Bodywork Company One-Year Intensive Course

The Bodywork Company One-Year Intensive Course is an intensive full-time training course aimed at 16- 19yr olds, covering all areas of performing arts subjects and includes the introduction of a new qualification from September 2022:

As a small college Bodywork have always been able recognise individual potential, progress and address specific areas of improvement, enhance strengths and encourage individuality. Bodywork Company is well known and respected throughout the industry and our reputation, along with our close proximity to London, enables the highest quality of training and expertise to be delivered to you.

Student wellbeing and pastoral care is considered paramount in order to help meet the demands of high-level training. The course will enable you to broaden your skills and guided in finding the training pathway that is best for you.

Class numbers remain small, you will be taught, led and supported by industry professionals. Students will be assessed termly and have performance opportunities throughout the year, including a platform to showcase their own work. The college studios are located in the centre of the renowned university city of Cambridge. The majority of students choose this exciting and challenging training course to prepare them for further training.

This is a private course and tuition fees are applicable – Bodywork Fees, Funding & Support (bodyworkcompany.co.uk)

Details

  • Learning Hours: Full time

  • Ages: 16-21yrs

  • Fees: £8,500

Subjects Studied

  • Ballet
  • Jazz
  • Contemporary

  • Commercial

  • Musical Theatre

  • Tap
  • Singing
  • Acting

  • Acting through song

  • Contextual Studies

  • Pilates

  • Fitness

Auditions Information

  • How do I apply for an audition?

Simply complete the application form on the website www.bodyworkcompany.co.uk upload your photos and pay the audition fee by PayPal. We will contact you with audition date by email. Audition criteria is available on request.

  • What qualifications do I need to apply?

Level 6 Diploma Course – previous training in dance & musical theatre is required, all places are offered by audition. Technical knowledge and performance experience would be beneficial. A good standard of education is highly desirable. Maths & English GCSE C/4 or above is desirable, but not essential.

One Year Bodywork Company Intensive Course –ATCL Level 4 Examination – not qualifications are required for this course, but some previous training or knowledge is preferable.

All applicants for both courses must attend an audition, we are offering in person auditions again this year.

  • How long is the audition & what should I expect?

The day will begin at 9.00am and usually finishes around 5.30pm. You will arrive a register at reception; we will take a photo of you, so please ensure you have completed the Photo Consent Form sent previously. You will then partake in a Ballet Class & Jazz Class along with the other candidates. You will then individually perform your prepared dance solo, song solo & monologue. We will inform you of the outcome within 21 days of your audition date.

  • How many students do we accept each year?

Each year we audition hundreds of applicants; by the beginning of term on average 30-40, students commence the Diploma course on the first year. We then split this year group into appropriate levels.

  • Is Bodywork Company an accredited college?

Bodywork Company is an accredited college by ‘Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre’ Training (CDMT), validated by Trinity College, London and we are OFSTED inspected.

  • How many hours will I study each week?

Students study approximately 33-40 hours per week Monday to Friday over 33 weeks. There are occasional rehearsals and performances taking place at weekends and during term breaks, but you will be notified in advance.

  • What areas of performing arts will I study?

All students will be expected to study all areas of the performing arts training during the course to include, dance, singing & acting. Please do not be concerned if you have not had much experience in any of the subjects, our teachers will begin the course by getting to know your strengths and weaknesses.

  • How much written work is needed to complete the Level 6 Diploma course?

Students study History of Dance and Musical Theatre; Anatomy, Fitness, Health & Safety; they also learn to research, evaluate their own work and review the work of others. The written assignments constitute 20% of the final Diploma mark.  Learning Support is provided to any student who requires help. On successful completion of the three-year course students have the opportunity to convert the Diploma to B.A. in one year through a UK University.

  • What qualification will I receive?

