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Bachelor of Dramatic Art
Duration: 3 years full-time/6 years part-time
Credit Points: 144 credit points
Delivery: On campus
Available to: Domestic (FEE-HELP available)/International
English: IELTS 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0)
CRICOS Code: 054987E
Tuition Fee: International students: $11,130 semester/$66,782 total tuition fee
AQF: Level 7
Associate Degree of Dramatic Art
Duration: 2 years full-time/4 years part-time
Credit Points: 96 credit points
Delivery: On campus
Available to: Domestic (FEE-HELP available)/International
English: IELTS 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0)
CRICOS Code: 081416E
Tuition Fee: International students: $11,130 semester/$44,521 total tuition fee
AQF: Level 6
Course overview
The Bachelor of Dramatic Art is predicated on the understanding that the professional will commonly engage in ‘portfolio’ careers requiring versatile, flexible and adaptable skills, including: performing, stage managing, operations, producing, directing, teaching and researching. Using these skills (and, in some cases, with further study) our current graduates have secured, and future graduates are expected to secure, employment at entry level as:
- • Actor
- • Director
- • Stage manager
- • Production manager
- • Theatre technician
- • Writer
- • Producer
- • Dramaturg
- • Festival director
- • Voice over artist
- • Production assistant (TV and film)
- • Art department assistant (TV and film)
- • Production assistant (TV and film)
- • Drama teacher with further postgraduate qualifications in teaching and researcher
Three Strands
The Bachelor of Dramatic Art is a specialist degree with a holistic approach to theatre training. We seek to integrate higher education with professional development and spiritual formation in a supportive and caring environment. It provides an extensive introduction to all the major aspects of theatre.
The course is offered with three major strands of specialisation, and five minor pathways that students can choose depending on their passion and interests: Performance, Production and Theatre Practice.
Performance Practice
Prepares actors to compete in a highly rigorous industry. Students will get to explore both theoretical and practical perspectives of acting. Throughout their studies, students will be exposed to acting, voice in movement skills as they participate in collaborative shows with their peers, as well as monologues and Shakespeare productions.
Production Practice
Provides the opportunities to supplement students’ passion with the skills, experiences and expertise for a career in theatre, film and television! Our students have collaborated with Michaela Bartonova, renowned international video artist and theatre-maker for a modern retelling of Macbeth.
Theatre Practice
Offers a mixture of performance and production units in one program, enabling the development of well-rounded theatrical skills useful for work in small theatre companies, particularly in the area of theatre producing and directing. Paired with our Master of Teaching, it also satisfies the requirements for secondary Drama teaching.
Potential Students
The course is particularly suited to:
• Those looking for a acting career and the degree to take you there
• Students who want an exposure to a variety of pathways e.g. Acting, Production & Theatre Practice
What do our students say?
‘Studying drama at Excelsia means I am able to pursue all my passions to learn both the acting side of theatre, as well as the backstage side. We learn how to create a piece of theatre, be a director or a stage manager, or even be the designer, whether it be in costume, set or props. There is a chance for anyone who loves theatre to do what they are interested in. Coming into this course I thought I knew what I wanted to do, however now I really want to try everything and I have learned so much in only a year. The lecturers care so much and truly want to help in any way they can. There is also free counselling on site (with a therapy dog). Excelsia is truly a very special place to study, and I’m very excited for the years to come.’
Jessica Looyen
Drama student
Course program
Performance Practice
Performance Practice Year 1
Year 1 Program units
Y1 Semester 1
Acting I
Voice I
Movement I
Story I
Design I
Producing I
Operations I
Formation I (Creative Arts)
Y1 Semester 2
Acting II
Voice II
Movement II
Story II
Design II
Video Production
Formation II (Creative Arts)
Performance Practice Year 2
Year 2 Program units
Y2 Semester 1
Acting III
Voice III
Movement III
Short Plays
Combined Show I
Theatre History I: Reclaiming the Past in the Present
Y2 Semester 2
Acting IV / Shakespeare Tour
Voice IV
Movement IV
Formation III (Creative Arts)
Theatre History II: Exploring What Performance can mean
Performance Practice Year 3 (for bachelor degree only)
Year 3 Program units
Y3 Semester 1
Acting V
Movement V
Voice V
Independent Theatre Making
Combined Show II
Elective I
Y3 Semester 2
Acting VI
Voice VI
Movement VI
Film Project
Formation IV: Designing My Creative Career
Elective II
Production Practice
Year 1 Program units
Y1 Semester 1
Acting I
Voice I
Movement I
Story I
Design I
Producing I
Operations I
Formation I (Creative Arts)
Y1 Semester 2
Acting II
Voice II
Movement II
Story II
Design II
Video Production
Formation II (Creative Arts)
Year 2 Program units
Y2 Semester 1
Mechanical Design
Stage Management I
Short Plays
Combined Show I
Theatre History I: Reclaiming the Past in the Present
Elective I
Y2 Semester 2
Stage Management II
Visual Design
Shakespeare Tour
Formation III (Creative Arts)
Elective II
Elective III
Year 3 Program units
Y3 Semester 1
Technical Design
Project I: Large Scale
Independent Theatre Making
Combined Show II
Theatre History II: Exploring What
Performance can mean
Y3 Semester 2
Project II: Festival
Formation IV: Designing My Creative Career
Film Project
Theatre Project
Elective IV
Theatre Practice
Year 1 Program units
Y1 Semester 1
Acting I
Voice I
Movement I
Story I
Design I
Producing I
Operations I
Formation I (Creative Arts)
Y1 Semester 2
Acting II
Voice II
Movement II
Story II
Design II
Video Production
Formation II (Creative Arts)
Year 2 Program units
Y2 Semester 1
Production Management
Short Plays
Combined Show I
Theatre History I: Reclaiming the
Past in the Present
Elective I
Elective II
Y2 Semester 2
Theatre Company Management
Shakespeare Tour
Formation III (Creative Arts)
Elective III
Elective IV
Elective V
Year 3 Program units (for bachelor degree only)
Y3 Semester 1
Independent Theatre Making
Combined Show II
Producing: Festival Pre-production
Theatre History II: Exploring What
Performance can mean
Elective VI
Y3 Semester 2
Film Project
Producing: Festival Production
Theatre Project
Formation IV: Designing My Creative
Career
Elective VII
For detailed descriptions of course units, please download the Dramatic Art brochure.
