Acting audition and interview FAQs

You need to find pieces that you like and to which you can relate emotionally and intellectually. Look for characters and speeches that reflect your experience of the world.

Not really. Monologue books are useful for helping people who do not have a broad knowledge of repertoire to begin to look for ideas.

However, there is a danger that you will find a speech in a monologue book, learn it, and study no further. Many books have American pieces, the full text of which cannot be acquired in the UK, and some of these are purpose-written audition speeches. The other danger with American pieces is that they are culturally outside the experience of many of the applicants.

Another problem is that many of the speeches in monologue books are very well known. You must select a speech from a full play that has been published, and it is vital you have read the whole play to understand context and allow that knowledge to inform the work which you are doing.

Yes, so long as the edited version makes sense. A soliloquy is always one half of a dialogue, either with yourself or someone else. If you choose this option, do not cut together lines from different scenes because the text will not make sense, and always acknowledge the ‘other’ person.

Not really. Few poems give you the scope to explore a character and emotional journey in the same way as play text does.

We normally advise that it is best to avoid using a screenplay. Particularly avoid any pieces that are strongly identified with an actor or performance: Keyser Söze from the ‘The Usual Suspects’, for instance.

No more than two minutes – and ideally somewhere between 1 minute 40 and 1 minute 50 seconds. Any time over 2 minutes will be discounted. However, it is the first 10 seconds that will really need to grab the panel’s attention.

Do not get hung up on the idea that your audition speech needs to tell the whole story of the play. A good speech will enable you to give a real insight into a moment in the character’s life.

Yes – especially in the classical range and some pieces from audition books. Always avoid material like Victoria Wood monologues, Alan Bennett’s ‘Talking Heads’ or pieces that are identified with celebrated performances.

Yes – but only if you are fluent in the accent, if it is your native accent or you speak it like a native and it is appropriate to the character.  Also remember that Received Pronunciation (RP), also known as Standard English, is a 19th century invention. It did not exist when Shakespeare wrote his plays. If in doubt, do the classical speech in your own voice, not RP.

A table and chair will be available in each audition room.

Unless a prop is absolutely essential – a letter, or a ring – then do not bother. If you do think a prop is needed, bring it with you and ensure you are thoroughly familiar with it. Do not bring a whole suitcase of bits and pieces with you. We are interested in seeing you, not how you juggle utensils retrieved from the loft.

An indication of costume, such as appropriate shoes, shirt or skirt, to assist you is fine. But what is more important is whether or not you can connect to the character and tell us their story. Whatever you wear should be comfortable and supportive of your work. Think about the style and weight of your shoes; fashion heels are not suitable.

You are not required to have any particular level of attainment as a dancer. However, we look to see if you to have an ability to be trained in free and co-ordinated movement with a good neutral posture. This potential is assessed in the workshop element of the recall audition.

BA and MA Acting

Initial auditions: You will receive short, constructive feedback comments from the audition panel on your initial audition film. This may be about your choice of pieces and make suggestions about how they can be improved or how they feel that you should proceed.

Recall auditions: During the recall audition you will receive a voice assessment. No further discussion will take place as to why you may, or may not, have been offered a place.

MFA Acting 

Feedback is not offered following auditions for this course at the URTAs in the USA.

Following an audition, one of the following outcomes is possible:

You are offered an unconditional place

This means that you have a place on the course for which you applied. This offer is only for the year in which you apply.

You are offered a conditional place

This means that you will have a place on the course for which you applied if you attain the required academic qualifications. This offer is only for the year in which you apply.

You are offered a reserve place on the course

This is the most common outcome. It indicates that you have reached an acceptable standard, but because applications and auditions/interviews happen throughout the year we cannot allocate all places on a course until the auditions/interviews have been completed.

Our auditions come to an end in June, and the reserve pool will normally stay ‘live’ until 31 August. Applicants in the sector finalise their choices through UCAS by their reply by date so it is not uncommon for further places to become available at that time. If we are unable to offer you a firm place by this date you may wish to start the audition process again for the following year’s intake when the UCAS Conservatoire application process opens again in July.

You are not offered a place on the course

You cannot re-apply for a place on the same course in the same academic year.

If you wish to appeal against a decision you should contact the admissions team within 14 days of notification to receive a copy of the Appeals Policy.

An appeals panel led by a senior member of staff who was not involved in your audition will investigate thoroughly any grounds for appeal and will notify you of the outcome.

Like all of Birmingham City University, RBC is committed to equal opportunities. It is important that you tell us about any disability you may have. Once we are made aware of any disability we can try to support your individual needs.

If you feel additional support is required at your audition/interview, please email admissions at acting.admissions@bcu.ac.uk and also contact:

• the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team at wellbeing@bcu.ac.uk who support those with mental health conditions.
• the Disability Support Team at disability@bcu.ac.uk who support applicants and students with disabilities, medical conditions and specific learning difficulties e.g. dyslexia, ADHD etc.

Please also note; If you wish us to take dyslexia or dyspraxia into account at your recall audition, you must bring with you a copy of your assessment/report confirming the condition.

At audition we look at your ability to communicate through text, whether it be spoken (verse, the heightened language of comedy of manners, or contemporary text) or sung.

Do not worry about lack of experience: many people come to us having never sung before and discover that they have a wonderful voice. What matters is that you can tell the story, reveal the character and inhabit the language.

Yes, we require that you have 64 UCAS points as well as asking you to audition. Some drama schools ask for more points, others no points at all. We are in the middle; but our main criteria, as for all drama schools, is your audition. If you are unsure how many UCAS point you have, work it out using the UCAS points calculator.

Your initial audition film should include:

1. An introduction to you
2. Two monologues as per the guidance given

You should upload your initial audition film to YouTube. We recommend you make the film 'unlisted' so that only people with the link will be able to see your film. You should send us that link for your initial audition.

Please visit our term dates page for the current and upcoming academic year dates.