Auditions

Overview
The 1^st round auditions for BA Acting will take place online. You will need to film yourself performing two audition speeches at home and as per the instructions below. You will then combine these two speeches into a single video, which you will upload for our audition panel to assess.

2nd round recalls will be in person at ArtsEd in Chiswick and will involve you spending a day working with course tutors and getting a real sense of life at drama school.

1^st Round Requirements:

Please prepare two speeches, each no more than two minutes long.

You can film your speeches on your phone or however, is most convenient for you. We are not looking for ‘production value’, we simply wish to see you perform to the best of your ability. Both speeches must be submitted together on one video, this can be edited together from two separate takes.

One speech should be from a modern play written after 1990, and the other from a classical play using heightened language.  This could be Shakespeare, but we also welcome classical pieces from across the globe.  Both pieces should be within your acting age and should be performed in English.  Ideally, you should choose contrasting speeches to demonstrate your ability to play different characters, though your choices to not have to be restricted by gender. We encourage you to use your natural or heritage voice.

Please find suggested example audition speeches via the button below:

Audition Speeches

Recalls:

The audition panel will review your video and, if successful, you will be recalled for a 2nd round recall audition.  These auditions will be in person at ArtsEd in Chiswick.

We aim to get back to you with the panel’s decision within four weeks of the deadline. Please be patient if you haven’t heard from us within this timeframe, we will have a lot of video submissions to assess and we want to make sure we give them the time they deserve.

Full details of the 2^nd Round audition format, and what you will need to prepare, will be provided in plenty of time for your chosen recall date.

All auditionees for our three-year degree course will also be considered for our 1 year, full-time Foundation Course. You can find out more about the course “https://artsed.co.uk/course/foundation/foundation-in-acting/”

Overview

The 1^st round auditions for Full-time Foundation – Acting will take place online. You will need to film yourself performing two audition speeches at home and as per the instructions below. You will then combine these two speeches into a single video, which you will upload for our audition panel to assess.

2nd round recalls will be in person at our Chiswick home and will involve you spending a day working with course tutors and getting a real sense of life at ArtsEd.

1^st Round Requirements:

Please prepare two speeches, each no more than two minutes long.

You can film your speeches on your phone or however is most convenient for you. We are not looking for ‘production value’, we simply wish to see you perform to the best of your ability. Both speeches must be submitted together on one video, this can be edited together from two separate takes.

One speech should be from a modern play written after 1990, and the other from a classical play using heightened language.  This could be Shakespeare, but we also welcome classical pieces from across the globe.  Both pieces should be within your acting age and should be performed in English.  Ideally, you should choose contrasting speeches to demonstrate your ability to play different characters, though your choices to not have to be restricted by gender. We encourage you to use your natural or heritage voice.

For more information on how to prepare for the 1st Round visit Self-Tape Advice for Acting Auditionees.

Recalls:

The audition panel will review your video and, if successful, you will be recalled for a 2nd round recall audition.  These auditions will be in person in London.

We aim to get back to you with the panel’s decision within four weeks of the deadline. Please be patient if you haven’t heard from us within this timeframe, we will have a lot of video submissions to assess and we want to make sure we give them the time they deserve.

Full details of the 2nd round audition format, and what you will need to prepare, will be provided in plenty of time for your chosen recall date.

Overview

Auditions for our BA Musical Theatre course take place in person at our Chiswick home, or at one of our regional audition locations.  The 1^st and 2^nd rounds take place on the same day. If auditioning onsite, it will also include a tour of the facilities and an opportunity to talk to staff and students.

Recalls are scheduled as necessary and will also take place at ArtsEd.

Once you have applied, we will send you full details of the format of the day as well as a full version of the audition requirements outlined below.

1st Round:

Sign in: 9:30am

(9.00am for auditions during half term – please check your e-mail)

Greeting from the Director of the School of Musical Theatre and the CertHE Foundation Musical Theatre Course Leader, followed by a vocal warm-up delivered by a Senior Music Tutor.

Please note: candidates will be split into two groups; one group will sing first, and one group will dance first and then both groups will swap.

Dance Audition:

Candidates will take part in a group jazz class led by a senior member of dance staff and overseen by the Head of Dance.

We welcome applicants of all levels of experience to apply. Please don’t be concerned if you haven’t danced before, or are new to dancing, all movements will be explained and demonstrated on the day.

All applicants are required to dress appropriately in form fitting dance/sports attire with either jazz shoes, foot thongs or bare feet. All jewelry must be removed for safety reasons.

What are we looking for? 

We will be looking closely at how you learn; how you listen and respond to instructions; how well you can apply the technique you are taught to the choreography; your acting through dance – the characterisation, expressiveness and creativity you bring to the routine.

