Top Tips on Drama School auditions

Before you begin looking at any drama schools, colleges or universities, ask yourself the following questions:

What sort of performing do I want to do?
Is it straight acting, devising or musical theatre?
Will I do better within a conservatory or university program?
What do I hope to accomplish after graduating?
Do I have any other interests that I want to pursue alongside theatre?

Once you know the answers your search may be easier. You may have a love of the theatre but may want to try directing or set design. You may want to learn how to write, devise or set up your own theatre company. All these questions will guide you to the right sort of school.

Do your research on the abundance of drama schools out there. Most reputable schools have a very good website and prospectus. Make yourself a shortlist of the schools that appeal to you. All drama schools differ in what they actually offer and some maybe more suitable to you than others. When you have a final shortlist, do your research on each particular school. What do they teach and how do they teach it? Find out all you can about the positives and even the negatives. Try and find out what past students thought of the school and what have they been doing since.

Before applying for a drama school, try and visit the school if you can. Seeing the school in person rather that on the web may help you with your decision. You will be able to get a ‘feel’ of the place, meeting the students and seeing the facilities will be better than any prospectus. The students currently attending will be happy to answer any of your questions and should offer an honest perspective on the place, whether it be good or bad.

This drama school insight will also come in very handy if you are actually asked to audition at the school. They panel will be impressed that you know a great deal about the school, the tutors, the classes and that you are fully aware about what they actually offer. This knowledge about the school will not only show them that you’re interested about being there, but shows that you have researched well and have a good head on your shoulders.

Without a good application form, chances are you won’t even get to audition. It’s very important that you fill out any applications forms correctly making sure that it doesn’t include any spelling mistakes. Try filling out ‘dummy’ application forms and gather feedback from friends, family and tutors before sending it on. Make sure that you are totally honest and include all the correct details in the correct boxes. Don’t fall at the first hurdle by sending a ‘half hearted’ application form.

You may think that applying for a place in a drama school is a daunting and stressful business. It can be if you let it. Avoid getting stressed at all costs. It will only impede your thinking and may even effect the outcome. If you are truly passionate about getting an education and a career in the arts, then allow this process and preparation to be fun and exciting. The whole of your acting career will involve lots of research and preparation.

If you are applying for more than one school, you will need to get yourself organised. There will be deadlines and different audition requirements from each school. Be clear about what each school will require and keep all your paper work in order. You may only get one week to prepare for an audition, so prioritise your time well, making sure all of your audition requirements are being met. That way each school will get the very best from you.

Choosing the right drama school is down to you and you only. There may be recommendations from others who may know of the school or know a student who went there. There are numerous websites and articles, even like this one from Actor Hub. But use them as a guide only. All feedback is useful but don’t be swayed by other peoples opinions. A course that is good for one student, may not be suitable for another. You will be the one who will be studying there for a couple of years or more, so it has to suit you.

Chances are the drama school panel are seeing hundreds of applicants, there may be over 200 applicants and then 20 auditionees per school place. With so many applicants vying for a place, it’s important to present yourself at your very best and market yourself extremely well. Why should YOU be given the place instead of the other nineteen applicants? Make sure you rest well and look your best on the day. Being neat, fresh looking, tidy and wearing the appropriate clothing will help improve your application and audition.

One of the most important pieces of advice we can give you is BE YOURSELF. Drama students do have a stigma attached to them. They are usually seen as super confident, outrageously dressed, loud and usually the ‘centre of attention’. Some indeed are, but not all good drama students stand out from the crowd. It’s the same with professional actors. Don’t go into the audition as something that you are not. Don’t dress in an outfit that isn’t you. Don’t try speaking in an accent that isn’t yours. The panel will see through any disguise that you may want to hide behind, and they’ll see through it and it will only put them off.

Usually most drama schools will ask you to perform one or two monologues. A monologue is a short speech from a play or film. It’s very important that you do your monologue research well. Make sure that you pick something that you will shine in and that will actually suit you. Don’t make it difficult for the audition panel by picking something you would never be cast in. If you are only 18, don’t pick a speech by King Lear or perform an Alan Bennett monologue. You can always stretch your range during your drama training, but to start with, do something appropriate at your audition and do it well.

When you have chosen your suitable monologue, it’s a good idea to read the whole play and get to know every detail about the part, their surroundings and the other characters that they come into contact with. The audition panel may test your knowledge of the character, play or even playwright to see how thoroughly you have prepared. They may even ask you simple questions like what is the full name of your character? You would be surprised at how many auditionees can’t even answer that. Be prepared for anything!

Hiring an audition teacher maybe a good idea so that they can oversee the process with you. Or get help from a drama teacher at your college or local school. They will be able to help you properly prepare and may even help and advise you on choosing some powerful pieces. They will also be seeing what the audition panel will see on the day and can therefore guide you accordingly.

When you perform your piece, don’t look the audition panel directly in the eye. Look to the side or even above their heads unless you are actually reading with them or directed to look at them. Whenever you look an audience in the eye, you involve them in the acting process and they may feel uncomfortable with that, especially if the piece is a gritty, violent extract! The audition panel will want to be able to watch you as an audience and not be involved in or be part of the action.

Some young actors are under the impression that being ‘smart’ or ‘cocky’ will get you noticed at a drama school audition. They think it’s a good way to stand out and come across as super confident. Don’t ever antagonise a panel by being too clever or confrontational. Chances are you’ll be on the rejection list. They are looking for a student after all, who is going to be taught and will learn from their tutors.

You need to have a good and pleasant attitude. First impressions count. The panel will be looking for good students and will also be on high alert for any problematic ones. Some of the panel may be your course tutors, so make sure that THEY want to spend a year or more teaching YOU. This audition process is also similar to how most agents and casting directors will work, so start off on a good footing. Professional audition technique is an art form. When you start auditioning for acting schools, they are not looking for the finished product but for talent, raw material and a great attitude they can work with.

Talking is ‘silver’, but listening is ‘gold’. Remember that piece of advice. Listen to the panel. Answering their questions incorrectly will only give them the impression that you are not focused or worse still, that you don’t even know what you are talking about. A student will have to spend the whole course listening to their colleagues and tutors. Good listening skills will come in very handy for the rest of your acting career.

If you have been rejected by a drama school it maybe wise to contact them to see if they have any constructive feedback for you so at least you can learn from your mistakes. Some may even offer you a deferral which is when you can apply or attend a year later. And don’t take a place in a school which is a ‘last resort’.

If you are unsuccessful at your chosen school, take a year out and reapply again the following year. Do something else, or even better still try acting or doing some acting classes. You will be surprised what a ‘year out’ can do and what you can learn and any theatre experience will only do you more good. Going back for another drama school audition a year later can be very rewarding, especially if you have gained some worldly experience in the interim.