BA (Hons) Acting Course
Audition Guidance
When we receive your UCAS application form we will send you a
letter, audition guidance booklet and an audition form. The
letter will specify a deadline before which you must complete and
return the audition form. Only when we receive your audition form
we will be able to arrange an audition for you. We have a limited
number of audition days within which to accommodate a large number
of applicants who may 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 Audition Dates
Each year we hold first-round auditions in Cardiff, London,
Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast (TBC) between January and March
for entry in the same year. Auditions will also be held in New York for international applicants at the end
of January 2010 or alternatively you can apply by recording.
In Cardiff, we hold auditions on Fridays throughout January and
March 2010, and daily between the 8th - 19th February 2010.
External Audition Dates
| Location |
Dates |
| London |
Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th March 2010 |
| Edinburgh |
Monday 15th March 2010 |
| Manchester |
Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd March 2010 |
| Belfast |
Saturday 27th February 2010 |
First-Round Audition Locations
Recall Audition
Location & Dates
Recall auditions are
held between March and May 2010. 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 if you have been successful at
this stage and 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, previously unseen texts and one or more of your
original speeches. 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
- Wear appropriate clothing which will allow you to move easily
and comfortably
- Do not use props
- Enjoy the experience!