Singing Audition:

For your singing audition at ArtsEd, we would like you to prepare two contrasting Musical Theatre songs. Candidates should prepare the songs in full. Sheet music in the right key must be brought for both songs.

1st Round Requirements:

In the first round, we would like to hear you sing a musical theatre song you think shows off your voice well and that you enjoy singing. This can be from any era, but we would ask that you don’t bring pop songs, or pop songs that have been incorporated into musicals – e.g., ‘Mamma Mia’, or ‘We Will Rock You’. In the first round, your audition material should last no longer than 90 seconds – so please cut your music appropriately, picking the section that you feel really shows you off to your best.

We would advise you to avoid singing songs which demand an extreme character voice, such as ‘I Can’t Say No’ from Oklahoma, or ‘My Girlfriend Who Lives In Canada’ from  Avenue Q. We are interested in hearing your natural voice.

For both rounds, you should bring sellotaped sheet music, with any cuts marked appropriately. You cannot use backing tracks.

The first round audition is completed once you have completed your singing audition and your dance audition. Candidates chosen to go through to the second round auditions will be invited to stay and will need to change out of dance wear and into comfortable day clothes.

Those not invited to second round auditions will not be required to stay.

There will be a short break before the second round auditions begin.

2nd Round – Afternoon:

Acting and Singing

Singing

In the second round, we would like to hear you sing a musical theatre song from the traditional, ‘legit’ musical theatre genre. This song should be written before 1965 and should be a ballad – i.e., a slow, lyrical tempo.

Examples of material include ‘If I Loved You’ from Carousel; ‘On The Street Where You Live’ from My Fair Lady or ‘Secret Love’ from Calamity Jane.

Additionally in the second round, we would like to have the opportunity to hear the first round song again in its full version; we may also spend some time undertaking some vocal exercises or redirection of material at this stage. If you feel able to show us a contrast of vocal qualities, please consider selecting contrasting material to reflect this.

For both rounds, you should bring sellotaped sheet music, with any cuts marked appropriately. You cannot use backing tracks.

Acting 

You will need to prepare and learn two monologues. Neither monologue should be longer than two minutes.

One monologue should be from a modern play written after 2005. For this contemporary monologue we strongly recommend that in the context of the play the speech is being delivered to another character – rather than the character being alone / speaking to the audience.

Your other monologue should be from a classical play that uses heightened language, such as a speech from Shakespeare that is a good length. Please note that you are also more than welcome to choose an alternative classical monologue of your choice.

For both monologues:

• Find material that has a clear sense of character purpose.
• Choose characters in both pieces that are close to your playing age.
• The piece should be performed in English
• You do not have to restrict yourself to the gender originally assigned to the character.
• Use your natural voice – don’t do the speech with an accent (including ‘Shakespearian’ accent) or do a ‘voice’ to fit the character – in the audition, we simply want to hear YOU.
• You will be expected to have read each play fully and to perform the monologues within the context of the piece.
• Choose material that you relate to personally and which you find exciting.
• Know whom your character is talking to and why.
• Be prepared to change your interpretation based on direction given by the audition panel.

Each candidate selected for second round auditions may also have an interview with the Director of the School of Musical Theatre and/or a Senior Member of the Executive Team.

All auditionees for our three-year degree course will also be considered for our one-year, full-time CertHE Foundation Musical Theatre Course. 

You can find out more about the course here.

Directions 

The nearest underground station is  Turnham Green on the District Line. Do not use the Piccadilly Line as the train does not stop at Turnham Green and you could be late for your audition.

There is no parking at ArtsEd itself, but metered parking (PayByPhone) is available on surrounding streets. Space inside our building is very limited on audition days, so only the candidate will be permitted inside.

Please note: ArtsEd is a nut free environment so, if you require snacks for the day, please ensure that they do not include nuts of any kind.

Audition fees are not refundable.

International Students

If you cannot make it to London for your audition date and wish to audition online, please contact the Head of Admissions, David Bumpstead (dbumpstead@artsed.co.uk) and he will guide you through the process.

Overview

The auditions for our Full-time CertHE Musical Theatre course will be in person and will take place at ArtsEd. You will spend your time working with course tutors and getting a real sense of life as an ArtsEd student.

This is a two round process, with offers made on the basis of day that you spend with us.

Once you have applied, we will send you full details of the format of the day as well as a full version of the audition requirements outlined below.

Audition Requirements: September 2026 Intake

First Round

Dance Audition:

Candidates will take part in a group jazz class led by a senior member of dance staff and overseen by the Head of Dance.

We welcome applicants of all levels of experience to apply. Please don’t be concerned if you haven’t danced before, or are new to dancing, all movements will be explained and demonstrated on the day.

