Detailed Course Guidance

Blackpool Theatre Collective is run by Carl Walker and Ian Meeson.

There will be guest teachers throughout the course. 

Having returned to Blackpool from London and Birmingham Carl and Ian have travelled extensively as Industry Professionals in Film, TV, West End Musicals and recording, and have taught for over twenty years. Their students to date now appear all over the World in TV, musicals, cruise/commercial work, theme parks, holiday parks, as stage crew, and entertainment hosts. Carl and Ian are both Examiners with the International Dance Teachers Association, have written books, musicals, and International syllabi. Their vocational college contacts, Professional industry contacts, and agency contacts are huge, but their true love is providing a platform for young people as they journey to their Professional life path.

Showbusiness is huge, and there are many avenues. Most students initiate through performance, however their careers can take them on journey’s they didn’t even realise - 

Examples of Career Areas

Performance in TV, Plays, Social Hosting, School Performance Companies, Cruise Ship Entertainment Hosting, Performance Arts Teaching, Performance Centre Managing, Holiday and Leisure Park Teams, Film Actors, Musical Theatre Performers, Stage Crew, Wig Departments, Make Up Departments, Sound and Lighting, Writing, Show Producing, Music Production, Marketing.

Approach to The Course 

Blackpool Theatre Collective is a ‘team work’ environment.

Students are part of a ‘Production Team’ and we are there to support one another and have a great experience.

• Blackpool Theatre Collective aim to deliver technique, enrichment and experience. 

• Respect for one another, staff, and any venue is the most important aspect of our training system. 

• The way in which students behave outside in close proximity to any venue we work in is also of upmost importance. 

• Staff and Guests are not referred to on first name terms, unless requested.

• Care of personal image, and cleanliness, is also required. 

• Manners, warmth, and energy are priority when meeting anyone throughout the day.

• The academic evidence work for the BTEC qualification is concise and clear.

Individual log books are respected and approached with care. 

Training (varies for  individual courses)

Year 1

Emphasis in year one of the BTEC course is on technique, and learning from watching others. 

Vocal technique basics and habilitation will be taught along with sessions in harmonising towards public performances. Acting through script work and technical exercises will also be explored in group work. Students will be put into break out groups to work more individually on vocal and acting ability. Varied choreographic styles will be explored and regardless of standard will be explained for the students to understand and work towards. Performances will be rehearsed to perfection. Emphasis here will be on how to adapt to varied performance environments, not just a proscenium theatre. The students will also be involved in the creation of performance. Trips away for experience and research will also take place in year 1. The BTEC qualification requires written work which will be based on documenting the training, researching industry professionals or styles, and performance in the community. We will also be learning about other areas of show business from backstage to production. Log books will be constructed by the students for their own reflection and may be assessed as part of the qualification. Occasionally there will be guest lecturers from the industry and guests will also assist the staff when the pupils are assessed throughout the course. BTEC Modules are worked on in a course work structure throughout. 

Year 2

Voice and Acting technical processes will now be instilled and students will be required to explain these clearly. Sheet music and pianist instruction will be worked on and perfected now. Acting monologue choices will have been researched including the style, era, and writer. Students will have filed audition repertoire in preparation for college, university or industry auditions. The public performances will be of Professional quality. Personal assessments will continue. Students will now be required to think on their feet and perform monologues and songs for one another in preparation for auditions, and to critique encouragingly both their own work and others. They will also perform and respond to questioning from guest industry teachers. Work on public engagement and relaxed varied conversation will be at the forefront. The students do not only represent themselves here, but also Blackpool Theatre Collective. The second years will meet and work with the first years to discuss and encourage in a Professional team environment. BTEC Modules continue to be worked on in a course work structure throughout. 

Dress Code

Our students represent the college aswell as themselves at all times. 

Students will be required to wear any practical. clothing which they can move easily in black, white and grey is the colour scheme.. 

This should be neat and plain, and baggier layers should be removed for safety in choreography.

Neat, small trainers / pumps are required. 

The clothing should always be clean, neat, and maintained.

Students hair should be clean, neat, and will be required to be off the face for choreography.

Make-Up is allowed for any student and will be encouraged for assessments, displays, performances, guest lectures etc.

At times students will be required to bring in different items of clothing and shoes in preparation for performance or assessment.

We will always give students time to obtain these resources and understand the budget restrictions here. 

Venue

Blackpool Theatre Collective Training Studio

Unit 1B Bickerstaffe Square, Talbot Road, Talbot Gateway, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 3AH.

In the heart of a buzzing square in Blackpool town centre, opposite the railway station. There are shops, restaurants and a tram and bus stop. 

The venue is of open plan format.

There is a bag store for coats and bags.

A large mirrored studio which also doubles as a student relaxation area, and class room.

A small studio for small group training and recording.

Two toilets for anyone to use. 

Policies 

Blackpool Theatre Collective is provided by SCL Creative Education College.

They monitor and guide us through our process, and take care of all additional needs and issues outside the BTEC theatrical skills and written work. 

Safeguarding and Pastoral (see separate tab for more information).

Principals Carl and Ian pride themselves with a history of happy pupils and students throughout their vast experience as teachers, mentors, and Examiners.

The environment in which we teach is one of kindness and support.

Our small intake of students assists personal monitoring extremely well. 

We are a small team, a Professional company, we look after one another. 

The venue assists this by being one large studio with private coaching room and green room in open plan layout.

The principals will always be on site.

All guests and teachers will be supervised. 

Our green room houses a compassion board which assists students understanding of various mental health issues and situations. 

Regular open talks evolve throughout the acting training which also assist here. 

Student and principal conversations are available at any point. 

Parent conversations are available at any point. 

Referral to more expertise help will be advised through parent conversations if necessary. 

Confidentiality is paramount.

Parents will be invited to several events throughout the course where it will be feasible to liaise with the principals. 

Although we have a disciplined training ethic which mirrors the discipline required for the industry, we respect human compassion and understand possible student difficulties as a given. 

Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated and following parent conversations, should this not resolve then the cause will be required to leave the course. 

We try to carve a niche for each student, this is extremely helpful in encouraging respect from others. We are all unique. 

SCL Creative who are our education providers have a weekly one to one with the principals and there, anything can be discussed. 

SCL Creative hold all safeguarding and pastoral policies. 

Principals are first aid trained.

The venue health and safety is monitored by Blackpool Council.

Risk Assessments are in place. 

We are monitored by ofsted. 

Staff are all enhanced DBS checked. 

Qualification

Extended Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Performing Arts, presented after two years training.

Students must gain their Maths and English GCSE’s to qualify for BTEC. 

Should a student fail these two examinations then SCL Creative can facilitate re takes, but students may miss extra college activities due to study time. 

Behavior

Students should be respectful at all times, Carl Walker and Ian Meeson are in charge of the college advised by their advisory board.

They liaise with parents to find a way moving forward should any issues arise. 

Misbehaviour of any kind is not tolerated.