How to survive the drama school interview

James Bowden is the founder of The Dorset School of Acting – nationally recognised and Dorset’s first and only full time independent drama school.
After graduating from Rose Bruford in 1994 James has been fortunate enough to have worked regularly as an actor in theatre and TV.
How to survive the drama school interview_550
Photo Credit: adapted from Steven Pisano via cc

The interview in Drama School auditions is often overlooked, what should you do?

So you have just finished your monologues, the panel look impressed, you have been re-directed and responded well but now to the final stage….the interview!
You sit there and try and guess what they want to hear….you’ve not really thought about why you want to train, or go to Drama School of even why you want to act and to top it all they start by asking you about your job at B&Q!!!
With all the pressure on learning the right monologues and songs it is often the case that auditionees forget just how important the interview actually is.
Sure you have to demonstrate talent but when there are thousands of talented young people vying for so few places, it is the interview that separates the wheat from the chaff.
The purpose of the interview is for the panel to find out more about you, how you think, what is important to you, whether you have an opinion on anything (other than who you think is the best Elphaba!).
Time and time again auditionees fail to think through this vital step in the audition process.
So make sure you really think about what you are going to say and make sure you have an opinion!!
Be prepared and know about the school you are auditioning for.
Be honest and friendly, relax and chat!
Don’t try to impress the panel with arbitrary nonsense…… DON’T BE SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT, BE YOURSELF!!!!
The Dorset School of Acting’s 1 year Foundation Course in Acting & Musical Theatre prepares it’s students for all the aspects of auditioning for accredited Drama Schools. Check out the course at www.dorsetschoolofacting.co.uk

About DSA

The Dorset School of Acting is nationally recognised and Dorset’s first and only full time independent drama school.
The DSA offers a vocational course preparing students for further training at drama school or a professional career in acting depending on ability.
With advisors from the most prestigious drama schools in the country, the school provides a systematical approach to the art and craft of the actor whether in classic and contemporary acting or musical theatre.
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