Guildhall School of Music & Drama announces overhaul of auditions for Acting programmes

Changes to come into effect for 2021 entry include:

• UK application fee for Acting programmes reduced from £66 to £35, a decrease of nearly 50%. This is a one-off fee for all three rounds of auditions
• This is the lowest single application fee of the major drama schools
• Major increase in nationwide auditions, to be held across six UK cities over 22 days: Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Nottingham
• First two rounds of nationwide auditions to be covered in one day to curb travel costs
• Continuation of support for applicants from underrepresented groups through a number of key initiatives including offering eligible candidates a free application and ongoing partnerships with external organisations such as Open Door

Today, Guildhall School of Music & Drama announces an overhaul of its auditions for Acting programmes, coming into effect when applications open for 2021 entry in September 2020.

The one-off fee to audition in the UK for Acting programmes will reduce from £66 to £35, a decrease of 47%. This is the most financially accessible one-off application/audition fee of the major drama schools and covers all three rounds of auditions. Guildhall School is also significantly increasing the number of cities nationwide it holds auditions in from two to six, taking place over 22 days each year in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Newcastle and Nottingham, as well as in London. The first two rounds at nationwide auditions will now be held on the same day, in an additional move to curb travel costs for applicants.

The application fee is used to contribute to the costs of Guildhall School’s rigorous and bespoke audition process. Students are not selected on academic qualifications or previous experience, but on talent and potential that is assessed in person. Panellists are employed in auditions from November through to May each year, seeing over 2,600 applicants on a panel-to-one basis. An applicant that makes it through to the final round of auditions at Guildhall School will have had significant intensive individual and group workshops and feedback from School staff and industry panellists.

Orla O’Loughlin, Vice-Principal and Director of Drama at Guildhall School says:
‘As one of the world’s leading conservatoires, Guildhall School has a responsibility to ensure our world class Acting training is accessible to as many potential students as possible. To this end, we already provide free applications for eligible undergraduate applicants alongside a number of dynamic access initiatives designed to encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds. 56% of Acting students receive some form of financial support*. This ongoing commitment to ensuring access to our programmes has resulted in our most representative cohort of actors on record, with 46% of our current intake identifying as BAME and a 50/50 gender balance across all our courses. Our ongoing partnerships with a range of external organisations, in particular Open Door and the Diversity School Initiative, have proved powerful catalysts for change, and I would like to acknowledge their invaluable support.

I hope that by substantially reducing the application fee and significantly increasing the geographical reach of our auditions we make a clear statement that Guildhall School continues to dismantle the long-standing barriers that exist for many when accessing drama school training. I recognise that there is still a long way to go and that, as a sector, we still have much work to do, but I am resolute that, in this sea-change moment for our industry, we ensure the opportunity for the brightest and most representative talent to flourish.’

Jodie Whittaker, Actor (star of Doctor Who) and Guildhall School alumna (2005) says: ‘I think it’s absolutely vital that in our industry we encourage and welcome anyone to audition for drama school. I am delighted that Guildhall School has taken these steps.’

Paapa Essiedu, Actor (Hamlet, Royal Shakespeare Company & Press, BBC) and Guildhall School alumnus (2012) says: ‘By halving the audition fee, Guildhall are making a step in the right direction towards telling people of all backgrounds “This place is for you too!” There’s no doubt that this will help to provide opportunities for prospective students who would otherwise have been priced out.’

Maureen Beattie OBE, President of Equity says: ‘This is fantastic news from Guildhall. The reduction in their already one-off application fee and their commitment to auditioning throughout the UK will bring the first rung of that ladder so much closer to the ground for everyone who dreams of making a career in the entertainment industry.’

These new measures will support the extensive work already being done to remove barriers from applying to and undertaking training at Guildhall School. Currently, over 50% of Guildhall School students receive some form of financial support, including 56% of Acting students*. As well as being committed to gender equality amongst acting staff and students, over the past year the percentage of new students from a BAME background on the BA & MA Acting course from all domiciles increased from 36% to 46%**.

The School already runs a number of initiatives and projects to encourage applications from those from underrepresented backgrounds:

• Supported Application Scheme: a programme of support offering eligible undergraduate applicants a free application, invitations to workshops and events, and advice and guidance throughout the audition process. For those successful in obtaining a place to study, additional support on scholarship applications and transition to the School is available
• Financial Support: over £2 million of scholarships is given to undergraduate and postgraduate students regardless of domicile; a hardship fund for students who find themselves in unexpected financial difficulties is also available during their course of study
• Guildhall Access Bursary: UK undergraduate students from low income households who qualify as care leavers, estranged or independent students can apply for a bursary between £3,000-£5,000 per year
• Participation Bursaries: full and partial funding for a number of the School’s short courses, providing a taste of what it is like to study at Guildhall School
• Drama outreach: graduates from Guildhall School’s Acting programme deliver workshops for free in a number of schools, colleges and youth theatres
• Tickets for shows: a number of complimentary tickets are made available for key performances at the School to schools and youth groups
• Open Door: Guildhall School is part of the scheme which offers free auditions, travel and theatre trips; fifteen hours of one-to-one tutoring; musical tutoring; bespoke workshops; and bursary/funding advice to successful applicants
• Diversity School Initiative: Guildhall School signed a three-year partnership with the Diversity School Initiative in March 2018 to address under-representation and diversity in UK drama schools

*correct as of May 2019
**correct as of 1st December 2019: figure includes BA & MA Acting students from the UK, EU and International