Welcome
We know that applying to drama school can feel exciting, challenging and sometimes a little daunting.
Our auditions are designed to help us get to know you as an artist and to understand how you engage with performance, storytelling and training. We’re interested in your creativity, curiosity and potential, not whether you’re already a finished performer.
Throughout the audition process, you’ll have several opportunities to share your work, take part in practical activities and work with members of our teaching team.
The Audition Process
The audition process takes place over three stages, allowing us to get to know applicants in different ways and giving you multiple opportunities to demonstrate your strengths.
Stage One: Self-Tape Submission
Following your application, you’ll be invited to submit a self-tape audition.
You’ll be asked to prepare:
- A contemporary monologue
- A classical monologue, usually Shakespeare
- A devised piece
Detailed guidance for each element will be provided after you apply.
At this stage, we’re interested in how you engage with text, communicate ideas and use your imagination to bring characters and stories to life.
Remember, we’re much more interested in the quality of your thinking and storytelling than the quality of your filming equipment.
Stage Two: Initial Recall
Applicants who are successful at Stage One will be invited to an Initial Recall.
This is usually a half-day experience which can take place on campus. We strongly recommend attending in person if possible to get the most out of the experience, however online auditions are available for those who cannot attend in person.
The session includes practical workshops and an individual audition.
Workshops
You’ll take part in voice and movement workshops led by members of our teaching team.
These sessions are designed to explore communication, creativity and collaboration. They also give applicants an opportunity to experience elements of the training environment at Rose Bruford College.
No specialist dance or movement experience is required.
Individual Audition
You’ll prepare:
- One contemporary monologue
- One classical monologue
These can be the same pieces used in your self-tape or completely different pieces.
You’ll usually be asked to perform at least one speech before working further with the panel.
Working with the Panel
During the audition, you may be asked to revisit your speech with a different objective, circumstance or creative approach.
This is often referred to as a redirect.
There is no “correct” response to a redirect. We’re interested in how you engage with new ideas, respond to feedback and explore different possibilities within your work.
Often, what happens after a redirect tells us more than the initial performance itself.
Stage Three: Final Recall
Applicants who progress to the final stage will spend a full day working with us on campus.
The focus of this stage is ensemble work and collaboration.
You’ll take part in a range of practical workshops that may include voice, movement, text exploration, improvisation and group creative activities.
There is no additional preparation required.
All materials will be provided on the day.
We want you to focus on engaging fully with the experience and working with the people around you.
Preparing for Your Audition
The best preparation is to arrive ready to engage with the process.
We encourage applicants to approach auditions with curiosity, openness and a willingness to explore new ideas. While it’s important to prepare your speeches thoroughly, we’re not looking for perfect performances or a particular way of working.
Our auditions are designed to help us understand how you think, respond, communicate and collaborate. You’ll gain the most from the experience by being fully present, listening carefully and embracing opportunities to try new things.
If you’re looking for more advice about preparing for an audition, self-tapes, what to wear or what to expect on the day, take a look at our Auditions & Interviews FAQs.
What We’re Looking For
Throughout the audition process, we’re interested in getting to know you as an individual artist and understanding how you might develop through professional training.
We know that applicants arrive with different experiences, opportunities and levels of training. Some may have performed extensively, while others may be at an earlier stage in their creative journey. We’re interested in your potential, your curiosity and your willingness to engage with the process.
We look for applicants who can connect with a text and communicate a story clearly. We want to see how you engage with character, language and dramatic circumstances, and how you use your imagination to bring ideas to life.
We’re also interested in how you respond to new ideas and opportunities to develop your work. Throughout the audition process, you’ll be invited to explore, experiment and collaborate. We value applicants who are open to feedback, willing to take creative risks and prepared to try different approaches.
Many of our auditions involve practical workshops and group activities. We enjoy seeing applicants who work positively with others, contribute to the room and engage generously with the process.
Most importantly, we’re looking for people who are excited by the possibility of training, learning and growing as artists. We are not looking for perfect performances. We are looking for creativity, imagination, collaboration and the potential to benefit from the training we offer at Rose Bruford College.
For Parents, Carers, Supporters and Teachers
We recognise that many applicants are supported throughout the application process by parents, carers, supporters, teachers and careers advisers.
Audition days can feel exciting and sometimes nerve-racking, and the encouragement and reassurance provided by those around an applicant can play an important role in helping them feel confident and prepared.
The most helpful support is often practical and encouraging. We recommend helping applicants prepare thoroughly, arrive in good time and approach the experience with an open mind. Our auditions are designed to be learning experiences, giving applicants opportunities to explore new approaches, work with others and gain insight into professional training.
Parents, carers, supporters and teachers are welcome to accompany applicants to campus. While only applicants can participate in workshops and auditions, visitors are welcome to relax in the College café during the day.
Please note that parents, carers, supporters and teachers are not permitted to attend audition workshops or individual audition sessions.