Top Tips for Drama School Auditions 2024

Top Tips for Drama School Auditions 2024

Aspiring students should consider our advice for the drama school audition process, including an overview of the steps required and specific tips to bear in mind.

What is the Drama School Application Process?

Applying for drama schools in the UK is often slightly different to the process most students will go through in order to apply to general ‘university’ courses (drama schools often come under the ‘conservatoire’ heading alongside subjects like music composition or performance).

As with universities, however, the key point here is that each institution will have their own process. As a result, you need to do your research ahead of starting the application process, and work out what each drama school needs from you (and by which dates). While we can provide a general overview to give you a taste, this will not serve as a substitute for doing individual research.

To give a rough idea, however, we can say that most drama schools tend to require an audition process (whether one audition or, more commonly, a few auditions – more details on that below). Some drama schools want you to begin their process by sending off a UCAS application (alongside your other choices, up to a maximum of five), whereas others want a direct, external application through their own systems (again, requiring extra research).

What is the Drama School Audition Process?

As already noted, you will almost certainly need to participate in a few auditions in order to secure your place at drama school in the UK. While the process again differs from institution to institution, we can provide a rough general overview which some of the top UK drama schools tend to follow.

To start with, a recorded video audition is common. This is usually a self-tape from home – delivering some form of monologue to the camera and submitting that remotely. If you pass this stage, you will likely be invited to something in-person (many drama schools will have more than one in-person interview, often at their campus, and some will additionally want to see you perform in a group context, testing your ability to work with other actors/actresses too). Passing each stage is often required to make it to the next – if you make it all the way to the end, the prize is essentially a place on the course.

In order to maximise your chances of making it through the audition process and securing that elusive offer, we have assembled our top ten tips for drama school auditions in 2024 below – audition preparation is absolutely vital for success.

To find out more about the drama school audition process, read our comprehensive guide Drama School Auditions .

10 Top Tips for Drama School Auditions

Audition Tip 1: Question What the Panel are Looking for

Your primary focus should be on understanding what you need to showcase in order to get through the process.

While responses again vary between drama schools, a few common threads do come up. You need to demonstrate a genuine passion for the craft, demonstrate a positive, ‘teachable’ attitude to drama, and be able to convey ‘genuine’ emotions through your audition. Common misconceptions include the idea that you need to give a ‘perfect’ performance or come across as a performer already-formed. Instead, you need to demonstrate a level of ability which shows potential for the future.

Audition Tip 2: Think About What You Have to Offer

Essentially, you need to make your performance as personal as possible. This does not mean your audition needs to feature monologues which you share actual lived experiences with. Instead, it means you need to pick pieces which allow you to let a genuine part of yourself shine through – look for common threads and shared experiences which you can play on in order to really sell your performance. You should choose roles that you could conceivably play in the future and with which you connect.

This also means not trying to be something you are not – rather than trying to emulate your favourite actor, try to find your own voice and take things in a new direction. This will ensure the panel do not hear the same performance over and over, while additionally making sure your performance stands out.

Audition Tip 3: Keep Yourself Mentally Sharp

Getting yourself in the right headspace is key when taking part in an audition process. Some acting professionals use meditation, others will go through breathing exercises – whatever works for you, take your time in preparing mentally.

Audition Tip 4: Keep Yourself Physically Sharp

Acting can be a physically demanding process. Ensuring that you are doing all the essentials correctly in the build-up to your auditions is key. This includes eating well and getting enough sleep – both of which will mean you have the capacity to throw everything out there on the big day (leaving no regrets afterwards).

Audition Tip 5: Respond Positively to Feedback

During recall rounds, you will likely receive feedback and direction on your performance. How you respond to this is key: be prepared to be asked to completely change your approach or impetus on the spot (practice doing so in advance!). After auditions, you will almost certainly not receive feedback should you be rejected: however, reflect for yourself afterwards what you felt positively about and what you would evolve for next time.

All reflection a boosting pad for your future auditions to come.

Audition Tip 6: Stay as Calm as Possible

Acting can be an emotionally draining process. Nerves are very normal when presenting yourself as an applicant for a course in such a personal, direct way. As already mentioned, being mentally prepared is important – but throughout the audition itself, you need to try remaining as relaxed as possible (rather than trying to be perfectly polished at all times).

Audition Tip 7: Understand the Process and Prepare Accordingly

Preparation is key. Know how many auditions you need to do, where they will take place, and when they will take place. Make sure to avoid any unnecessary clashes which might lead to you needing to pull out of other applications.

Audition Tip 8: Pick the Right Pieces

Picking the right pieces is key. Remember to choose pieces which are personal to you, to which you can connect, and which you could conceivably see yourself playing one day. Its generally recommended to avoid accents which are not your own, and to avoid pieces in which the character is in an altered mental state, such as psychosis or extreme drunkenness.

The pieces which tend to best lend themselves to drama school auditions are those in which your character has a clear objective, rather than introspective or philosophical pieces. Finally, range is important – not just in era or style, which is usually an obligatory part of the process (i.e. you must usually show one classical and one contemporary) – but also in tone and emotional range. Again, checking the preferences of the particular drama school here is crucial.

Audition Tip 9: Show Collaboration Skills

If you are called for a group audition, ensure that you show the necessary teamwork abilities. This means striking a balance between taking a leadership role where necessary and taking a step back to allow others to breathe when appropriate. Dominating the performance in an attempt to showcase your own potential will not go down well.

Audition Tip 10: Connect with the Panel

Remember that you are presenting to the panel itself. This does not mean constant eye contact or anything excessive – but try to create a connection between yourself and them (just as a competent theatre actor always does with their audience). That connection massively improves your chances of being impactful and memorable.

Conclusion on Drama School Auditions 2024

In short, by following our top tips for drama school auditions in 2024, you can maximise your chances of success in upcoming applications. With good preparation and hard work, achieving a place at your dream institution is entirely doable.

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