Explore our Drama facilities with Guildhall students
Guildhall's energy was so unique and captivating… you're constantly discovering more versatility, truth, power and imagination in your acting
Amber James
BA Acting 2015
The teachers are experienced, passionate, supportive and down to the very core committed to your growth as an actor
Nicholas Richardson
MA Acting 2016
At Guildhall, they don't hold your hand, but they're going to push you to become the actor that you want to be.
Daniel Adeosun
BA Acting
Studying at Guildhall is really cool because you are in a setting where the arts are valued by an entire community
Natasha Mbwana
BA Performance & Creative Enterprise
One of the best things about PACE is it's very experiential - you are not just thinking about the theory of it but you are actually putting in the work and you get to experience both sides of it.
Natasha Mbwana
BA Performance & Creative Enterprise
What materials to prepare for the audition process
Monologues
Please prepare the following:
One monologue from a play by Shakespeare or another Elizabethan/Jacobean playwright (for example, Jonson, Marlowe, Webster);
A contrasting monologue (a different theme/subject/emotion) from a 21st century play.
Second round and final recall auditions only
If you progress to the second round and final recall auditions, you will have to prepare a short unaccompanied song of your own choice. This is to assess your ability to perform and interpret a song, rather than your singing ability.
It is not necessary to prepare different monologues to the first round audition.
Guidance for the first round audition
The recorded audition must consist of two parts:
An introduction about yourself
Your two monologues
The introduction
Please state your name, where you are from, tell us something about yourself and why you wish to train at Guildhall School.
Monologues
Before each monologue, introduce the piece with the name of the character you are playing, the play from which the speech originates, and the author. For example, “This is Rosalind from As You Like It by William Shakespeare”.
It is important that you read the whole of the plays from which your monologues are taken so that you understand the character and the context properly.
The maximum length of the introduction and monologues is two minutes each. Your recording will be 6 minutes in total: please do not extend it beyond this time limit.
All audition materials must be performed in English.
Tips for delivery:
Do not refer to any notes or script
Look directly into the camera for the introduction
Deliver your monologues either with your eyeline slightly off-frame (i.e. not down the lens) or directly to camera. If possible, have someone standing just to side of the camera, out of shot, for you to talk to.
It is helpful if one of your monologues is close to you in age and life experience.
Be simple and truthful
It is perfectly acceptable if you work on your monologues on your own. The Audition Panel is interested in what you have to offer, not a teacher's or a friend's interpretation of the monologues.
If you are also applying to other drama schools which set specific monologues for applicants, try and find something different for Guildhall.
Please note that Guildhall cannot give advice or guidance about specific monologues. It is up to you to find and choose them.
Tips for recording your audition video
Your audition video can be recorded using a smartphone camera (i.e. iPhone, Samsung, Huawei, etc.). You do not need a professional grade camera.
When recording your audition video, try to use a room that has privacy, some space to move and very little or no background noise.
If possible, position your equipment in front of a plain wall and place it so that the main light source comes from behind the camera and that the image clearly shows your head, shoulders and torso.
Do not stand too far away from the camera or in front of a window as this will create a silhouette and the Audition Panel may find it difficult to see you.
If you are using a smartphone, to maintain a steady image, it should ideally sit on a tripod (or similar device) or ensure it is on a stable surface where it cannot move.
Take some time to experiment with different ways of making sure your smartphone is secure if you do not have a tripod, for example, fix it to a can or bottle with an elastic band to keep it in place.
If you are filming your submission in one continuous take, leave a brief pause between the end of your first speech and the beginning of your second.
Watch our video for advice and tips for recording your audition video from Graduate Audition Panellists Matti Houghton and Ashley Zhangazha, including advice on your background, lighting, camera position and framing.
How to submit your audition video
You are required to submit your audition video file through the School’s online audio visual platform, Guildhall Stream.
IMPORTANT: We strongly advise you to submit one file which contains all required elements, rather than three separate files. This could be one continuous take, or the three elements edited together. If you are unable to do this, you may submit three separate files. You must rename your file(s) using your application number, for example, as below:
2110978
Failure to rename your file(s) may mean the Audition Panel is unable to locate it. Please refer to the guidance document PDF above for information on uploading.
Notification of the outcome
We will send you an email within four weeks of the video upload deadline date, informing you of the Audition Panel’s decision. Please note that this is four weeks from the final date for submission stated in your e-mail, not from the date you submitted your audition video.
Feedback on your submission
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback for audition videos.
Need to contact us?
If you encounter any problems uploading your file please contact av@gsmd.ac.uk
If you need clarification on any of the instructions, or have any questions about the process please contact Acting_Applications@gsmd.ac.uk
Preparing for second round and final recall auditions
Support during in person, live auditions
The Audition Panel understands that, inevitably, you will be nervous and having faced auditions themselves, will be sympathetic. Usually, during second round and final recall auditions, there will be an Audition Steward who is either a graduate of our acting programme or a current student, to show you where to go and to help you. They will prompt if you 'dry', but make sure you have copies of your monologues with you.
There will usually be a table and a couple of chairs available should you need them.
Do not worry if the Audition Panel stops you midway through a monologue or makes notes, or if the Panel does not ask you to sing (second round or final recall auditions only). It may be more useful for the Panel to spend longer in discussion with you.
Our Audition Panel members
The Audition Panels for first round auditions are comprised of graduates of the Acting programme. As graduates of the School, and with significant experience of working in the profession, the first round Audition Panel members fully appreciate the rigours of the three-year Acting programme. Consequently, they are in an informed position to understand the nature of the audition process and the Acting training which the School offers.
Audition Panels for second round auditions are comprised of members of the core academic staff of the Drama department and graduates of the acting programme.
The Audition Panels for final recall auditions are comprised of members of the core academic staff of the Drama department, graduates of the Acting programme and may also include external practitioners.
Admissions complaints procedure
There may be occasions where an applicant considers that Guildhall School has failed to meet its high standards in the consideration of their application. If this is the case, please follow the Admissions Complaints procedure.