If you complete the three-year course, you will receive a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance or Musical Theatre, depending on your options.  Credits gained on either course enable you to top up to a BA Hons after graduation at several universities, via distance or contact learning, which means that it is possible to study whilst working in the UK or abroad

The One Year Bodywork Company Intensive includes the ATCL examination.

  • Is there any funding available for the three-year Level 6 Diploma Course?

Bodywork Company is not currently part of the Dance and Drama Award scheme, there is no alternative government or student finance funding the three-year course and private fees are payable by the student or family –We can offer advice on how to apply for funding through charities. We do offer an internal scholarship program; scholarships means tested, and offered to selected students, the most talented or to lower income families. Any private funding offered by Bodywork Company is at the audition panels’ discretion.

  • How does the college offer support for students throughout their training?

Pastoral care and welfare & study support within the college is very important. The courses can be very demanding both physically and emotionally, we ensure that all students have opportunities to access advice and guidance regularly.

  • Do we provide accommodation?

Bodywork Company can provide a full list of letting agents within Cambridge and we can recommend local areas. The cost varies between £400:00 to £525:00 approximately per month. We do not offer campus accommodation.

  • How many graduate students successfully secure work in the performing arts?

The majority (around 95% annually) of graduates successfully secure work in a wide range of performing jobs, including Musical Theatre, Commercial Dance contracts, Television, Cruise Liners and Acting and Singing work.  We are currently supporting the arts industry via social media groups.

If you have any further questions not covered by this information, please do not hesitate to contact us direct Tel: 01223 314461 or email: sonya.segrave@bodyworkds.co.uk

Bodywork Company welcomes applications from all prospective students regardless of race, religion, colour, nationality, sexual orientation, age, gender or disability. All applications are equally considered at audition, and all candidates will be assessed against the following criteria. If you have any special requirements regarding access to either our printed materials or physical access at audition, please inform us so that we can accommodate your needs.  Every effort is made to fully incorporate students with disabilities into this very physically demanding course whilst always considering their own, and others, safety. Reasonable adjustment will be made to the course and its requirements for those with disabilities.

It is implicit within the audition that potential will be assessed as well as standard on the day as all our audition candidates arrive at audition via a different route.  If you have not experienced a particular discipline before it does not preclude you from consideration as the course offers you the opportunity to develop all your skills.

Below is a brief explanation of what we will be looking for in the audition and what to prepare:

BALLET – you will take part in a class with other prospective candidates

The panel will be looking at:

  • Postural alignment and facility
  • Technical ability and strength – especially in the core
  • Flexibility
  • The ability to assimilate and perform unseen exercises
  • Quality of movement and musicality
  • Performance and artistry

JAZZ – you will take part in a class with other prospective candidates

The panel will be looking at:

  • Postural alignment and facility
  • Technical ability and strength – especially in the core
  • Flexibility
  • The ability to assimilate and perform unseen exercises
  • The use of dynamic movements
  • Quality of movement and musicality
  • Performance and artistry

DANCE SOLO

All candidates must prepare a dance solo which should be no more than 2 minutes in length in any discipline and music should be on CD (Please use CD-R Discs when burning music) or on an IPod or a smart phone.  When considering the dance solo, it is sensible to perform in your strongest dance discipline in order to show us what you do best.  You will be asked to perform this individually to the audition panel.

The panel will be looking at:

  • Postural alignment and facility
  • Technical ability and strength – especially in the core
  • Flexibility – if applicable
  • Clarity of beats – if applicable
  • The use of dynamic movements
  • Quality of movement and musicality
  • Performance and artistry

SINGING

All candidates will participate in a short singing warm up before you perform in front of the audition panel individually. You must prepare a song solo of your choice; musical theatre is the preferred genre for song solos for which PIANO sheet music must be supplied in the correct key.   Do consider your choice – try to select a song that show cases your performance skills as well as your vocal range and ability.

