Audition Guidelines

Multimedia

For hints and tips on how to audition for a Drama School, and what ALRA are looking for please watch the two interview videos:

Video 1

Video 2

Downloads:

pdfAudition Guidelines and Visitors Information - North

pdfAudition Guidelines and Visitors Information - South

You need to: 

  • prepare 2 audition monologues* each lasting no longer than 2 minutes: 
    • one from a contemporary play (after 1990, but not any play by Stephen Berkoff, Sarah Kane or John Godber) 
    • one from Shakespeare (but not non-human characters like ‘Puck’ from A Midsummer Night’s Dream or ‘Ariel’ from The Tempest, or any ‘Chorus’) 

* Monologues – please make sure you have read the plays your monologues come from. Be sure your monologue works as a stand alone speech and does not require input from another character. Your speech must be taken from an existing play, and not a book of solo speeches. (Speeches found in monologue anthologies are acceptable provided you have read the play from which they are taken.) 

We want you to: 

  •  choose pieces that match your age & gender and do not require a change of accent. 
  • choose pieces that demonstrate communication with another character(s). 
  • choose pieces that have an emotional journey. 
  • choose pieces that have a significant moment of change. 
  • work without props or special costume. 
  • avoid using chairs. Although it is acceptable to sit down, to remain seated throughout the speech gives us less opportunity to assess your physical characterisation. 
  • learn your pieces. 
  • wear suitable clothes which enable you to move freely and to allow tutors to assess posture and movement. Female applicants should avoid skirts. All applicants should avoid low cut/hipster trousers cropped and low cut tops. For the movement session we advise you to bring movement clothes (leotard and tights). The movement session requires you to be bare footed and to work without any jewellery. 

We are looking for these qualities: 

  • thorough preparation 
  • ability to create and sustain a character within an imagined world 
  • evidence of thought and feeling behind the actions and words 
  • ability to take direction (to hear an instruction and adapt own performance accordingly) 
  • ability to communicate text 
  • ability to express thought and feeling through movement and voice 
  • self-confidence focus and concentration 
  • spontaneity and immediacy 
  • openness and responsiveness to others 
  • imagination and creativity 
  • evidence of stamina, rhythm and co-ordination 
  • an interest in the craft of acting and in the professional world of acting  

We aim to ensure that you will enjoy all aspects of the auditioning process and feel stretched by it. You will be auditioned in depth and will have every opportunity to show your skills. 

We advise you to arrive at 9:00am to register as the audition process begins at 9:15am.

Please note, there may be different start times for auditions that do not take place at ALRA South or ALRA North.

9:15am Welcome You will be welcomed by a senior member of staff and introduced to student helpers. The day’s events are explained. 
9:30am 
STAGE 1

Warm-up 
Games

Modern speech

After a group warm-up which is designed to put you at your ease whilst warming up your voice and body, you will be put into a group of between 10-15 applicants to work with a senior member of staff and current ALRA students. 

You will present your modern speech to with the rest of your group present. 
11:00am Break  
11:15am Shakespeare speech You will present your Shakespeare speech solo to a second member of staff. 
12:15pm

Panel review applicants’ work. 

Successful candidates will go to Stage 2 

You will have a break and can view the college with the student helpers. 

You will be told whether you have progressed to Stage 2. 

12:45pm 

STAGE 2 

 Movement & Improvisation If you reach Stage 2 you will take part in a movement workshop and an improvisation workshop.
2:15pm

Panel review applicants work. 

Successful candidates will go to Stage 3 

 After a break, you will be told whether you have progressed to Stage 3.

2:30pm

STAGE 3

 Vocal Assessment & Interview If you reach stage 3 you will have a vocal assessment (see below) and be interviewed by the audition panel. The interview lasts between 5–10 minutes. 
3:45pm Funding and Admin Talk You will receive a 15 minute talk from the Registrar on funding, and the offer process.
4:00pm  Finish You will be notified of the outcome in writing within 7-10 days.

