BA (Hons) Acting
Audition Information

All applicants are invited to attend an audition in order to assess their suitability for the programme and their ability to work as part of a team. The aim of the audition process is to offer potential students an opportunity to demonstrate their creative and intellectual potential and to explore whether or not they have the ability to succeed on the programme and meet the demands of a hugely challenging and highly competitive profession. Candidates are assessed in accordance with standard criteria described below.

Arriving

Plan your journey so that it allows you to arrive at the School of Theatre in plenty of time for the audition. The School does not have parking facilities, so if you are travelling by car, please ensure that you leave enough time to find a suitable parking space. Punctuality is an essential requirement of both the programme and the profession, so it is important to allow time in your travel arrangements for possible delays! If for any reason you are unable to avoid arriving late, please let us know as soon as possible. Upon arrival you will be asked to register with the School Administrator. The duration of the audition will be approximately 2 - 2½ hours.

The Audition

All those that apply are offered an audition for entry the following academic year. It is not possible to defer entry to subsequent years.

Applicants are asked to rehearse and memorise three speeches: one by Shakespeare which should be in blank verse*, one from a play written after 1970 and a third speech of your own choice from any published play. Each piece must be of no more than two minutes duration. Initially, we will ask you to present two of your prepared pieces, but in some instances, we may ask to see a third. A song is not required for the audition. In addition to presenting prepared speeches, candidates will also be asked to participate in a practical workshop. It is strongly recommended, therefore, that all candidates bring loose, comfortable clothing that they can easily change into.

*Blank Verse – a type of poetry that has a regular meter, but no rhyme. The most commonly used form in English is iambic pentameter, which can be found in all of Shakespeare's plays.

Following the first audition we invite successful candidates to a recall audition. In some instances, candidates may also be asked to attend a third audition and interview. All candidates will receive notification of the outcome of their audition within 28 days. Results of auditions can be viewed by logging on to UCAS Track.

It is recognised that the audition process can often prove challenging and unnerving – particularly for those who are less experienced. Candidates who are not offered a place on the programme may re-apply for entry the following year.

Please confirm your attendance at the audition by accepting your audition invitation on UCAS Track. You do not need to contact the university directly to confirm your attendance. We will not accept requests to re-arrange your audition date via UCAS Track.

We regret that it is not possible to offer individual feedback following an audition. Candidates should refer to the selection criteria when reflecting on the outcome of the audition process.

International Applicants

International applicants, who are unable to attend an audition in the UK, may present their audition speeches on DVD or VHS Video. In such instances, please make sure that filmed submissions are recorded on in a British PAL format. The audition requirements and assessment criteria are the same as those used for other candidates. Please ensure that you record all three of your speeches and that the whole of your body is included in the film frame. Intense close-ups are not required. Please remember to check the sound quality.

Details of the chosen speeches – title, author, date, translation etc - should be included with the video submission together with a short introductory statement of no more than two minutes.

Please include with your video the audition fee which is payable in pounds sterling.

The Recall Audition

Following an initial audition, some candidates will be invited to attend a recall audition. Where this is the case, candidates will normally be required to work with the same three pieces that were used at the first round audition. If the Programme team require additional pieces, you will be advised of this in writing.

A reply slip will be sent with your recall audition invitation. We would ask you to complete this and affix a passport sized photograph before returning it to the Art and Design Admissions Team.

Students with Disabilities

Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities in all aspects of employment and training. The School of Theatre welcomes applications from disabled candidates irrespective of their physical needs.

If you have any special requirements in relation to the audition procedures, please contact the School Administrator as early as possible so that suitable arrangements can be made to support you in this stage of the selection process.