Drama Auditions - Preparation and Advice
Find out everything you need to know about preparing for the auditions, including advice from our audition panellists and what you'll need to prepare for each round of auditions
You are viewing:
What materials to prepare
What materials to prepare for the audition process
First round auditions are by submission of a pre-recorded video. Second round auditions and final recall auditions are in person.
What materials to prepare for the audition process
Monologues
First round auditions
Applicants are asked to prepare and learn two contrasting monologues.
One of the monologues should be a dramatic speech written in verse. Verse may be understood to mean writing in which words are arranged in a rhythmic pattern; it often looks distinctive on the page as it is set out in shorter lines than non-verse (prose) text.
Monologues should be taken from published plays; they may come from different eras but this is not a requirement.
Please note: unlike in previous audition years, applicants are no longer required to prepare a speech written by Shakespeare (or a Jacobean/Elizabethan playwright) nor are applicants required to include a monologue from a play written in the 21st century.
Applicants are not required to prepare a song for the first round audition or the second round audition.
Second round auditions
Applicants who progress to the second round audition stage should prepare a third contrasting monologue.
Final recall auditions
As well as the three monologues, applicants who progress to the final recall auditions should also prepare a short unaccompanied song.
The song may be taken from any genre, including pop, musical theatre or a traditional song. The song, which is not explored in all auditions, is approached in relation to communicating a human situation and connection to the language, rather than technical singing skill.
Second round auditions and final recall auditions
Applicants who progress to the second round or final recall auditions should not prepare different monologues to the first round audition.
Guidance for the first round audition
Guidance for the first round audition
The recorded audition must consist of two parts:
- An introduction about yourself
- Your two monologues
Please state your name, where you are from, tell us something about yourself, your interests and why you wish to train as an actor.
Before each monologue, introduce the piece with the name of the character you are playing, the play from which the speech originates, and the author. For example, “This is Rosalind from As You Like It by William Shakespeare”.
It is important that you read the whole of the plays from which your monologues are taken so that you understand the character and the context properly.
The maximum length of the introduction and monologues is two minutes each. Your recording will be 6 minutes in total: please do not extend it beyond this time limit.
All audition materials must be performed in English.
- Do not refer to any notes or script
- Look directly into the camera for the introduction
- Deliver your monologues either with your eyeline slightly off-frame (i.e. not down the lens) or directly to camera. If possible, have someone standing just to side of the camera, out of shot, for you to talk to.
- It is helpful if one of your monologues is close to you in age and life experience.
- Be simple and truthful
- It is perfectly acceptable if you work on your monologues on your own. The Audition Panel is interested in what you have to offer, not a teacher's or a friend's interpretation of the monologues.
- If you are also applying to other drama schools which set specific monologues for applicants, try and find something different for Guildhall.
Please note that Guildhall cannot give advice or guidance about specific monologues. It is up to you to find and choose them.
- Your audition video can be recorded using a smartphone camera (i.e. iPhone, Samsung, Huawei, etc.). You do not need a professional grade camera.
- When recording your audition video, try to use a room that has privacy, some space to move and very little or no background noise.
- If possible, position your equipment in front of a plain wall and place it so that the main light source comes from behind the camera and that the image clearly shows your head, shoulders and torso.
- Record your audition video in landscape orientation
- Do not stand too far away from the camera
- Do not stand in front of a window as this will create a silhouette and the Audition Panel may find it difficult to see you.
- If you are using a smartphone, to maintain a steady image, it should ideally sit on a tripod (or similar device) or ensure it is on a stable surface where it cannot move.
- Take some time to experiment with different ways of making sure your smartphone is secure if you do not have a tripod, for example, fix it to a can or bottle with an elastic band to keep it in place.
- If you are filming your submission in one continuous take, leave a brief pause between the end of your first speech and the beginning of your second.
Watch our video for advice and tips for recording your audition video from Graduate Audition Panellists Matti Houghton and Ashley Zhangazha, including advice on your background, lighting, camera position and framing.
You are required to submit your audition video file through the School’s online audio visual platform, Guildhall Stream.
Guildhall Stream - Acting Audition Video eSubmission - Uploading Instructions (accessible).pdf
IMPORTANT: We strongly advise you to submit one file which contains all required elements, rather than three separate files. This could be one continuous take, or the three elements edited together. If you are unable to do this, you may submit three separate files.
You must rename your file(s) using your 7-digit application number only (do not include your name or any other information), example below:
2110978
Failure to rename your file(s) with your 7-digit application number may mean the Audition Panel is unable to locate and review your video(s). Please refer to the guidance document PDF above for information on uploading.
.
First round audition outcome
Notification of the outcome
We will send you an email within four weeks of the video upload deadline date, informing you of the Audition Panel’s decision. Please note that this is four weeks from the final date for submission stated in your e-mail, not from the date you submitted your audition video.
Feedback on your submission
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback for audition videos.
Need to contact us?
If you encounter any problems uploading your file please contact av@gsmd.ac.uk
If you need clarification on any of the instructions, or have any questions about the process please contact acting_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
Preparing for second round auditions and final recall auditions
Preparing for second round auditions and final recall auditions
Support during in person, live auditions
The Audition Panel understands that, inevitably, you will be nervous and having faced auditions themselves, will be sympathetic. Usually, during second round auditions and final recall auditions, there will be an Audition Steward who is either a graduate of our Acting programme or a current student, to show you where to go and to help you. They will prompt if you 'dry' in second round auditions; ensure you have copies of your monologues with you.
There will usually be a table and a couple of chairs available should you need them.
Do not worry if the Audition Panel stops you midway through a monologue or makes notes. It may be more useful for the Panel to spend longer in discussion with you.
Our Audition Panel members
The Audition Panels for first round auditions are comprised of graduates of the Acting programme. As graduates of the School, and with significant experience of working in the profession, the first round Audition Panel members fully appreciate the rigours of the three-year Acting programme. Consequently, they are in an informed position to understand the nature of the audition process and the Acting training which the School offers.
Audition Panels for second round auditions are comprised of members of the core academic staff of the Drama department and graduates of the Acting programme.
The Audition Panels for final recall auditions are comprised of members of the core academic staff of the Drama department, graduates of the Acting programme and may also include external practitioners.
Admissions complaints procedure
There may be occasions where an applicant considers that Guildhall School has failed to meet its high standards in the consideration of their application. If this is the case, please follow the Admissions Complaints procedure.
