Auditions & Interviews

We operate a two-stage process for admission. The first is a preliminary audition, which is normally held over Zoom (or other online platform), with a panel of two auditioners. If you are successful at the first stage, you will be required to attend a recall workshop, which is normally held in-person at the Theatre School.

Preliminary auditions are normally held between November and April. Recalls are normally held between January and June.

Each preliminary audition lasts for roughly fifteen minutes. You need to perform two contrasting monologues. Each piece should last no longer than two minutes; if you exceed this time limit you will be stopped. We aim to make these auditions as informal and friendly as possible.

Your monologues should be from a play and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts. We no longer specify when these speeches should have been written. However, contrast is important for us to assess your acting potential and you should choose your pieces carefully. There are further tips to help you below.

To complete your preliminary audition, you will need access to a PC, laptop or tablet computer with a webcam and stable internet connection. You will also require a quiet space to perform freely without disruption or distraction. We aim to provide a choice of days and times to help ensure this is possible for you. Please note that we are unable to offer feedback on your audition.

Tips for your preliminary audition

• Contrast is important for us to assess your acting potential. This could be achieved by performing a classical and a contemporary speech, a comedy and a drama piece, or by choosing two very different characters.

• Your speech can be translated from another language and may be for either male or female actors.

• Speeches should involve a character close to your own age and at least one speech should be performed in your own accent.

• It will help you if you’ve read the whole play and understand the context of the speech.

• Think about who your character is speaking to and where they are.

• Think about what your character is trying to achieve, and see if there’s a change of direction in the speech.

Audition Process

Each audition lasts for roughly forty five minutes. At your audition, you will be required to present:

• A speech from a classical English play (written before 1800 – Elizabethan, Jacobean, Restoration or Eighteenth Century – Shakespeare is always appropriate).
• A piece in prose from a modern play (written in the 20th or 21st Centuries).
• A short, unaccompanied song – we suggest avoiding contemporary pop songs.

Each piece should last no longer than 2 minutes; if you exceed this time limit you may be stopped. For the song, you may wish to perform a verse and chorus from your chosen piece.

Normally, successful candidates will have a first degree and it is essential that they have proven professional experience in one or more capacities within the entertainment industry; this could be in directing fringe productions, working as a performer or in stage management. They should have a good command of the English language, a clear understanding of theatre and individual creative ambitions.

Applicants will be interviewed by two members of staff, including the Head of Course.

Normally, successful candidates will have a first degree. It is expected that candidates will have some demonstrated experience of writing which could be in a medium other than drama and now want to expand work into this medium. The course is also suitable for candidates who have been working in the drama industry and now wish to develop their writing skills. Applicants will be interviewed by two members of staff, including the Head of Course or Artistic Director

Normal academic entry requirements would be; General Art and Design Foundation Course or equivalent Level 3 qualification; or equivalent practical experience. Specific skills: competent sewing, well organised. Applicants would normally demonstrate interest in areas such as film and theatre craft. Have a background in school/amateur theatre productions. Applicants will be interviewed by two members of staff, including the head of costume course and the Costume Making Tutor. Applicants are required to bring a portfolio with examples of their work. Applicants will be given an opportunity to ask questions of staff and current students and will be shown the facilities at the School.

All applicants are interviewed.

All applicants meet the University’s minimum qualifications for admission, except where age, experience and alternative qualifications are contributory factors. The selection process is entirely through interview and a previous body of work. The Masters programme is primarily aimed at students with previous training and/or professional creative industries experience. Students would be expected to have a understanding of the process of film production and would be seeking an additional advanced level of training within the specialist area of drama production. They should have given considerable thought to their specific area of interest prior to applying for the course (directing, editing, producing, camera, and sound) and whilst focusing during their training on a specific area will acquire a range of allied knowledge and skills across the area of film production.

Suitably qualified students or those with an extensive body of moving image work will be considered for interview

All applicants meet the University’s minimum qualifications for admission, except where age, experience and alternative qualifications are contributory factors. There are no specified A Level subjects but the majority of applicants for the two-year course have A Level qualifications or BTEC National Diplomas and/or first degree. Others have acceptable equivalents. The selection process is through interview.

All applicants must be aged 18 or over at the start of the course.

Successful candidates will be non UK/EU residents who have a first degree in a related field and/or experience in a related profession. They should have an excellent command of both written and spoken English.

Candidates will have two interviews – the first via Skype and, if successful, a second round interview in person at the School.

*Please note this course is subject to validation.

Normally entry for this course is with a first degree in a related subject: Fine Art, Illustration, Painting and Drawing, Sculpture, Graphics, Film, TV, Animation, and Theatre. A good command of the English language is required. Applicants without a degree but with the equivalent experience would also be considered.

A comprehensive portfolio of artwork is required at interview.

Successful candidates will have a first degree in a related subject such as Fine Art, Sculpture, Architecture, Costume or Illustration including Drama or Theatre Studies or will have equivalent professional experience. They should have a good command of the English language. Applicants should be able to provide evidence of their ability to express ideas visually by the production of a portfolio of Art and Design work. It is an expectation that the applicants understand the required basic skills involved and role of Theatre Designer within a production. Applicants are required to demonstrate basic Theatre Design skills/aptitude for the profession using the portfolio as evidence and at interview.

Applicants will be interviewed by two members of staff/ professional practitioners or graduates, including the Head of Design and Course Leader.

Applicants will be given an opportunity to ask questions of staff and current students where possible and be shown the facilities at the School.

Normally, successful candidates will have a first degree in technical theatre or have equivalent professional experience. They should have a good command of the English language and some understanding of the skills required of, and the role of, a theatre production manager. They should also be able to produce evidence of at least some of the essential skills required to carry out theatre production management.

Applicants will be interviewed by two members of staff, including the Head of Theatre Production.