WHAT IS PDP Foundation Plus?
The Professional Development Programme Foundation Plus is a one-year course for students aged 18+ who have left full-time education.
With 20.75 hours of contact time per week, our small cohorts and incredible staff/student ratios enable a laser focus on the skills required to achieve drama school entry whilst enabling students to train without the additional costs and disruption of relocation.
Unlike a standard foundation course students benefit from being part of the PDP training theatre company and participate in two major productions during the year. Students successfully completing the PDP Foundation Plus course will receive an ATCL Diploma (Level 4) qualification in Musical Theatre or Performing Arts from Trinity College.
Put simply; this represents a fantastic opportunity to benefit from a training course and, simultaneously, join a training theatre company that emphasises student welfare and mindfulness—a combination not available anywhere else at this level.
Watch our video - hear from the students - find out more…
LONDON COMES TO YOU
This unique combination of training, production, and enrichment activities can be offered here at BIGLITTLE without requiring students to relocate to London with the related upheaval and cost.
BIGLITTLE is proud to be well acknowledged by top London drama schools and theatre professionals meaning we can provide the highest quality of teachers and creatives. All our teachers have extensive industry experience as actors, directors/choreographers or musical directors, and many also work at top theatre schools in London and elsewhere, including ArtsEd, Mountview, LSMT, Emil Dale, GSA, PPA, RWCMD and others.
This programme gives you access to that level of training without leaving home!
Regular staff and recent guest teachers include;
Lucy Jane Adcock, Natasha J. Barnes*, Colin Billing [BIGLITTLE Principal], Michelle Blair, Albey Brookes [Foundation Plus Course Leader], Adam Jarrell, Jessica Fossey, Don Gallagher, Mark Goldthorp, Emily Goodenough, Llandyll Gove, Ryan Gover*, Adrian Grove, Lauren Hall, Nick Hayes*, Lynn Howes, Kelly Knight* [Head of BIGLITTLE Youth Theatre], Tom Lorcan, Matthew Malthouse [PDP Course Director], Ben Mundy, Dan Partridge*, Nigel Richards, Laurie Scarth, Caine Stanton, Michael Watson, Emma Woods [PDP Head of Dance], Lisa Zahra
You can learn more about all the faculty here.
*indicates BIGLITTLE alumni
ENTERING SIXTH FORM AND WANT MORE FROM YOUR TRAINING?
CHECK OUT the PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME here.
How do our fees compare?
We have designed our foundation course so that students can receive the same level of audition preparation training available at London colleges but at a fraction of the price.
A typical foundation course costs between £9,000 and £12,000 for a year, whereas the PDP Foundation Plus for 2024 costs just £5,395, which represents incredible training value with more content (productions, diploma, enrichment) than any other equivalent course and no relocation and accommodation expenses. The part-time nature of the course also enables students to work part-time to fund their studies if required.
To find out more about fees and the application process, please download our prospectus.
Receive the BEST training at a fraction of the cost!
What Qualification will I receive?
Students who successfully complete the PDP Foundation Plus course will receive a Trinity ATCL Diploma (NQA Level 4) qualification in advanced performance skills (Musical Theatre or Performing Arts).
The examination requires students to perform a recital of linked pieces which can be tailored to the student’s strengths in performance (Acting, Singing, Dance, Mime etc.) This is followed by a ‘Viva voce’ (Oral Examination), which comprises a discussion and an interpretation/improvisation element.
There is no written work required for this qualification.