If you are auditioning for our School of Acting (BA Hons Acting, Foundation Acting, MA Acting) you’ll need to prepare and send a self-taped audition as part of your application.

Self-tapes are part of everyday life for a professional actor; they’ve been used in the TV and film industry for many years and are increasingly used for theatre auditions as well. But if you’re just starting out on your actor training journey, we understand that self-tapes can be a bit of a mystery, even quite daunting.

Don’t worry! We’ve got you.

ArtsEd’s Director of the School of Acting, an Actor and Director, Kim Vithana, has provided some top tips for auditionees applying to our School of Acting. Keep reading for her guide to a successful self-tape.

For details on what you need to present in your tapes and how to choose a monologue, please visit our auditions page and select the course you are applying for.

Kim’s steps to self-tape success

You must record a brief ident to introduce yourself by stating your:

• Name
• Age
• Where you’re from
• The pieces you are presenting (name of character and play)

Your ident should be delivered straight to the camera, and my top tip is: don’t overthink this bit! Treat your ident as the equivalent of walking into a room and introducing yourself to the panel – show us a bit of your personality. Be enthusiastic about the characters you’ve chosen. If you’re engaging in your ident, we’ll be more engaged when watching you!

Let’s cover the technical aspects of filming your pieces:

• For the classical piece, you should film yourself in a ‘wide’ shot (meaning we want to see you full-length or as much of your body as the space will allow). Your classical piece should be treated like a soliloquy, and be delivered straight to camera.
• Your contemporary piece should be filmed as a close up of your face – but not too close! Head and shoulders are fine. The contemporary piece can be delivered in the same way as your classical, or it can be aimed just above the camera if that makes sense for the piece.
• Always film self-tapes Landscape not portrait.

My main piece of advice regarding the positioning of the camera and body/face is that we don’t want to see the side of your face!

How to perform your acting monologues for audition:

1. My first top tip is this: do not attempt to do ‘acting for camera’. We want to see a theatrical performance.
2. If you are recalled to the second round, which will be in-person, part of that audition will be a screen test. At the first self-tape stage we want to see how you would perform as if you were in the room with us.
3. Use your natural voice – don’t affect an accent or do a ‘voice’ to fit the character. We want to hear YOU.
4. Wear comfortable clothing. Don’t attempt to dress as the character or wear a costume.
5. No make-up, and hair should be tied back so that we can see your face.
6. Don’t use props.
7. Don’t use background music.
8. Please don’t overthink it or attempt to film multiple takes in order to choose the ‘best’ one. You should film each monologue no more than 3 times and choose the best one from the 3 to send to us.
9. Don’t copy a famous version of your chosen monologue from YouTube!

What are we looking for in our Acting auditionees?

This is one of the most common questions we are asked regarding applications and auditions, and the answer is actually very simple.

• We want to see YOU and who you are!
• We want to see your enthusiasm (for the piece and for the process).
• We’re looking for your commitment to the choices you make. We may not agree with your choices, but that’s fine as long as you commit to them.
• Be bold!
• We’re interested in the decisions that you make as an actor and how you have interpreted the pieces. Make them your own.
• There is only one of YOU – we are looking for the unique qualities that make you who you are, so show us. We want to see your individual creativity.

Here’s my final top tip, and it’s a very important one:

• We are not looking for perfection or for the finished product, meaning we do not expect you to be a polished, trained actor – that’s what drama school is for! We are looking for potential.

Be brave, be bold and enjoy yourself. I look forward to seeing your tapes.

Kim Vithana

DOs and DON’Ts for your acting audition:

We are delighted to announce that two of eight nominations in The Stage Debut awards have gone to recent alumni of ArtsEd’s BA (Hons) Acting course.

Samuel Creasey (2020) has been nominated for his “ hugely endearing performance” as Malcolm, the lead role in Philip Pullman’s THE BOOK OF DUST at the Bridge Theatre.

Michael Workeye (2019) has been nominated for his “scene-stealing turn as younger brother and aspiring grime artist Yosi, full of swagger and surliness” in THE HOUSE OF IFE at The Bush Theatre.

The Stage Debut awards, in association with ATG, recognise breakthrough theatre talent and categories include emerging writers, designers, directors and composers, as well as performers.

The Stage editor Alistair Smith said:

“Judging these awards has, as ever, been a complete joy. We have a wonderful set of nominees. They reflect the artistic flair, skill and diversity of the next generation of theatrical talent who will ensure that British theatre thrives in the years to come. We can’t wait to celebrate their achievements next month.”

Mark Cornell, chief executive officer of ATG, said:

“ATG is thrilled to be supporting British theatre’s emerging talent through The Stage Debut Awards. At ATG we know that people are at the heart of successful theatre and that new ideas and voices are essential to bringing great live experiences to new audiences. We look forward to being part of an exceptional night celebrating professional debuts at these awards.”

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on September 18 2022.

You can read the full list of nominees here.

We are proud to announce a superb crop of BTEC and A Level results secured by our sixth formers this year. 

