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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: $11,500 semester/$69,000 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: $11,500 semester/$46,000 total tuition fee
AQF: Level 6
Course overview
At Excelsia College, we understand the immense potential of theatre and screen as dynamic avenues for creative expression and profound impact. Our Bachelor of Dramatic Art is meticulously crafted to ignite the spark of creativity and launch graduates into vibrant careers in the arts sector.
Uniquely designed, this program empowers you with a rich blend of practical, theoretical, and entrepreneurial skills essential for success. Our seasoned industry professionals will guide you on a transformative journey, whether your passion lies in production or as an actor. We foster an environment where your creative aspirations flourish, helping you unleash your artistic potential and chart a course towards an exciting career in the performing arts industry.
Career opportunities
Using the 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
• Theatre technician
• Writer
• Producer
• Dramaturg
• Festival director
• Voice over artist
• Art department assistant (TV and film)
• Production assistant (TV and film)
• Drama teacher with further postgraduate qualifications in teaching and research
Practical experience
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Dramatic Art can participate in a study abroad OZ to LA experience. Throughout the program, students will be immersed in the heart of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. OZ to LA offers aspiring actors the opportunity to spend three months in a vibrant and dynamic acting school working with industry experts, renowned Meisner coaches, and directors. Students have opportunities to explore iconic film studios, attend live performances and gain exclusive insight through guest lectures and workshops.
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
Bachelor of Dramatic Art alumnus
Two 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 two major strands of specialisation that students can choose depending on their passion and interests: Performance Practice and Theatre Practice.
In three transformative years, our practical acting program empowers passionate performers for national and global stages and screens. Join a collaborative ensemble of like-minded actors, guided by dedicated teachers and industry pros. Here, creativity flourishes, providing a secure space to hone your craft and master collaboration.
We celebrate your uniqueness as an actor, equipping you with diverse skills in acting, voice, movement, storytelling, and directing. Our dynamic faculty and guest artists offer contemporary industry insights, including immersive exercises, scene work, and multiple live performances.
An extraordinary opportunity awaits if you choose our OZ to LA program, spending 3 months studying screen acting in Hollywood, gaining hands-on knowledge of the film and TV industry. Your final year culminates in a short film and graduation show, showcasing your versatility.
Upon completion, you’ll emerge as a flexible, future-ready artist, equipped for a lifelong career in the dramatic arts.
The Theatre Practice major is a dynamic journey for aspiring theatre-makers. Through this program, you’ll receive comprehensive training in various facets of the dramatic arts, including acting, directing, design, scriptwriting, stage management, and producing.
In the first year, you will explore the foundational aspects of acting, becoming immersed in a variety of techniques and methods. You will also gain introductory insights into a diverse range of theatrical disciplines.
From the second year onwards, our program’s unique flexibility empowers you to follow your passion. You’ll acquire the skills and knowledge needed to craft original works, establish your own theatre companies, and put your creative visions into action through participation in multiple productions.
You will also have the opportunity to engage in industry placements, which provide invaluable real-world experience and foster valuable connections for future employment.
Upon completion, you’ll emerge empowered and equipped to step confidently into the industry – well above industry standards – and ready to make your mark in the arts industry.
Year 1 – Performance
Year 1 Program units
Y1 Semester 1
Acting I
Voice I
Movement I
Story I
Design I
Producing I
Operations I
Formation 1 (Creative Arts)
Y1 Semester 2
Acting II
Voice II
Movement II
Stage Management I
Story II
Theatre History I
Formation 2 (Creative Arts)
Year 2 – Performance
Year 2 Program units
Y2 Semester 1
Acting III
Voice III
Movement III
Directing I
Performance Practice A
Performance Practice B
Y2 Semester 2
Acting IV
Voice IV
Movement IV
Theatre History II
Performance Practice C
Formation 3 (Creative Arts)
Year 3 – Performance (for bachelor degree only)
Year 3 Program units
Y3 Semester 1
Acting V
Voice V
Movement V
Film Project
Performance Practice E
Elective
Y3 Semester 2
Acting VI
Voice VI
Movement VI
Performance Project
Formation 4 (Creative Arts)
Electives
Possible electives for Performance
Scriptwriting
Directing II
Mechanical Design (Props)
Visual Design (Costume and Set)
Technical Design (Lighting and Sound)
Stage Management II
Industry Placement (Oz to LA)
Theatre Company Management
Performance Practice D
Year 1 – Theatre
Year 1 Program units
Y1 Semester 1
Acting I
Voice I
Movement I
Story I
Design I
Producing I
Operations I
Formation 1 (Creative Arts)
Y1 Semester 2
Acting II
Voice II
Movement II
Story II
Stage Management I
Theatre History I
Formation 2 (Creative Arts)
Year 2 – Theatre
Year 2 Program units
Y2 Semester 1
Scriptwriting
Performance Practice A/Production Practice A
Performance Practice B/Production Practice B
Acting III
Directing I
Elective
Y2 Semester 2
Theatre Company Management
Performance Practice C/Production Practice C
Formation 3 (Creative Arts)
Theatre History II
Elective
Elective
Year 3 – Theatre (for bachelor degree only)
Year 3 Program units
Y3 Semester 1
Film Project
Performance Practice E/Production Practice E
Directing II
Elective
Elective
Y3 Semester 2
Theatre Project
Performance Project
Formation 4 (Creative Arts)
Producing II
Electives
Possible electives for Performance
Scriptwriting
Directing II
Mechanical Design (Props)
Visual Design (Costume and Set)
Technical Design (Lighting and Sound)
Stage Management II
Industry Placement (Oz to LA)
Theatre Company Management
Performance Practice D
Academic staff for dramatic art
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 Practice 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.
Interview: An interview is conducted concurrently with the audition. Applicants will discuss their previous experience, personal motivation and aspirations.
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 as IELTS, 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, VET studies, and higher education
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.
Credit and recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Please refer to the credit and RPL policies and procedures in the Admissions Framework.
Excelsia drama students previous productions
Excelsia Dramatic Art Production
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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