Applying For Drama Schools: Be Prepared!

So you ve decided, you re going to go for it ! You re leaving school, the prospect of a permanent office job is out of the question and you simply exist to tread the boards. But as an aspiring actor it is notoriously tricky to get started, and more and more frequently, the advice given is that you cannot get far without training.

Each year, thousands of students apply for an incredibly limited number of spaces on acting courses and sadly an extremely large percentage of those who apply are turned down. With some schools professing that they accept a mere one percent of their applicants, and with courses catering for as few as fifteen pupils, it is no surprise that disappointment is felt by the majority of applicants.

So the question therefore stands: What can I do to get accepted? My advice be prepared.

Preparation in this regard comes in several forms physical, mental and paperwork! The process of auditioning for Drama school is often a very long and expensive procedure full of recalls, sometimes lasting for six months or so and with fees of up to £80 charged for the audition alone so organisation is integral to success.

In the lead up to an audition, the student should organise/consider/ask themselves the following:

The School is the course suitable for me? Does it fulfil my needs and desires? Have I researched enough? Do I understand what is expected of me? Did I attend open-days/make visits?Forms have I completed everything I have been asked to?Photographs have I sent a recent and appropriate photograph?CV and Personal Statement is my information up-to-date and does it show me in my best light?Fees an awkward topic to address, but can I afford to do this?Monologues/Songs have I chosen something that I feel comfortable doing in front of a panel? Have I prepared and explored them to the best of my ability? (Most schools will ask you to prepare at least 2 contrasting monologues, or for Musical Theatre, 2 contrasting songs)

If you have covered all these points thoroughly and can answer yes to most (if not all!) of the above, you are in a good place.

Now it is time for the audition itself. Start work on the pieces that you need to prepare as early as possible. The last thing you want in an audition under pressure is to be unsure of your material, so do yourself a favour and have it under your belt a long way in advance. This will enable you to relax and display your talent, as well as showcase what the school will be interested in investing in: You! Know that the audition panel want you to do well and will try to create an environment that benefits a natural performance. Be yourself and show them what you re made of!

It feels like my writing thus far is tinged with the scary facts of auditioning, so I want to conclude with my experience of this process and not make it scary in the slightest. I have briefly outlined some of the aspects of auditioning, which is all very well, but we must remember the goal: a long and happy career doing what we love. As an actor, singer and musician, I couldn t think of any other way I would wish to spend my days. My training has opened my eyes, brought me up to speed and equipped me with the skills needed to continue in this profession. I am sure that it will not be without difficulty, but I endeavour to continue doing what excites me, and meeting people who inspire me to go further in my work.

Training at Drama school has been a remarkable period of self-evaluation, learning and understanding, and I would be inclined to agree that it has been integral to me in my personal growth in the field. Therefore, if this is a path that you wish to follow, I would say go for it! and love every minute. But, do yourself a favour and: be prepared!