The panel will be looking at:

  • Technique
  • Use of lyric
  • Characterisation and interpretation
  • Diction and enunciation
  • Performance

ACTING

All candidates will participate in a short acting warm up. Please bring a short monologue (2 minutes in length) from a modern play that you have either seen or read. You will be individually asked to deliver & perform this to the audition panel. Choose a character within your age range. You may use an accent if it comes naturally to you. It is essential that you are familiar with the whole play, as you may be asked to improvise in character.

The panel will be looking at:

  • Realisation of character
  • Use of imagination
  • Physical and vocal connection
  • Diction and enunciation
  • Projection

THE AUDITION DAY WILL RUN AS FOLLOWS:

  • IMPORTANT INFO: All candidates MUST bring a Passport or FULL Birth certificate and National Insurance Number on the day. Please note: you may not be able to attend the audition without these documents.
  • Please return the ‘Photo & Video Consent Form’ as the audition panel require your permission to take a photograph & video your solo audition pieces for future reference when allocating places.
  • 08:45 – 09:00

Candidates should arrive and register at reception. We will take a photograph of you for the panel to refer to throughout their decision-making – a Photo & Video Consent Form will be available for you to complete and return prior to your audition.

  • 09:15 – 10:30

All candidates will participate in a Ballet class (no Pointe work)

  • 10:45 – 12:00

All candidates will participate in Jazz class

  • 12:00 – 13:00         –

All candidates will perform their dance solos performed individually in front of the panel

  • 13:00 – 13:30

Lunch break – please provide your own refreshments. There is a selection of shops and cafes within 2 minutes’ walk

  • 13:30 (Approx.)

Parents are welcome to return at for the question and answer session with the Principal.

  • 14:00 – 17:00 –

All candidates will participate in an acting warm-up, a singing warm-up, and may be asked to attend a physical examination/interview.

Ballet: Girls should wear ballet tights, black leotard and ballet shoes. Boys should wear black tights with a white fitted t-shirt and black ballet shoes.  Hair should be groomed appropriately for ballet.

Jazz: Please wear Black tight fitting dance clothes of your choice with jazz shoes or split sole trainers.

Dance Solo: All candidates must prepare a dance solo, it should be no more than 2 minutes in length in any discipline and the music must be on IPod or smart phone.

Singing: All candidates will participate in a short singing warm up. You must prepare a song solo of your choice; musical theatre is the preferred genre for song solos for which piano sheet music must be supplied in the correct key. Backing tracks on CD are NOT permitted. Please ensure your sheet music is taped together.

Acting: All candidates will participate in short an acting warm up. Please bring a short monologue, no more than 2 minutes long, from a modern play that you have either seen or read. Choose a character within your age range. You may use an accent if it comes naturally to you. It is essential that you are familiar with the whole play, as you may be asked to improvise in character.

A map to help you find us is available from our website but please contact us if you would like a copy. If travelling by car, please be aware that traffic coming into the city centre during rush hour can get very congested so leave plenty of time for your journey. There is NO parking at the college, pay and display street parking is available on Glisson Road, but we recommend using the nearest multi storey car ‘The Queen Anne Terrace’ car park, Gonville Place, CB1 1ND, 5 minutes’ walk away from the college. Alternatively, use the Park & Ride services more information from the Cambridge City Council website www.cambridgeparkandride.info

How To Apply

To apply for an audition please complete our Online Application Form. Please ensure you have 2 current photos ready to upload – A passport sized  & one full length in dancewear.  Once submitted you will be required to pay a £45 Audition Fee which you can do through PayPal or using your credit/debit card. We will then contact you by email with further information regarding the video audition requirement and process.

Apply online now
“I joined the Foundation course with very little belief in my potential and can honestly say I enrolled on the course with the expectation I would use the experience as a ‘gap year’ of sorts. After just one term I vastly improved and with the incredible support and teaching from the staff, I went on to the three year course with DaDA funding. After an amazing four years at Bodywork Company, I am thankful to say I signed my first professional contract shortly after leaving and hope there are many more to come!”
Jane Ogilvie, 2013 Graduate