Acting

Higher Education students can expect the majority of classes to fall any time between 8:30 am and 6:30pm, Monday to Friday. The timetable for Higher Education programs will be finalised when offers are made.

The School of Education and Arts, Arts Academy at the University of Ballarat, Camp Street Campus offers a three-year full-time Bachelor of Arts in Acting. A three-year full-time Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre is also offered.

The Acting degree offers focused theatre study, allowing the student to develop skills and gain the techniques needed to become a professional actor. Classes are taught by respected artists and teachers, ensuring that the perspective gained by emerging performers is relevant, rigorous and contemporary.

The student is encouraged to explore existing repertoire and new work. The course is underpinned by a philosophy of blending practice with theory, incorporating workshops, rehearsal and research. Subjects include: Voice, Dance, Acting (for theatre and film), Performance Studio and Critical Studies. Studio and public performances occur at each level of the program.

Graduates may work in established theatre companies, playing roles in film and television, developing self-generated work, voice over corporate videos, issue-based theatre and teaching. If teaching is a career option, a sequence of four dance courses, undertaken as part of the degree program form the basis of a 2nd discipline for Drama / Dance teaching entry into an education program or teaching qualification.

Applicants are selected by audition and the audition process is managed separately to the VTAC process. Applicants must obtain the following document Audition Requirements for Bachelor of Arts (Acting) (291kb) and complete the following Application for Audition form (148kb) or by contacting the Arts Academy.

Applications must be submitted by Friday 5th October 2012. Late applicants after Monday 8th October 2012, must telephone (03) 5327 8608 or email info@ballarat.edu.au before applying. A late fee may apply.

Completed forms should be returned to the School of Education and Arts, Arts Academy. Upon receipt of the completed form, together with a $60.00 audition fee, the School of Education and Arts, Arts Academy will advise applicants of an audition time and anything they are required to bring to the audition. Auditions are usually held in late November.

If auditioning for both Acting and Music Theatre programs, an audition fee of $100.00 will apply. Auditions are conducted in Ballarat and Melbourne, and selected cities interstate. Applicants who fail to carry out these requirements may not be considered for selection. Late applicants must telephone or email artsinfo@ballarat.edu.au before applying. You may call (03) 5327 8606 for further information.

If international students are unable to attend the audition they must forward a DVD of their recent works for consideration of the Selection Panel.

This program is nationally recognised within the Performing Arts Industry.

Non-compulsory fees may apply to this program.

Other study costs apply such as accommodation and living costs, material fees, etc., Please contact International Student Programs for more information (see contact information below).

Q. What level of commitment do we expect? A. We are looking for evidence of performing talent. But we are also looking for the potential to be trained in a highly demanding discipline. A good work ethic is imperative. You need to prepare your monologues and songs well, and should you gain a place at the Academy, be prepared to work hard and intensively with a small and passionate group of fellow artists. Good attendance is compulsory. Preparation is required. Strict deadlines are always a feature of the work. Physical fitness and flexibility are needed at all levels of the course, and there is an emphasis on the habits of good health and self-discipline.

Q. Do I need to have a lot of experience to get in to the Academy? A. For both the Acting and Music Theatre Programmes whilst a good training in one, or more, of the main disciplines of acting, singing, dance and voice is going to be an advantage, we are really looking for someone who has put time and effort into their preparation, has an understanding of how a text works, has a healthy and fit mind, body and voice. Remember, we are looking for ability, evidence of adequate preparation, but also a willingness to get in and have a go!

Q. How should candidates prepare? A. For Acting, it is important to learn the speech thoroughly. But preparation is more than just a recitation of the words. Read the plays that contain the monologues, so that you can better understand the character and the context for the speech: who they're saying it to; why they're saying it; then work out how you want to do it: your interpretation.

For MT, know your songs and its context. Practice these with live accompaniment. Candidates should bring legible copies of their music already marked up for our accompanist and in the correct key. You may bring your own accompanist. All candidates should be dressed neatly with closed footwear. Jeans, belts and excessive jewellery are not appropriate. Dancewear or equivalent will be required for the Call-back.

