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POSTGRADUATE AUDITIONS
Auditions are required for all students undertaking masters courses that involve acting. Auditions take place at our Loughton Campus between December and May.
MA ACTING AND MA OR MFA ACTING (INTERNATIONAL)
East 15 auditions each year at a host of international locations. As members of URTA we also attend their auditions across North America. Information regarding dates, venues and availability can be found on our website:
www.east15.ac.uk/how-to-apply/
international-auditions. International applicants may audition via an online link (e.g. YouTube/Vimeo) if they cannot attend an audition in the UK. Applicants can provide links to digital audition materials within their online application form which can be accessed via
www.east15.ac.uk/masters/applying-
to-east-15. The audition day starts with a general address to all applicants after which you will be allocated to a group and directed to a room for your first audition piece. You will then be asked to perform your
audition speeches in front of your
group and at least one East 15 tutor. During your audition, you may receive direction and suggestions on your performance so you should listen closely to what you are being asked to do. Through our suggestions, we
are offering feedback on the work
that we have seen. We do not give feedback after the event, but if you listen attentively, you will gain insight and feedback during the sessions. Our audition process is very thorough, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your full potential. The
audition lasts from four to six hours
and includes opportunities to ask questions and engage with staff and current students. Candidates for acting courses must prepare two contrasting speeches from the following categories (1 speech from each):
A play by Shakespeare or another Elizabethan/Jacobean playwright, lasting no more than one and a half minutes. A contemporary (post 1990) play lasting no more than one and a half minutes.
Before selecting your pieces for audition, read the whole play and be ready to
talk about the characters and the
action.
We may ask you to approach your text in a variety of new ways, including improvisations or paraphrasing of classical text.
Be wary of selecting roles that are too removed from your playing age – you will want to find a character that you can connect with, relate to and understand. Your focus should be on inhabiting a character and presenting a speech.
Be cautious of choosing comical speeches that play more like a stand-up act. Comedy is fine, but it should be rooted in character and situation.
Be wary of choosing a speech that requires an “accomplished” accent unlike your own – you will want to focus on the actions and thoughts within the speech, not presenting and accent.
Please note that we will not advise you on your choice of character or speech, this selection is a personal decision and is part of the audition process.
MA OR MFA THEATRE DIRECTING / MA ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL THEATRE PRACTICE
Applicants will be assessed on the basis of their written application and will be called for interview or given a telephone or Zoom interview. Interviews take place at our Loughton campus between November and May.
