2023 entry open from mid-October - follow us on social media for updates

There is an ever-increasing demand for performers who combine first-rate acting ability with a high level of musicianship.

Mountview's Actor Musician course develops these dual skills to the highest level, creating graduates who combine skills in acting and music in their professional lives.

Whilst a high level of prior musical experience is a pre-requisite, it is not necessary to have achieved formal music qualifications.

There are limited places available each year and students are taught in small groups. Teaching mirrors Mountview's actor training but with specialised music elements and you'll receive over 30 hours of direct teaching time each week including one-to-one singing and instrumental lessons.

The course develops technical skills through workshops and performance opportunities. During the course you'll engage in a range of actor musician projects, working on Shakespeare, contemporary plays, and musicals as well as devising original work. Students engage with a range of classic and contemporary texts for example If You Don't Let Us Dram, We Won't Let You Sleep by Anders Lustgarten, Colder Than Here by Laura Wade, His Dark Materials adaptation by Nicholas Wright, Flora the Red Menace by George Abbott, Kander and Ebb, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris by Mort Shuman and Eric Blau.

Study takes place over three 12-week terms a year.

The first half of each term is devoted to skills classes whilst in the second half of each term you will work on performance projects which are presented in-house to fellow students and staff.

In the second year you apply your skills in collaboration classes which include peer integration and team teaching to enhance your creativity and help you to make connections between subjects. Additionally, there is time given to tailored 'surgeries' to focus on detail and help you to develop your independence and confidence in your practice.

You'll also work closely with Mountview's Industry Liaison Manager to understand and prepare for life as a working actor.

The focus of the third year is film, recorded voice, public performances and reflecting on acting practice. You'll work with professional directors to present a range of productions and an industry showcase and create a voice and film showreel. Audiences include agents, casting directors and other industry figures as well as the general public.

Students must be able to display a high level of proficiency on at least one instrument.  Formal music or academic qualifications are not essential.

Admission onto the course is by audition. Applicants must be aged 18 years or over at the start of the course.

Mountview recognises that talent cannot always be measured by conventional academic achievement and welcomes applications from people without standard entry qualifications. However, one of the following is desirable:

> Five GCSE passes and two A-Levels or
> Four SCE Higher Grade passes
> BTEC National or Higher National Certificate or Diploma with merit grades
> Foundation course
> Access to Higher Education Diploma

Students who receive a Dance and Drama Award (DaDA) will work towards the Trinity College London Diploma in Professional Acting in addition to completing the BA (Hons) in Performance.

If an applicant's first language is not English, and they have not been taught in English or studied to A Level standard in the UK, they will need to demonstrate an acceptable minimum level of competence through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Band 6.5).

Mountview welcomes applications from people with disabilities and is keen to support all applicants to achieve their best. If applicants have any special requirements or access needs, these should be discussed with the course leader/administrator.

Mountview is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for students in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. No applicant will receive less or more favourable treatment on grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, disability, religion and marital/parental status or any comparable grounds.