Q. Is it possible to audition for both programmes? A. Yes.

Q. Do we accept deferrals? A. No. In such a physically and mentally demanding environment, candidates are selected on their current fitness and health. A person who turns down an offer is encouraged to re-audition. Many people get in on their second try.

Q. Can I perform in amateur Plays/Musicals once I become an Arts Academy Student?A. No. You need to focus on consistent training at the Arts Academy

School of Education and Arts (Ref 08606)

Tel: 5327 8000
Freecall: 1800 811 711
Email: info@ballarat.edu.au
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/schools/education-and-arts/arts-academy

International students must meet basic entry requirements as under:
- Academic entry requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of the proposed commencement of studies.
OR
- Mature age entry.

Overall IELTS band score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent.

International students must meet the following basic entry requirements (see below):

• Academic entry requirements

• English language entry requirements

• At least 18 years of age at the time of the student's proposed commencement of studies at the university

In addition to the written application, applicants must supply a DVD of audition material prepared according to the audition requirements stated on the School of Education and Arts website.

Entry is by audition based on talent. For audition requirements please refer to website: guerin.ballarat.edu.au/ard/artsacademy/perf_arts_prospective/index.shtml.
The application should be returned to the Arts Academy by mid October. Upon receipt of the completed form, together with a $60.00 audition fee, the Arts Academy will advise applicants of an audition time for November/December. Applicants who fail to carry out these requirements may not be considered for selection. Late applicants must telephone or email artsinfo@ballarat.edu.au before applying. You may call (03) 5327 8606 for further information.

This program is nationally recognised within the Performing Arts Industry.

Other study costs apply such as accommodation and living costs, material fees, etc., Please contact International Student Programs for more information (see contact information below).

Learning will take place in lectures, workshops, tutorials, rehearsals, performance projects and students' private study time. Units in Acting, Voice, Dance and critical Studies will be delivered in terms of knowledge and skills acquisition (classwork) and knowledge and skills application (theatre performance studios). The number of rehearsal and performance hours will depend on the role in which the student is cast for a particular project or the extent of other theatre project work.

Q. What level of commitment do we expect? A. We are looking for evidence of performing talent. But we are also looking for the potential to be trained in a highly demanding discipline. A good work ethic is imperative. You need to prepare your monologues and songs well, and should you gain a place at the Academy, be prepared to work hard and intensively with a small and passionate group of fellow artists. Good attendance is compulsory. Preparation is required. Strict deadlines are always a feature of the work. Physical fitness and flexibility are needed at all levels of the course, and there is an emphasis on the habits of good health and self-discipline.

Q. Do I need to have a lot of experience to get in to the Academy? A. For both the Acting and Music Theatre Programmes whilst a good training in one, or more, of the main disciplines of acting, singing, dance and voice is going to be an advantage, we are really looking for someone who has put time and effort into their preparation, has an understanding of how a text works, has a healthy and fit mind, body and voice. Remember, we are looking for ability, evidence of adequate preparation, but also a willingness to get in and have a go!

Q. How should candidates prepare? A. For Acting, it is important to learn the speech thoroughly. But preparation is more than just a recitation of the words. Read the plays that contain the monologues, so that you can better understand the character and the context for the speech: who they're saying it to; why they're saying it; then work out how you want to do it: your interpretation.

For MT, know your songs and its context. Practice these with live accompaniment. Candidates should bring legible copies of their music already marked up for our accompanist and in the correct key. You may bring your own accompanist. All candidates should be dressed neatly with closed footwear. Jeans, belts and excessive jewellery are not appropriate. Dancewear or equivalent will be required for the Call-back.

Q. Is it possible to audition for both programmes? A. Yes.

Q. Do we accept deferrals? A. No. In such a physically and mentally demanding environment, candidates are selected on their current fitness and health. A person who turns down an offer is encouraged to re-audition. Many people get in on their second try.

Q. Can I perform in amateur Plays/Musicals once I become an Arts Academy Student?A. No. You need to focus on consistent training at the Arts Academy

School of Education and Arts (Ref 08606)