All applicants are required to dress appropriately in form fitting dance/sports attire with either jazz shoes, foot thongs or bare feet. All jewellery must be removed for safety reasons. 

What are we looking for?

We will be looking closely at how you learn; how you listen and respond to instructions; how well you can apply the technique you are taught to the choreography; your acting through dance – the characterisation, expressiveness and creativity you bring to the routine.

Singing Audition:

Candidates will take part in a group jazz class led by a senior member of dance staff and overseen by the Head of Dance.

We welcome applicants of all levels of experience to apply. Please don’t be concerned if you haven’t danced before, or are new to dancing, all movements will be explained and demonstrated on the day.

All applicants are required to dress appropriately in form fitting dance/sports attire with either jazz shoes, foot thongs or bare feet. All jewellery must be removed for safety reasons.

What are we looking for?

We will be looking closely at how you learn; how you listen and respond to instructions; how well you can apply the technique you are taught to the choreography; your acting through dance – the characterisation, expressiveness and creativity you bring to the routine.

1^st Round Requirements

In the first round, we would like to hear you sing a musical theatre song you think shows off your voice well and that you enjoy singing. This can be from any era, but we would ask that you don’t bring pop songs, or pop songs that have been incorporated into musicals – e.g., ‘Mamma Mia’, or ‘We Will Rock You’. In the first round, your audition material should last no longer than 90 seconds – so please cut your music appropriately, picking the section that you feel really shows you off to your best.

We would advise you to avoid singing songs which demand an extreme character voice, such as ‘I Can’t Say No’ from Oklahoma, or ‘My Girlfriend Who Lives In Canada’ from Avenue Q. We are interested in hearing your natural voice.

For both rounds, you should bring sellotaped sheet music, with any cuts marked appropriately. You cannot use backing tracks.

The first round audition is completed once you have completed your singing audition and your dance audition. Candidates chosen to go through to the second round auditions will be invited to stay and will need to change out of dancewear and into comfortable day clothes.

Those not invited to second round auditions will not be required to stay.

There will be a short break before the second round auditions begin.

There will be a short break before the second round auditions begin. Second Round –

2^nd Round Requirements

Acting and Singing

Singing:

In the second round, we would like to hear you sing a musical theatre song from the traditional, ‘legit’ musical theatre genre. This song should be written before 1965 and should be a ballad – i.e., a slow, lyrical tempo.

Examples of material include ‘If I Loved You’ from Carousel; ‘On The Street Where You Live’ from My Fair Lady or ‘Secret Love’ from Calamity Jane.

Additionally in the second round, we would like to have the opportunity to hear the first round song again in its full version; we may also spend some time undertaking some vocal exercises or redirection of material at this stage. If you feel able to show us a contrast of vocal qualities, please consider selecting contrasting material to reflect this.

For both rounds, you should bring sellotaped sheet music, with any cuts marked appropriately. You cannot use backing tracks.

Acting

You will need to prepare and learn two monologues. Neither monologue should be longer than two minutes.

One monologue should be from a modern play written after 2005. For this contemporary monologue we strongly recommend that in the context of the play the speech is being delivered to another character – rather than the character being alone / speaking to the audience.

Your other monologue should be from a classical play that uses heightened language, such as a speech from Shakespeare that is a good length. Please note that you are also more than welcome to choose an alternative classical monologue of your choice.

For both monologues:

• Find material that has a clear sense of character purpose.
• Choose characters in both pieces that are close to your playing age.
• The piece should be performed in English
• You do not have to restrict yourself to the gender originally assigned to the character.
• Use your natural voice – don’t do the speech with an accent (including ‘Shakespearian’ accent) or do a ‘voice’ to fit the character – in the audition, we simply want to hear YOU.
• You will be expected to have read each play fully and to perform the monologues within the context of the piece.
• Choose material that you relate to personally and which you find exciting.
• Know whom your character is talking to and why.
• Be prepared to change your interpretation based on direction given by the audition panel.

Each candidate selected for second round auditions may also have an interview with the Director of the School of Musical Theatre and/or a Senior Member of the Executive Team.

Overview
All first-round auditions will take place online. You will film yourself performing two audition speeches at home and as per the instructions below.  You will then combine these two speeches into a single video, which you will upload for our audition panel to assess.

Recalls will be in person at our Chiswick home and will involve you spending a day working with course tutors and getting a real sense of life at ArtsEd.

Speeches
Please prepare two speeches, each no more than two minutes long.

One classical speech (Shakespeare and his contemporaries) and one contemporary speech (from a play published in the last 10 years).

Please present both the speeches in your own voice, the voice you speak in every day. Keep the speech as age appropriate to you as possible. It can be free of gender. Use material that excites you, and that you are passionate about.

