MA Acting for Stage, Screen & Radio Course
Audition Guidance
Once we receive your application form we will use the
information you have provided to arrange a suitable audition date
for you. We have a limited number of audition days within which to
accommodate a large number of applicants who apply from September
onwards, and spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis.
Please note that, whilst we try our best to accommodate your
availability and preferred audition location, we are not always
able to do so.
First-Round Auditions Dates
Each year we hold first-round auditions in Cardiff, London,
Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast between January and March
for entry in the same year.
In Cardiff, we hold auditions on Fridays throughout January and
March, and for two consecutive weeks in February.
Auditions will also be held in New
York for international applicants in January/February 2011
or alternatively you can apply by recording.
External Audition Dates
| Location |
Dates |
| London |
February/March 2011 |
| Edinburgh |
February/March 2011 |
| Manchester |
February/March 2011 |
| Belfast |
February/March 2011 |
First-Round Audition Locations
The venues in London, Edinburgh, Manchester and
Belfast for February and March 2011 are currently TBC and will be
confirmed in the autumn 2010.
| Cardiff |
Aberdare House
Mount Stuart Square
Cardiff
CF10 5FJ
Travel Information |
| London |
TBC -
Royal Court Theatre
Sloane Square
London
SW1W 8AS
Travel
Information |
| Edinburgh |
TBC -
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
13-29 Nicolson Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9FT
Travel
Information |
| Manchester |
TBC -
Green Rooms
54-56 Whitworth St West
Manchester
M1 5WW
Travel
Information |
| Belfast |
TBC -
Shakespeare Rooms
The Grand Opera House
2 Great Victoria Street
Belfast
BT2 7HR
Travel
Information |
Recall Audition
Location & Dates
Recall auditions are held between March and May. All the recall
auditions will be held on the main College campus in the city
centre - Royal Welsh College of Music &
Drama, Castle Grounds, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3ER.
Your Audition
Acting candidates should prepare two contrasting speeches
lasting no longer than two minutes each. One piece should be
Elizabethan or Jacobean and the other modern/contemporary
(20th/21st century).
Candidates will be taken as a group to a rehearsal room where
they will be invited to perform their chosen pieces, in turn, to an
audition panel comprised of members of the acting programme staff
and external, professional practitioners. Please note that your
speech may be interrupted if it runs over two minutes.
We will inform you in writing whether we are able to invite you
to attend a recall audition.
Recall Auditions
Candidates attending recall auditions are required to undertake
further preparation. You should prepare an additional two
contrasting pieces in accordance with the guidelines above. You
should also learn any one song, which you should be prepared to
sing unaccompanied. You do not need to imitate the original artist.
The song may be in any language but should last no longer than two
minutes.
You will work with the panel on material which may include
improvisation, your original speeches and previously unseen texts.
You will also participate in a movement workshop, a singing
workshop and a short, informal interview.
We will inform you in writing whether we are able to offer you a
place.
Feedback
Due to the large numbers of candidates attending auditions, we
regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback. The
decision of the panel is final.
Advice to Candidates
The College places a high value on:
- The ability to 'inhabit' a character - to understand and reveal
their complex psychology
- Willingness to take risks, but to exercise some sophistication
in their execution
- Generosity in working with others
- Technical and expressive ability in voice, movement and
singing
- An active interest in, and knowledge of, theatre and related
performing arts
- Life experience - we encourage applicants from a wide age
range
- Applications from candidates whose first or second language is
Welsh
We also make the following specific recommendations:
- Make sure that you are secure in remembering the pieces you
select
- Avoid over-used speeches. If you have selected a piece from an
audition book, the chances are that the panel may have seen the
piece performed many times before
- Avoid speeches by characters much older than yourself, unless
the sentiments within it are universal
- Avoid using an accent other than your own, unless you are
absolutely secure in it
- Avoid telephone speeches
- Avoid using props unless absolutely essential
- Wear appropriate clothing which will allow you to move easily
and comfortably
- Do not use props
- Enjoy the experience!