Vocal Assessment 

Candidates will be given a short passage (around 10 lines) to read to the panel. 

N.B. You are not required to have RP to join the course; this exercise is for ALRA to assess your clarity of speech (i.e. can you be understood by someone from a different region?) and vocal ability; advice may be given to the candidate. You will be given sufficient time to study the passage and be offered relevant help where required, e.g. in case of disability. If you require a large-print copy, or the text to be printed on coloured paper, please let us know if and when you reach Stage 3. 

ALRA operates an Equal Opportunities Policy: all candidates will be assessed on their potential to meet the demands of the course and considered entirely on the basis of merit. Those showing the most aptitude at audition will be considered for Dance and Drama Awards, taking into account their financial circumstances.  

The audition panel makes the final decision regarding entry to ALRA and we aim to notify you in writing within one week. Successful applicants will have demonstrated a significant degree of talent, ability, preparation, aptitude and commitment as well as the ability to make a positive contribution to, and benefit from, the Acting Course. 

N.B. Due to the volume of applicants, we are not able to provide feedback on unsuccessful auditions

In 2009/10, we auditioned more than 1200 applicants. Due to the large numbers of candidates applying, we regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback. The decision of the school is final.

ALRA operates an Equal Opportunities Policy: all candidates will be assessed on their potential to meet the demands of the course and considered entirely on the basis of merit. Those showing the most aptitude at audition will be considered for Dance and Drama Awards, taking into account their financial circumstances.

The audition panel makes the final decision regarding entry to ALRA. We aim to notify you of the outcome of your audition within one week. Successful applicants will have demonstrated a significant degree of talent, ability, preparation, aptitude and commitment as well as the ability to make a positive contribution to, and benefit from, the Acting Course.

ALRA Audition Appeals Procedure 

Unsuccessful applicants have the right of appeal. This Appeals Procedure is available upon request.

Eligibility

  • Applicants who have attended an audition for the Three Year or One Year Acting course, can legitimately appeal their decision.
  • Appeals will only be considered where it is claimed that there were irregularities in the audition/interview procedure.
  • The professional judgment of the audition panel is not considered an eligible subject for appeal. Candidates are required to sign a Declaration on their application form agreeing to abide by the decision of the staff of ALRA regarding their application for entry to the school. 

Making the appeal

  • The appeal should be made in writing by the person who signed the original application form. If the unsuccessful applicant is under 18, the appeal should be made by their parent/carer.
  • Appeals should be addressed to the Registrar.
  • The grounds for appeal must be clearly stated and supported where possible by supplementary evidence. 
  • Appeals should be post-marked within 14 days following the initial notification of failure to obtain an award, or access to written appeals procedure.
  • Receipt of appeals will be acknowledged within 7-10 days. 

How the appeal is conducted

  • Appeals are administered by the Registrar. The Registrar is the sole point of contact during the appeal process.
  • If an appeal is considered eligible, ALRA will undertake a review of the candidate’s application and audition process to assess whether any irregularities occurred.
  • The outcome of the appeal will be handled by a senior member of staff not involved in the application/audition process 

The appeal outcome

  • If an appeal is upheld the candidate will be reassessed at a fresh audition.
  • If an appeal is denied, no further action will be taken.
  • Unsuccessful candidates will be notified in writing of the result of their appeal within 7 days of establishing the outcome.

Feedback from Auditionees

'Had a brilliant time at the audition, everyone was really down to earth and friendly, and made me feel comfortable. I wasn't nervous at all! As soon as I saw the school and its atmosphere I fell in love! Thank you!'

Harriet Emery [Auditionee 2011]

'Thank you for the opportunity, and for providing a thoroughly enjoyable experience... even if I don't get a place I have loved the experience.'

Natasha Davidson [Auditionee 2011]

'Thank you so much for the effort you made to get through the snow. I can't imagine many other people doing that - it really says a lot about ALRA and has put you apart from other schools for me.'

Stephanie Rutherford [Auditionee 2011]