Filming
You can film your speeches on your phone, computer, iPad, or whatever is most convenient for you. We are not looking for production value, we simply wish to see you perform to the best of your ability.

Both speeches must be on one video, this can be edited together from two separate takes.

Here are some useful tips for self-taping:

• Make sure that the camera is as steady as possible. If you can, avoid holding it whilst you record.
• Try and find a neutral background for the taping and a space that is as private and quiet as possible.
• If you can, use a natural light source.
• Make sure that the light source is behind or to the side of the camera.
• You can be standing or sitting, but make sure you shoot from the mid-torso up.
• When delivering your speeches, shift your eye-line to just off camera, as though you’re speaking to someone sat next to it. At all other times look straight down the lens.
• Present your work as you would at in person audition, please don’t feel the need to turn in a “camera” audition.

At the end of your recording please tell us a little about why you chose the pieces that you did, and about your reasons for wanting to study MA Acting at ArtsEd.

The audition panel will review your video and, if successful, you will be invited to attend a 2nd Round audition at ArtsEd. We aim to get back to you with the panel’s decision within four weeks.

Applications open 1st November 2025

Overview
The auditions for our Part-time Foundation in Acting will be in person and will take place at our Chiswick home. You will spend your time working with course tutors and getting a real sense of life as an ArtsEd student.

This is a single round process, with offers made on the basis of the day that you spend with us.

Auditions take place in May and June, and you will be notified of the date once they are confirmed.

Once you have applied, we will send you full details of the format as well as a full version of the audition requirements outlined below.

Audition Requirements
Please prepare two speeches, each no more than two minutes long.

One speech should be from a modern play written after 1990, and the other from a classical play using heightened language.  This could be Shakespeare, but we also welcome classical pieces from across the globe. Both pieces should be within your acting age and should be performed in English. Ideally, you should choose contrasting speeches to demonstrate your ability to play different characters, though your choices do not have to be restricted by gender. We encourage you to use your natural or heritage voice.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the ArtsEd Extra team If you have any questions about the Part-time Foundation course or the audition process: extra@artsed.co.uk

Applications open 1st November 2025

Overview
The auditions for our Part-time Foundation in Musical Theatre will be in person and will take place at our Chiswick home. You will spend your time working with course tutors and getting a real sense of life as an ArtsEd student.

This is a single round process, with offers made on the basis of the day that you spend with us.

Auditions take place in May and June, and you will be notified of the date once they are confirmed.

Once you have applied, we will send you full details of the format as well as a full version of the audition requirements outlined below.

Audition Requirements

Singing:
You will need to prepare and perform two musical theatre songs. One should be a ‘legit’ ballad written no later than 1965 (e.g. ‘If I Loved You’ from Carousel), and the other should provide a contrast and be something you enjoy singing.

Please avoid songs which demand an extreme ‘character’ voice, such as ‘Adelaide’s Lament’ (Guys and Dolls) or ‘My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada’ (Avenue Q). We need to hear YOUR voice. You should prepare and perform a section from each of the two songs, each lasting no longer than one minute.

Dance
All auditionees will take part in a group jazz class. Don’t worry if you haven’t danced before, all movements will be explained and demonstrated on the day. We are looking for candidates who have potential.

Acting
You will need to prepare two speeches for this element of the audition, each no more than three minutes long.

One should be from a modern play written after 1990, and the other from a classical play using heightened language. This could be Shakespeare, but we also welcome classical pieces from across the globe. Both pieces should be within your acting age and should be performed in English. Ideally, you should choose contrasting speeches to demonstrate your ability to play different characters (though choices do not have to be restricted by gender). We encourage you to use your natural or heritage voice.

The school welcomes eligible candidates from across the globe. The working language of the training is English, so you must be able to show evidence at the audition of an excellent command of spoken and written English.

PLEASE NOTE: all prospective students coming to study at ArtsEd from outside the UK will need to apply for a Student Visa (via the new points-based immigration system). Applications must be made online at GOV.UK and students can apply up to six months before their course starts. The cost of this Student Visa is £348, with an additional healthcare surcharge of £470 per year.  The visa will be valid for up to five years for students aged 18+. Further details can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/study-uk-student-visa

Although our building is fully accessible for public performances, at present many of the teaching areas are not easily accessible for disabled users. We are taking active steps to improve this with our new build, which you can learn more about here. If you are a disabled applicant and are successful at auditioning, we will do our best to meet your access requirements and, before offering you a place, we will discuss how we might best support you during your training. After discussion, if the school regretfully feels it cannot provide adequate support and therefore is unable to offer you a place, we will explain why and advise you on alternative opportunities.