Academic staff for dramatic art
Entry requirements
Educational prerequisites
• NSW Higher School Certificate or its interstate or overseas equivalent; or
• Attainment of tertiary qualification, or satisfactory completion of at least one year’s full-time load in a tertiary course.
Artistic and academic skill assessment
Applicants are expected to have some drama performance experience in school, church, community theatre or extras work. Acceptance is by interview and audition. The interview gives applicants opportunity to discuss past performance and/or production experience. The audition determines current and potential acting ability. Assessment criteria for auditions are below.
Audition
Performance applicants should prepare to present two contrasting monologues and participate in an improvisation.
Theatre practice applicants should prepare to present one monologue and a portfolio demonstrating their area of speciality. For example, a design portfolio.
Production applicants should prepare to present a portfolio showcasing two separate areas of specialty. For example, a design portfolio and a director’s book.
An interview is conducted concurrently with the audition. Applicants will discuss their previous experience, personal motivation and aspirations.
Academic skills: In the audition students will be assessed on their literacy through a short test. This determines whether they must participate in a bridging course before the degree starts.
International students
In addition to meeting the educational, artistic and academic prerequisites above, international applicants who have not completed an educational qualification in English have to provide proof of proficiency in English through internationally recognised tests such as IELTS or TOEFL, or through satisfactory completion of an approved course at one of the College’s partner language colleges.
Overseas students applying for admission to Excelsia College courses must have reached the age of 18 years by the commencement of their studies. Excelsia College will not admit overseas students who have not yet reached 18 years of age.
For more information visit the International Student page.
Other applicants
Applicants with work and life experience
Applicants must demonstrate that they have been involved in some form of high level performance or production making for at least 3 years. This could include professional, community and independent work.
Audition
- Performance applicants should prepare to present two contrasting monologues, and participate in an improvisation and warm up exercise.
- Theatre Practice Applicants should prepare to present one monologue and a portfolio demonstrating their area of speciality. For example, a design portfolio, directors book or a script.
- Production applicants should prepare to present a portfolio showcasing two separate areas of specialty. For example, a design portfolio and a directors book.
- Interview: Conducted concurrently with the audition. Applicants will discuss their previous experience, personal motivation and aspirations.
- Academic skills. In the audition students will be assessed on their literacy through a short test. This determines whether they must participate in a bridging course before the degree starts.
Applicants with higher education
Audition
- Performance applicants should prepare to present two contrasting monologues, and participate in an improvisation and warm up.
- Theatre Practice Applicants should prepare to present one monologue and a portfolio demonstrating their area of speciality. For example, a design portfolio, directors book or a script.
- Production applicants should prepare to present a portfolio showcasing two separate areas of specialty. For example, a design portfolio and a directors book.
- Interview: Conducted concurrently with the audition. Applicants will discuss their previous experience, personal motivation and aspirations.
- Academic skills. In the audition students will be assessed on their literacy through a short test. This determines whether they must participate in a bridging course before the degree starts.
Applicants with VET or TAFE studies
Audition
- Performance applicants should prepare to present two contrasting monologues, and participate in an improvisation and warm up exercise.
- Theatre Practice applicants should prepare to present one monologue and a portfolio demonstrating their area of speciality. For example, a design portfolio, directors book or a script.
- Production applicants should prepare to present a portfolio showcasing two separate areas of specialty. For example, a design portfolio and a directors book.
- Interview: Conducted concurrently with the audition. Applicants will discuss their previous experience, personal motivation and aspirations.
- Academic skills. In the audition students will be assessed on their literacy through a short test. This determines whether they must participate in a bridging course before the degree starts.
Credit and recognition of prior learning (RPL)
If the applicant is successful they will be issued an offer letter and a written agreement. Students will need to respond to the offer within 6 weeks. This is done online and a confirmation will be emailed back to the applicant. At this point, applicants are welcome to apply for Credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you are eligible for credit or RPL, you may be exempt from completing some units and you may be able to finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.
Please refer to the Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy reference.
Download the Student Selection and Admission Policy and Procedure.
Excelsia drama students previous productions
Excelsia Dramatic Art Production
15 Videos
The Experience
| Applicant background | 2019 Semester 2 | |
| Number of students | Percentage of all students | |
| (A) Past higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 7 | 15% |
| (B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study | 0 | 0% |
| (C) Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) | 1 | 2% |
(D) Recent secondary education:
| 0 | 0% |
| 0 | 0% |
| 36 | 78% |
| International students | 2 | 4% |
| All students | 46 | 100% |
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