Auditioning for the Programme

Students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds are selected on merit by audition.

It is not necessary to have any previous acting experience.

You should normally be at least 18 years old when you begin your training. Most students are a few years older. There is no upper age limit.
We welcome applications from overseas candidates. You must be completely fluent in the English Language. Current and recent overseas students have come from Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Eire, Finland, France, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United States.

The application process for the BA & MA Acting Programmes involves a three-stage audition: the Preliminary Audition, the Second Round Audition and the Final Recall Audition. You must pass each stage in order to proceed to the next.

For candidates auditioning outside of London (including the United States), the Second Round Audition may take place on the same day as the preliminary.

You should prepare three contrasting dramatic pieces of your own choice:

One must be in verse (blank or rhymed) from a play by Shakespeare or another Jacobean playwright;
One from a modern play written after 1956;
One should be a contrasting piece from any period.

No piece should last longer than two minutes.

In addition, you should also be prepared to sing a short unaccompanied song of your own choice.

Notification of audition dates will ordinarily be sent by email.

Preliminary auditions

These are held between November and May in London, and in January in the United States. Read more about auditions in New York.

Second round auditions

The dates of these will be notified to candidates who successfully pass the preliminary auditions. You should be prepared to spend a half day at the School. There is no extra cost.

Recall auditions

If you are successful at the second round audition you will be invited to return for a further two days, at no extra cost, for the Recall Auditions which are normally held in May.

If you cannot attend the Recall Auditions, you cannot be considered for a place on the Acting Programme.

Recall Auditions include voice, movement and improvisation work (some of this in small groups), more detailed work on audition pieces and a short interview. You meet and work with many of the staff members who teach on the programme.

Auditions for the Acting Programme: What to expect

Advice to candidates auditioning for the acting programme.

Print