![What does a drama school audition panel look for in an auditioning student? [i_619] What does a drama school audition panel look for in an auditioning student?](http://www.actorhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/drama-school-qualities.jpg)
Photo Credit: Sam Houston University Musical Theatre via cc
The panel and tutors at any drama school audition may look stern and scary but they have one very important and difficult task to do. Each year they have to fill their course or courses with the best. They want to find a dynamic group of students that are going to learn and support each other throughout the duration of the course.
They are looking for individuals with talent and who have a hunger for the profession, who are going to complete the whole course and make a name for themselves and make an impact on the professional acting world. Not every graduate does that, we admit, but life does throw curve balls at you that make you change the path you are taking.
When auditioning and interviewing drama school applicants, the panel are usually looking for some essential and desirable qualities. You will see by the lists below why they ask you to prepare and perform certain pieces and ask you to undertake certain tasks at an audition. You will also understand why they ask you to work in small groups and work as a team rather than direct the group piece all by yourself.
For every ONE drama school place, around 100 apply and the number is rising. So you can see why they are looking for the best. It can take quite a few months for a drama school to read applications, audition students and finally whittle it down to the chosen few. So here is a basic list of the essential and desirable qualities that a drama school panel will be looking for.
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CommitmentThey will want to see evidence that you are serious about your acting, that you will have ongoing commitment to an acting career in the professional theatre after you have graduated from the school.
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Application FormWith your application form and interview they will need to see you have fluent written and spoken English, and that you can communicate your thoughts and feeling clearly and efficiently.
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Are you ready for training?They will want to see that you have trainable vocal, physical, imaginative and emotional skills. You don’t have to be a perfect performer when applying for drama school, otherwise you wouldn’t need to study or apply!
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What will you benefit from the course?They will want to see that you will actually benefit from the studies and training that they are going to offer you. And even at the audition stage you need to communicate what you would like to do with the specific training that they are offering you.
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Your interpretationIt’s not all about the acting and singing. They will want to see evidence of an ability to understand, interpret and embody a dramatic text or musical piece. That you can add your personal stamp on to it.
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Ensemble workOne of the most important qualities is to see an ability to participate actively in group or ensemble situations. Acting and performing is a team effort, it’s not all about being a single famous acting star. Even in the real acting world you will work with all departments from wardrobe to lighting to the media. And then there are the fellow actors to contend with. That’s why seeing the improvisational group work at auditions is such an important factor to the audition panel.
Desirable Qualities
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Do you take risks?They will want to see that you have a readiness to take risks, and that you have an open, receptive and enquiring mind, which is the key to any good actor.
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Enthusiasm and hard workDrama school is not for lazy performers. They will want to see an enthusiasm and readiness for hard, rigorous work which will require sustained concentration on your part. A typical day at drama school may last up to 12 hours and you will work some weekends.
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Sense of language and rhythmThey will want to see a sense of language and rhythm, and the potential for identification with the thought process of a dramatic text or musical number. Without all this research the piece will not come to life on stage.
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Portray a fictional characterYou must have the ability to portray and inhabit an imagined or fictional situation, whether it be improvised or from a written text.
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Good physical, vocal and imaginative skillsYou must also have the physical, vocal, imaginative and emotional skills with significant theatrical potential. That you can bring to life that particular character