Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage) is a highly specialised course in acting, designed for contemporary theatre and television industries.

CSU is launching new age Communication and Creative Industries programs from 2014. CSU has always been at the forefront of innovative and cutting edge delivery of communication and creative practices in Australia. The new programs recognise the changing industries and prepare students for the 21st Century and beyond. Current students will have the flexibility to graduate with their existing degrees or transfer to the new programs. More information about the new programs will be available online soon, or you can register an expression of interest.

About the course

Studies in acting, voice, movement and acting for the camera offer a busy practical program to learn the skills a professional performer needs. These skills are then applied to mainstage, studio and theatre productions and are supported with an active program of television productions.

A Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) can also be studied for those who wish to teach drama in schools.

Industry recognition

This course is recognised by the professional guild, the MEAA (Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance) which incorporates what was known as Actors' Equity. Though formal professional accreditation is not required to become an actor, recognition of the course by the MEAA assists the process of our graduates gaining the essential union card, without which they will not be able to gain award-rate contracts for paid employment.

Professionals teaching you professional skills

The course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience. They are committed to the business of theatre and/or television, and are specialists in either acting (camera or stage), voice, or movement. All staff have wide experience in directing, ranging from mainstream to independent, from the classics to contemporary.

A visiting artist program brings professionals of national and international repute to work alongside staff and students, supplementing the skills of the regular staff. Contextual studies are taught by specialists in screen and theatre studies, and students also have regular contact with lecturers from the Television Production course.

Compulsory attendance at an audition/interview in Wagga Wagga

Audition requirements are outlined in the Audition Booklet available here.

Students applying for this course through the Principal's Report Entry Program (PREP), should send a video audition on YouTube by uploading and then emailing the link to khardwick@csu.edu.au and josaunders@csu.edu.au

Please include in the subject heading of the email your name, the word "audition" and the title of your piece. For example: Joan Smith, audition, Dags.

To apply for this course, you need to complete the two additional forms:

• Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage) - Audition Booklet

• Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage) - Audition/Interview Form

The forms can be downloaded by clicking here: Audition Booklet and Audition/Interview Form

The interview request form must be sent to the School of Communication and Creative Industries.

If you are unable to attend the audition in person, you may either:

• send a video audition on DVD.

• send a video audition on YouTube by uploading and then emailing the link to khardwick@csu.edu.au and josaunders@csu.edu.au . Please include in the Subject heading of the email your name, the word audition and the title of your piece. For example:  Joan Smith, Audition, The Kid.

Follow all the instructions in this booklet (referring to Information on Monologues) plus the following specifically for DVD and YouTube.

Framing Introduction and Monologues

Please film your introduction and monologues in a wide medium shot, i.e. from the top of your head to your waist/hips making sure that the framing allows you room to move freely. Make sure that the setting is uncluttered and that the lighting is sufficient.

Your introduction should be simple and directed to the camera. Include your name, where you come from and the title of the pieces you're presenting. This way we can easily identify you.

For more information about admission criteria please contact info.csu on 1800 334 733.

Admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1