The Broadway Academy of Performing Arts is suitable for children with an interest in the performance or theatre industry. For some it will inspire a lifelong love of the stage whilst for others it may well lead to a career in some aspect of the industry.

In addition, the Broadway Academy of Performing Arts will serve to promote confidence and creativity and an ability to communicate with others. Also musical theatre explores the human condition and, consequently, is a great vehicle for developing empathy and compassion.

The exploration of the inner-self is at the heart of many musicals and here at Rossall we believe that performing arts provide a context within which children may meaningfully explore all aspects of what it means to be human.

Above all, this work is designed to be fun. While also developing the ability to creatively share with one another and to laugh and grow together in pursuit of excellence.

We will launch the BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Performing Arts, the equivalent of two A levels. Students will develop technical and performance skills in dancing, singing and acting.

It provides an excellent preparation for those seeking to apply for performance related courses at drama schools, music conservatoires and universities.

It is an attractive route for those wishing for a career on the stage but it also provides for those seeking to work elsewhere in the industry.

Students study six mandatory units covering the following:

• Investigating Practitioners’ Work.
• Group Performance Workshop.
• Individual Performance.
• Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance.
• Performing Arts in the Community.
• Final Live Performance to an Audience.

Students choose two optional units, which have been designed to support progression to the range of sector-related courses in Higher Education, and also to link with relevant occupational areas. The optional units cover content areas such as:

• Acting
• Dancing
• Musical Theatre

Potential degree courses include BA (Hons) in:

• Music, Theatre and Entertainment Management.
• Theatre and Screen: Theatre Design.
• Drama and Event Management.
• Creative Writing/Dance, Scriptwriting and Performance, if taken alongside an A Level in English Literature.
• Dance and Movement Studies and History, if taken alongside an A Level in History.

The Broadway Academy of Performing Arts will focus upon dance and musical theatre. It will be divided into three distinctive sections

• Preparatory
• Intermediate
• Senior

Each section will run two sessions a week (during activity time) and will contain lessons and workshops relating directly to acting, dance and musical theatre.

This will be complemented by a Saturday morning academy which will run from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. This aspect of the Academy will be open to external students.

Also each section will produce performance showcases at least once every half term. With these major productions will bring together performers from all sections of the Academy and will take place once or twice a year.

In recent years, musicals performed at Rossall have included Les Misérables, Anything Goes and, most recently, West Side Story. In the fullness of time, we intend to take productions on tour.

Moreover, preparation for LAMDA exams will be provided within the context of the Academy and children will also have the opportunity to prepare for the ABRSM ‘Singing for Musical Theatre’ examinations.

Children will be introduced to ballet, tap, hip hop and street dance. Dance provides an excellent opportunity for children to develop their ability to work as part of a team. Physical literacy and musical movement skills are essential within the context of musical theatre.