CCEA A-Level Performing Arts A2 1 Planning for Employment in the Performing Arts Industry: a complete overview

A2 1 Planning for Employment in the Performing Arts Industry is the first A2 unit of CCEA A-Level Performing Arts, and it turns the course outward towards the industry. You research the roles and realities of working in the performing arts, build a promotional portfolio to market yourself, and present yourself through an audition or a presentation, supported by an interview. Like every unit it has no exam. This overview maps the aim, the stages and how to evidence them.

The aim of the unit

A2 1 prizes AO2 (research into the industry) and AO3 (planning for employment and presenting yourself), with AO4 reflection. Its purpose is practical: to prepare you for a sector that is largely freelance and competitive, where presenting yourself well is itself a professional skill.

The stages of the unit

The unit moves from research, through a tailored portfolio, to a live presentation.

1. Research the industry and a role. The work, the routes in, the skills and training expected, freelance and pay realities, and relevant organisations.
2. Build a promotional portfolio. A curriculum vitae, personal statement, showreel or repertoire list, targeted at the chosen role.
3. Prepare the presentation route. Performance students prepare an audition; production students prepare a presentation; both prepare for an interview.
4. Reflect. Evaluate how well your portfolio and presentation represent you, and what you would strengthen.

Targeting everything at a real role

The single most important habit is to make every element specific to a chosen role.

• Research first, then build - let what you learn decide what the portfolio foregrounds.
• Choose targeted material - audition and presentation content should show the skills the role needs.
• Back claims with evidence - credits, clips and references persuade more than assertion.

How to reach the top band

The marks reward research-driven, targeted preparation.

1. Name a specific role. Generic self-promotion sits in the lower bands.
2. Let research shape the portfolio. Industry research scores under AO2 only if it visibly informs your materials.
3. Rehearse the presentation. Treat the audition or presentation as a planned performance, not an improvisation.
4. Evidence every claim. Support skills with credits, a showreel or references.
5. Reflect with evidence. Judge how well you marketed yourself and what you would strengthen.

The unit, dot point by dot point

This unit's full overview, with worked questions and cross-links, sits alongside the cross-unit skills pages. Browse the full set at /ccea-a-level/performing-arts/syllabus.

For the official specification

CCEA publishes the full specification and support materials at ccea.org.uk. Always work from the current CCEA specification and your centre's controlled-assessment guidance, because requirements are board-specific.