We have been delighted to welcome back friends and family this year to see students showcase their talents in a full schedule of productions, both in-house and beyond, including at the Lyric Hammersmith and the Pleasance. Our school Prize Giving Ceremony in July at the Cambridge Theatre was a particular highlight for the Sixth Formers. Enjoying a full year of face-to-face academic studies has also been a pleasure for students and staff alike.

Students enjoyed success in both BTEC and A-Levels:

BTEC

• 96% secured D*D*D* to DDD (Distinction star to Distinction). This is equivalent in UCAS points to 3 A*’s to 3 A’s at A level.
• 74% received D*D*D* (equivalent to 3 A*’s at A level)

A-Level:

• 85% of A Levels taken were graded A*- C,
• 54% of A Levels taken were graded A*- B

Combined: (including BTEC equivalent UCAS points)

• 90% of all exams taken were graded or equivalent to A*- B

Mark Ferrington, Director of Sixth Form said

After a tough few years, I am thrilled to see that dedication and hard work of our young people has paid off with a fantastic set of results. We hope that the students are as proud of their achievements as we are!

Lizzie Bellamy, Head of BTEC, had the following message for students:

Congratulations to our Year 13 students. You should be proud of what you have each achieved. You have shown great strength and vigour throughout the past two years. I hope you can all look back on your journey with us with pride, knowing that you can overcome any challenge if you put your mind to it. We look forward to hearing of your future successes. Keep motivated, open, and share your creative voice.

If you are interested in learning more about life at ArtsEd Day School and Sixth Form, why not join us at our upcoming Open Evenings this September!   Register today and share the link with others who might be interested.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

ArtsEd is delighted to welcome Brian Brodie as their new Chair of Trustees. 

Brian joins ArtsEd at an exciting time for the organisation, with a new senior leadership team in place, strong 2022/23 cohorts recruited across the degree courses and the independent Day School & Sixth Form and a recently extended and refurbished building.  

Brian is currently Chief Executive Officer of Finance Freedom. He has had a wide and varied career in financial Services and a deep love of dance stemming from the passion his three daughters have for the art form. The many hours spent at dance school with them exposed Brian to ballet, tap, modern and contemporary dance and he saw first-hand, the positive impact of the performing arts, on both a personal and a social level. He has since supported his youngest daughter through her degree at London Studio Centre.  

With a strong desire to see the arts flourish, as well as a personal desire for schools to hear a parent’s voice, Brian joined the board of the Royal Academy of Dance. During his time on the board the RAD changed their syllabus and agreed a deal to move to a new purpose-built home in Battersea. After leaving RAD, Brian chaired the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds, steering them through their exit from the Conservatoire of Dance and Drama and setting them on the path to becoming an HEI in their own right. 

His combination of business expertise and Board experience equip Brian perfectly to support ArtsEd as it continues to develop its provision of world-leading vocational training. 

On his appointment, Brian said: 

“I am delighted to be joining ArtsEd and look forward to working with the team to deliver an exceptional learning experience for all.” 

ArtsEd Principal, Dr Julie Spencer, said: 

“I am thrilled that the Board have appointed Brian Brodie as the new Chair. Brian’s wealth of business experience and ambition, alongside his innovative ideas will ensure the continued development of ArtsEd as a provider of uniquely inclusive, contemporary, and world-leading vocational training.” 

ArtsEd School of Acting students, Daniel Apea and Eliza Parry Williams have been awarded financial bursaries to help them complete their training, having successfully auditioned for and been interviewed by a panel of theatre professionals.

A total of £77,500 in Laurence Olivier Bursaries for 2022 is to be received by talented students from 19 drama schools across the UK, awarded by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT).

We are thrilled that Daniel has been given the top award, The Sir Peter and Lady Saunders Laurence Olivier Bursary, which is donated by the Estate of Sir Peter and Lady Saunders.

Eliza is among the recipients of the Laurence Olivier Bursary, donated by SOLT.

Established by SOLT in 1987 to mark Laurence Olivier’s 80th birthday, the Laurence Olivier Bursaries provide financial support to exceptional students entering their final year of drama school, and facing financial difficulties which might jeopardise their studies.

Previous bursary winners have included Denise Gough, Bryony Hannah, Paterson Joseph, Ewan McGregor, Daniel Rigby, Vinette Robinson, Juma Sharkah, Michaela Coel and Michael Sheen.

Nominees, put forward by drama school principals across the UK, are auditioned on a West End stage and interviewed by a panel of theatre industry professionals, led by West End producer and Chair of the Laurence Olivier Bursaries Committee, Lee Menzies. This year’s auditions took place at St Martin’s Theatre earlier this month.

Well done both of you! We’re immensely proud and look forward to seeing you light up stage and screen in your third, and final, year of training with us.

Sam Creasey (BA Acting 2020) and Gabrielle Creevy (BA Acting 2018) have been nominated for the Breakthrough Artist category in the upcoming South Bank Sky Arts Awards.

They take two of just 10 nominations, that include Emilia Jones for CODA and pop duo Wet Leg.

