WHAT TO PREPARE

Candidates are asked to present: 

• One speech in prose from a play written after 2000 
• One speech in verse (not prose) written prior to 1800 
• One creative response 

The speech in verse may be from Shakespeare, or from the Elizabethan, Jacobean, Ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or international equivalent periods. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led.  

If you are selecting a play in translation please ensure that it is written in poetic verse rather than a modern adaptation that simplifies the form and content. You may choose a speech in any gender. 

Please note that both speeches must: 

• Last no longer than two minutes each 
• Be from published plays and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts 
• Involve a character close to your own age 
• Be performed in your native accent 

For the creative response, you will have the choice to select one article from the articles provided in the handbook, to inspire a creative response. Your piece can take any form you like, but it must be performance-based and include you as a performer. It should last no longer than 1½ minutes.

Candidates are asked to present: 

• One speech in prose from a play written after 2000 
• Two contrasting songs 
• One creative response 

Please note that the speech should: 

• Be character-led 
• Last no longer than two minutes 
• Be from a published play and should not be an extract from a poem, novel, film or television script 
• Involve a character close to your own age 
• Be performed in your native accent 
• May be in any gender 

Please note that songs: 

• Must allow you to show two contrasting vocal approaches, one of which should be the more classical sounding style that can be associated with musical theatre singing 
• Can either both be from musicals or one can be from a musical and one from a genre of your choice 
• Be performed in the key in which the music is written (the accompanist will not transpose into a different key) 
• Give you the opportunity to act through them 
• Not be from the classical repertoire (this includes opera) 
• Must last no longer than three minutes each 

The six volumes of The Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology provide excellent selections and can be downloaded for free, but you may choose work from any musical. 

For the creative response, you will have the choice to select one article from the articles provided in the handbook, to inspire a creative response. Your piece can take any form you like, but it must be performance-based and include you as a performer. It should last no longer than 1½ minutes.

Candidates are asked to present: 

• One speech in prose from a play written after 2000 
• One speech in verse (not prose) from a play written before 1800  

The speech in verse may be from Shakespeare, or from the Elizabethan, Jacobean, Ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or international equivalent periods. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led.  

If you are selecting a play in translation please ensure that it is written in poetic verse rather than a modern adaptation that simplifies the form and content. You may choose a speech in any gender. 

Please note that both speeches must: 

• Last no longer than two minutes each  
• Be from published plays and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts 
• Involve a character close to your own age 
• Be performed in your own accent 

For in-person auditions, you may be asked to perform your speeches again as part of a redirection exercise set by the panellist. There is nothing to prepare in advance. 

For online auditions, you will be given a Physical Storytelling exercise to film and submit. You will be given full instructions to follow as part of this submission. Please be aware that there is not a right or wrong way to perform this task, we are interested in how you use your body to tell a story. The piece should be no more than 2 minutes long. 

Candidates are asked to present: 

• One speech in prose from a play written after 2000 
• One speech in verse (not prose) from a play written before 1800 
• Two contrasting instrumental pieces on any instruments of your choice 

The speech in verse may be from Shakespeare, or from the Elizabethan, Jacobean, Ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or international equivalent periods. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led.  

If you are selecting a play in translation please ensure that it is written in poetic verse rather than a modern adaptation that simplifies the form and content. You may choose a speech in any gender. 

Please note that both speeches must: 

• Last no longer than two minutes each  
• Be from published plays and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts 
• Involve a character close to your own age 
• Be performed in your own accent 

Please note that the instrumental pieces should: 

• Reflect your technical capacity and current ability level 
• Last no longer than four minutes combined. You may make cuts if necessary to keep within the time restraints 
• May be performed on the same instrument or two different instruments 
• May be from any genre of your choosing  
• May be performed with or without accompaniment 

Please note that for the purposes of this audition, the voice is not considered an instrument. 

The instrumental pieces are submitted online and you will not be required to bring your instrument to your in-person audition. 

For in-person auditions, you may be asked to perform your speeches again as part of a redirection exercise set by the panellist. There is nothing to prepare in advance. 

For online auditions, you will be given a Physical Storytelling exercise to film and submit. You will be given full instructions to follow as part of this submission. Please be aware that there is not a right or wrong way to perform this task, we are interested in how you use your body to tell a story. The piece should be no more than 2 minutes long. 

