Case Study No. 15 - Audition for BA Acting, Central School of Speech and Drama

Elements addressed by study

Special Features:

Admissions system: First round audition, second round audition, final recall audition.

Description of Key Aspects:

The main aim of the audition is to give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate that they have the creative and intellectual potential to become  professional actors and the ability to fully participate in and benefit from the course of study. The first and second audition panels are made up of tutors from the course and visiting lecturers or directors who have or have had involvement with the course.  Candidates have to prepare two classical speeches and a speech from a contemporary text. If the candidate is selected for the final recall, s/he will participate in voice and movement workshop sessions, sight-reading, improvisation and games sessions, which may involve current Acting students. Recall candidates are directed by the panel to work on their speeches and current Acting students may also be involved. Candidates are offered no feedback on their audition.    

Analysis

The candidate is required to have passed in two subjects at Advanced level at grade C or above and passed in 3 subjects at GCSE, grade C or above.

S/he must also fulfil a GP's health assessment satisfactory reference.

Auditions are continuous throughout the year. (This is currently undergoing change due to UCAS agreements). The system is an established one but the final recall has been re-appraised several times to make sure that it works in the best possible way for candidates and panel members alike. The aim is that the day should be an exciting and rich one for the candidates and should reflect the life on the Course itself. The audition process is crucial, as this is the sole selection for and formation of the new group. The final recall is the time in which the panel get to see how the candidate participates in a group through the workshop sessions, how physically and vocally available they are,  how they take direction and how they work with another person in the exploration of their speeches. The student has to be imaginative, responsive and receptive with an enquiring mind and open to working with direction.

A waiting list is kept in case firm offers cannot be taken up and these have provided some very strong students.

Evaluation:

The audition process is demanding and daunting. That this is so is a reflection of the world into which this young person is aiming to enter.

The final recall day needs to be exciting and the experience special, not only because there is a fee to audition, but also because the prospective student should want to commit her/himself to Central School of Speech & Drama over all other options. Three years later the success of the process can be seen in the high quality skills that the graduating students now possess and by the number of graduates who are able to obtain high calibre professional work.