The South Bank Sky Arts Awards, the first and only awards ceremony to celebrate every genre of the arts, including Dance, Theatre, Pop, TV Drama, Film, Classical Music, Literature, Opera, Comedy and Visual Art – returns on Sunday 10 July at The Savoy Hotel, hosted by Melvyn Bragg.  Previous winners of the Breakthrough Artist category include playwright Samuel Bailey, actors Jessie Buckley and Tom Hiddleston, and musicians Nubya Garcia and Stormzy.

Sam has been nominated for his debut role as Malcolm Polstead, the young hero of the Bridge Theatre’s adaptation of Philip Pullman’s fantasy novel The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage.  Cast just before he graduated in March 2020, Sam finally stepped in front of the audience in November 2021 to outstanding reviews across the board.

Clive Davis of the Times says of Sam:

“What was immediately obvious was that he possessed natural stage presence. There was a rare aura of confidence about him too: it’s hard to believe that when he first took the coach to London from south Wales to begin his drama course, he spent half an hour in the capital, had a coffee, then jumped on the next coach home.”

Gabrielle has been nominated for her role as Bethan, a working-class Cardiff schoolgirl from a troubled home in the magnificent BBC3 drama In My Skin, a role for which she secured a BAFTA in 2019.  Carol Midgely of The Times describes Gabrielle’s performance as:

 “unforgettable, an exquisite balance of the tragic and bleakly comic and so masterfully authentic that sometimes you could be watching a documentary. Creevy ..plays the 16-year-old Bethan beautifully, and with such intelligence and nuance in a totally immersive performance, that it is obvious she is an acting force to be reckoned with.”

You can find out more about the awards here.

We are immensely proud of both Sam and Gabrielle.

Our Part-Time Foundation Courses in Acting and Musical Theatre are designed for people who can’t study full-time right now but who are looking to develop their skills and boost their confidence.

Here are five reasons why you should consider applying for ArtsEd’s Part-Time Foundation courses:-

1. ArtsEd is one of the UK’s leading drama schools
Our training is outstanding, demonstrated by the success of graduates from our BA courses in Acting and Musical Theatre.  100% of our 2021 graduates have signed with an agent and over 50% of our 2022 Musical Theatre graduates have already secured jobs, and they only finished their final year of study in June!  In  May 2021 ArtsEd was in the top 10 British Universities for best graduate prospects, alongside Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College – Office for Students report.

2. They are the perfect preparation for auditions or the industry
Our part-time foundation courses are the perfect kick-start to your Acting or Musical Theatre career! Designed to equip you with the core skills and the confidence to launch yourself onto a full-time course or straight into the industry.

3. They fit perfectly around work or study
Classes take place on weekday evenings, over two intensive terms, fitting seamlessly around your job or other study. Sessions are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7.00pm – 9.30pm.

4. Our facilities are excellent
Both courses are based in our recently expanded and upgraded Chiswick home, with new studios and rehearsal spaces, equipped to degree-level specifications, as well as airy welcoming communal spaces.

5. They are economical
At £3,060 or £3,570 are part-time courses are an economical way to hone your skills and explore the benefits and the challenges of vocational training.  What better way to confirm that this is the path you want to follow!

Did you know?
70% of our Part-Time Foundation students received recalls and offers from top drama schools.

The ArtsEd Choir (made up of graduating third year students on our BA Musical Theatre degree course) did us proud at the 2022 Olivier Awards ceremony, taking to the stage alongside professional performers to sing Stephen Sondheim’s Our Time. A fitting tribute to Sondheim and an acknowledgement of the incredible efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic to keep theatre alive.

Students studying our Musical Theatre joined the audience at Royal Albert Hall to support their third years, and rubbed shoulders with some celebs as they entered via the ‘Green Carpet’.

Enjoy the whole video below, or skip to 3 minutes when our Choir join the pros and take their place as the next cohort of graduates about to head out into the industry!

Easter is just around the corner and ArtsEd EXTRA has a host of exciting Easter courses to keep you occupied!

Our holiday short courses are ideal for anyone interested in the performing arts and are led by our amazing team of workshop leaders.

We have courses in: Musical Theatre | Acting | Filmmaking

All courses are created to suit every level of ability and experience, so if you’re a beginner you’re very welcome to start your journey with us, and for those with more skills and experience, you’ll be encouraged to challenge yourself to improve. Classes are fun-filled and operate in a safe, collaborative, and inclusive environment here at our Chiswick location, home to our brand new studios and facilities!

On offer this Easter…

• Mini Musical (4 – 6 yrs)
• Play in a Week! (7 – 10 yrs)
• Acting for Stage & Screen (11 – 15 yrs)
• Acting for Stage & Screen (16+ yrs)
• West End Week (11 – 15 yrs)
• West End Week Pro (16+ yrs)
• Jukebox Musical (7 – 10 yrs)
• Jukebox Musical (11 – 13 yrs)
• Actors Toolbox (11 – 15 yrs)
• Musical Theatre Youth (11 – 15 yrs)
• Musical Theatre Pro (16+ yrs)

To explore these courses, head to our Holiday and Weekend page here, where you can filter the courses on to ‘Easter’ and then click for more info and to book.

If you have any questions prior to booking, don’t hesitate to contact: extra@artsed.co.uk