Unlike universities, most drama schools operate a complex audition structure that requires applicants to get through two, three or even four rounds. In other words, having got through the first round, you may be asked to return to the same institution one or two times on different dates, facing increasing rigour and standard of competition each time.
Auditioning is a lengthy and expensive process for the drama schools. The huge number of applicants to the top schools is one of the reasons why it all takes so long and has to be done so slowly. The major schools have up to 5000 applicants each year for their three-year acting course, and most offer an audition to all applicants.
All top drama schools operate some sort of ‘recall’ system, calling a selected few applicants back for up to three further rounds. Obviously it's good news if you are recalled, but if you live a long way from the school, you may find that being recalled several times for two or three schools on a range of different dates can be disruptive and expensive, especially if you are studying for exams!
What to prepare
Since the pandemic, many drama schools have operated a ‘self-tape’ policy at first round. In some cases you will be invited to attend an audition online via Zoom or Teams, rather than attending an audition in person. Policies vary widely across the schools, so check carefully to see what the requirements are.
Most major drama schools will require you to learn and prepare at least two monologue speeches. Some schools specify a classical and a modern speech; others merely ask for two contrasting speeches.
It is essential that you read the instructions on each drama school's website, and adhere rigidly to the requirements, because one of the best ways to get yourself turned down by a drama school is to arrive on the day having prepared the wrong pieces!
It is also probably a good idea to have a notebook in which you write down the different requirements of each school, because when you are dealing with six or more sets of rules, all of which differ very slightly from the others, it is very easy to get muddled.
Making a self-tape
There are useful tips and instructions available on many drama school websites, but here are some general tips that you may find useful:
- Find a reasonably large space with a neutral background such as a white wall or a plain curtain, and minimal background noise. If you haven't got a space like that at home, you might want to find somewhere in your school or college.
- Avoid props and costume. Wear neutral clothes without pictures or writing on them. Wear minimal, if any, make-up.
- If you are making the recording on a phone, make sure that the person recording you is able to hold the phone still so that the picture doesn't wobble. Better to use a stand or tripod.
- You will need to be fully in shot (not just head and shoulders) for the whole monologue.
- You should not speak directly to camera, but just off to one side. The exception is where a school has asked you to introduce yourself before the monologues.
- If you are doing a brief self-introduction, make sure you know exactly what you are going to say, so that you don't stumble or use too many ‘ers’ and ‘ums’. Say your full name, one fact about yourself (such as where you are from) and why you want to be an actor. Be genuine and don't rush.
- Ensure that you are lit properly from the front, and that there is no light source (such as a window) behind you or above your head.
- Do a few test runs to make sure that you can be clearly heard on the video.
- If your monologue is addressed to another character, you might want to have someone there, off camera, to speak to, so you have a point of focus.
- Make sure your video plays back properly and has captured all of your work
- Make sure that when you upload it to Vimeo or a similar site, the video is not set to ‘private’, and will not expire.
This is an edited extract from Getting into Drama School: The Compact Guide (Revised and Updated Edition) by Nick Moseley. Drama & Theatre readers can save 25% and get their copy for just £7.49 plus delivery with code DT25 at nickhernbooks.co.uk/getting-into-drama-school.