Performing Arts students have the opportunity to explore a range of core skills including dance, music, drama, musical theatre, prop and scenery making.
Whatever your interest, there will be a role for you to take part in on our Performing Arts pathway.
Were you born to perform?
Performing Arts pathway students, at our Gobowen campus, have the opportunity to explore a range of core skills. These include dance and movement, script work, theatre in education, prop and scenery making and much more. Whatever your interest, there will be a role for you to take part and have fun with.
Twice a year, students perform a show to members of the public and members of the college. These shows are always spectacular, and showcase students’ talents whether it be on or behind the stage.
Develop your skills
Our students develop and enhance a range of skills such as:
- creative interests
- imagination
- problem solving
- open mindedness
- confidence
- communication skills.
Internal work experience
As a Performing Arts student, your internal work experience might include:
Derwen On Tour
…or DOT as we call it – delivers Makaton sign, song and dance performances and workshops. They perform at special events around college, or at external events such as the local Llangollen Eisteddfod.
The group works together to create and develop appropriate workshop activities in line with the target audience’s request. DOT rehearses regularly, in preparation for a live performance, showcasing their sign, song and dance work.
DC Theatre
… our Theatre in Education performance group. DC Theatre creates educational theatre that portrays a particular message, or to raise awareness around a specific topic. Past themes have been around topics such as bullying, recycling and kindness. The finished interactive piece is performed with Makaton sign and song, along with educational facts and figures and workshop activities.
DC Theatre works together to gather information and develop a script. They create and source props, scenery and costume to support their Theatre in Education activities. These performances/workshops are performed internally to educate learners across other pathways.
Derwen Dance Crew
… (also known as DDC) is a street dance group that trains each week. They learn set street dance choreography to compete in a range of competitions both internally and externally. DDC regularly competes at Audacity Street championships, a national street dance competition.
DDC uses street dance skills to hone their talent in locking, popping, house, commercial and hip-hop. Through these performances they develop specific performance skills such as team work, confidence, time management, coordination and professionalism.
Theatre and Backstage Production
… allows our students to develop a professional experience of the work that goes on before, during and after a performance. Students work on designing, developing and creating a range of production ideas. These can include costume, make up, scenery and prop making, as well as how to promote a performing arts event. Students liaise with the show director to plan and make contributions to the backstage elements of a theatre production.
External work experience
External work experience opportunities include local playgroups and theatres, other external workshops, and bespoke projects.
Some of our aspiring actors apply to continue their performing art studies after college. Options include inclusive theatre training programmes such as Hijinx and Chickenshed.
Linking with other pathways
Performing Arts students can have a link vocational pathway. Link pathways help to increase students’ range of skills into other work areas, whilst continuing their performing arts aspirations.
“Although I think I was born to perform, I have learnt that it’s always good to have a plan B. I’ve been doing a little bit of work in Retail and Enterprise just to broaden my skills set. I still want to be a Dance Teacher Assistant but I could also work in a shop or a café now.” Amy
Where to see us
You can see Derwen College Performing Arts students at various events and competitions throughout the year. Here are some of our upcoming events:
2024
- DOT performing 21 November at Oswestry Christmas Lights Switch On.
If you would like DOT or DDC to perform at your event, please contact Jessie Vaughan on 01691 661234 ext 358. You can also email your interest to jessie.vaughan@derwen.ac.uk