Candidates are asked to present: 

• One speech in prose from a play written after 2000 
• One speech in verse (not prose) from a play written before 1800 
• Two contrasting songs 
• One dance routine  

We always see all three disciplines – singing, acting and dance – to see your potential as a musical theatre actor. 

The speech in verse may be from Shakespeare, or from the Elizabethan, Jacobean, Ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or international equivalent periods. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led.  

If you are selecting a play in translation please ensure that it is written in poetic verse rather than a modern adaptation that simplifies the form and content. You may choose a speech in any gender. 

Please note that both speeches must: 

• Last no longer than two minutes each  
• Be from published plays and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts 
• Involve a character close to your own age 
• Be performed in your own accent 

Please note that songs: 

• Must allow you to show two contrasting vocal approaches, one of which should be the more classical sounding style that can be associated with musical theatre singing 
• Can either both be from musicals or one can be from a musical and one from a genre of your choice 
• Give you the opportunity to act through them 
• Must last no longer than three minutes each 

The six volumes of The Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology provide excellent selections and can be downloaded for free, but you may choose work from any musical. 

Please note that the dance element of the audition will vary. For in person auditions, you will participate in a workshop in which you will learn and perform a short routine. 

For online auditions, you will be asked to submit a self-tape where you perform a short dance routine and technical exercise. Instruction and choreography will be sent on application, and the required routine will take into consideration that you may have limited space to perform. 

Candidates will be invited to attend an audition and interview with the course leaders at which you will present pre-prepared piano pieces and discuss your interests, influences and previous experience. More information will be provided once your application has been received. 

Candidates are asked to prepare:

• One speech in prose from a play written after 2000
• One speech in verse (not prose) from a play written before 1800

For the speech in verse, you may select from the Elizabethan, Jacobean, ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration time periods, or select any international or contemporary play which is written in a poetic form. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led.

If you are selecting a play that is translated please ensure that the language is written in verse and remains poetic, rather than choosing a modern adaptation that may simplify the form and content. You may choose any gender for your selection.

Please note that both speeches must:

• Last no longer than two minutes each
• Be from a published play and intended for performance. Speeches should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts
• Involve a character close to your own age
• Be performed in your own accent

For in-person auditions, you will participate in a Movement and Improvisation workshop at your audition. There is nothing to prepare in advance.

For online auditions, you will be given a Physical Storytelling exercise to film and submit. You will be given full instructions to follow as part of this submission. Please be aware that there is not a right or wrong way to perform this task, we are interested in how you use your body to tell a story. The piece should be no more than 2 minutes long.

For in-person recalls, you will participate in a Storytelling workshop and an interview.

Candidates are asked to prepare:

• One speech in prose from a play written after 2000
• One speech in verse (not prose) from a play written before 1800
• Two contrasting songs

For the speech in verse, you may select from the Elizabethan, Jacobean, ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration time periods, or select any international or contemporary play which is written in a poetic form. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led.

If you are selecting a play that is translated please ensure that the language is written in verse and remains poetic, rather than choosing a modern adaptation that may simplify the form and content. You may choose any gender for your selection.

Please note that both speeches must:

• Last no longer than two minutes each
• Be from a published play and intended for performance. Speeches should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts
• Involve a character close to your own age
• Be performed in your own accent

Please note that songs:

• Must demonstrate two contrasting vocal approaches: a lyrical approach (associated with the term ‘legit’ in musical theatre singing) and a contemporary approach
• Can either both be from musicals or one can be from a musical and one from a genre of your choice
• Give you the opportunity to act through them
• Be performed in the key in which the music is written (the accompanist will not transpose into a different key should you be recalled)
• Must last no longer than three minutes each

The six volumes of The Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology (6 for each voice type: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone and Bass) represent an excellent source of material. Songs can be selected from those volumes or chosen freely from the musical theatre repertoire, provided that the contrast in vocal approaches is displayed.

For online auditions, you will also be asked to submit a self-tape where you perform a short dance routine and technical exercise. Instruction and choreography will be sent on application, and the required routine will take into consideration that you may have limited space to perform. 

For in-person recalls, you will participate in an Acting through Song and Dance workshop and an interview. There is nothing to prepare for this.

Candidates will be invited for an audition where you will be asked to perform two pieces that you have prepared; one classical and one musical theatre piece. You will then be asked to sight-read a piece of music and coach a singer.  

The audition will conclude with a short interview with the course leader, where you will have the opportunity to discuss previous experience and any questions you may have about the course. 

More information will be provided upon application.