Drama school auditions 2026 entry- Acting/MT

[Mcmumager]

Annual thread for those with dc about to embark on the rollercoaster of audition season. This is my second time round as my ds did it a couple of years ago. These threads are always really supportive and full of great advice as it’s often hard to explain to others how tough and competitive this process is. Good luck everyone!!

Hi! You are in good company on the stress front although I'm finding the more auditions we go to I'm becoming a bit numb with it all! Where was the self tape for? Most send rejections and recalls at the same time in our (limited) experience.

We're on our third year of auditioning and my nerves are finished. The first year my DD auditioned she got about 5 offers and she ended up doing a Foundation at ArtsEd. She got to the 3rd round in Oxford School of Drama last year and then didn't get a place. She got into NYT and did the inaugural 3 weeks at Leeds Uni last summer and hasn't heard anything from them since so I don't know what is going on there. She's done a bit of professional work and here we are now on year 3 of auditioning. I honestly don't know if my nerves can take any more. I think 3 rounds is too much, it's ridiculous and they should have gone back to in-person auditions since the end of Covid. They expect you to have self filming skills and every college wants something different. It's crazy, it's too much. I'm going to end up in a looney bin!!! I had a 30 year career as an opera singer and I never suffered with my nerves like this. It wasn't stressful like this!!! Auditions were fun!! You turned up, you sang your songs, you answered a few questions and then you heard if you'd got the job. Same for music college auditions. No trying to figure out how to edit videos!!!

Hi it was The Hammond. As it is her 1st time we are unsure of the procedure. Fingers crossed for today for a recall 🙏🤞

That's so tough @Operagirl1 . It does seem completely ridiculous. First year for us and I am feeling anxious so can't imagine how you must be feeling. The thing with the self tape process that has unsettled me the most ( hope I am explaining myself) is that there is no ability to learn as they all go off in bulk. With in person auditions in theory you could gain some experience as you went along even with rejections along the way as they would be happening one by one. Having sent off the first round self tapes if there is some issue there across them all, they could in theory all lead to a rejection and my DC learns little from the process to help her next year. Aaarghh. Feeling your pain as well @MTNoviceParent

I agree with what you say. When you have a number of live auditions, you tend to grow in confidence with each one and as you come to the end, you're actually enjoying the process. You don't get that with self-tapes. It takes all the joy out of performing and becomes a horrible chore. I hope they change the system back to how it used to be. It was less convenient for the schools but a lot more beneficial to the students.

Unfortunately really good self tape skills are now an essential part of the industry.

Since Covid, the vast majority of professional work in the industry starts with a first round self-tape.

Lots of those applying for colleges who have had agents since they were young children will be (or have parents who are) very comfortable with filming, lighting, framing and editing tapes.

Worth asking your DD's teachers if any of them could do a training session in tape technique for you.

We were rubbish at self tapes too. But I do think they are a good thing, to make it cheaper and more accessible to students across the country. Rail fares etc to auditions are so expensive. The sheer numbers applying to some schools means they have to make a first cut somehow. A tough industry for sure

Do just be aware of a few technical issues we've come across:

1. icloud email can block some addresses. NYMT emails never got through to dd's I cloud address. Gmail fine.
2. check if YouTube if tapes have been viewed by not just you. At least you know they got them.
3. Human error means some just don't get notified. LIPA had a swathe of recalls where they didn't email. Did waited 8 weeks and emailed to ask and lo! A recall came through.
4. generally no news means still being considered.

its a crazy process but I'm starting to enjoy it a bit more now the initial panic is gone and we have a sense of where dd fits into the competition (I.e nowhere for really dancey MT schools and definitely in the running for those that prioritise acting/singing as she has been recalled for them all). So far - 2 rejections, 1 foundation offer from Conti and 4 recalls to do. Waiting for one more in person and 2 self tape outcomes. So proud of dd's resilience throughout all this. It's tiring physically and draining mentally! Hang in there!

Thank you so much for your comment! Do they actually send rejection letters after self tapes then? Not sure if no news is good news in this instance 🫣

Yes they do email in the main. No experience of the Hammond though.

@Operagirl1is your DD applying for acting BA? If she has already done some professional work, what is the advantage of having a BA? Just curious

She had 2 months work before Christmas in a show and she appeared on a music video but it isn't continuous work. It's not enough to support her. She needs to get more exposure and the best way is through Drama School. She's applying for Acting and Musical Theatre courses.

@Operagirl1thanks for explaining. Wish her all thr best!

@Operagirl1I thought getting one professional gig would be the platform to getting another? Sounds as though I am wrong!

Mum of 1st time auditionee here. Relieved dd's college have managed the whole application palava so far, including filming of audition pieces. Only just submitted, so now cobbling together various tapes. DD is AuASD so every time I ask she says it's too much and doesn't want to talk about it. Will try again later as she has to do her intros.

She's not applying for MV or Laine due to funding. Not really sure why she's trying Arts Ed either tbh as she is not a dancer (strong actor and singer, worked professionally age 9 in West end play).
I am realistic as been watching others we know go through all this for the last couple of years, and always shocks me when you hear of very talented kids not get offers, or maybe only 1 or 2 offers).
Trouble is DD won't listen and has her sights set very high!
Good luck to everyone going through the process🤞🏼🤞🏼

Hi! Good luck with it all. DD did the Artsed audition and they took about 10 through to the afternoon (not dd!) all of whom were amazing dancers and singers. They don't hear a monologue unless they go through to pm.

The acting BA does teach them a much wider range of skills than some acting jobs alone. Having said that I do know some young actors who are working consistently and making good money. For most tho a wider range of skills, contacts and life experiences can only help!

It depends how high profile the gig is

My DS wants to go to college to expand his skill set and help the transition from being a child to adult actor (he’s done west end and some tv/film). He wants to give himself the best possible chance at a long and diverse career. That said, he has friends who are planning to continue with working and not go down the college route. I think both routes work but a very personal choice. Xx

So interesting thank you. Not holding my breath on Arts Ed then, although I know a brilliant singer / actor with little dance traing who got a place a couple of years ago.

And it's £22k a year!!

Thanks so much ☺️. Thankfully she received an email inviting her for the 2nd round 🙏. But now the real stress begins 🤪. Does anyone have any tips on how to prepare them mentally for the in person auditions? She does get quite anxious and has 4 auditions lined up so far for February 🫣 Grey hair here I come 🤣

@MTNoviceParentmy advise would be to ensure she has prepared as per the audition requirements and can portray her singing, dancing and acting in the best way. Usually performers enjoy performing so she can maybe treat it as an experience day rather than an audition to determine her life’s course

Thank you ☺️

As above, remind her it's a day spent doing what she enjoys, and if she gets an offer out of it that's a bonus, but try to go in with no expectations and just enjoy it. From any given audition day for drama school the vast majority of people will come away without an offer, so it's not something to fear. Not getting a place doesn't mean they're not talented, or didn't impress, but ultimately they are not what that particular school wanted at that time. Remember it's your daughter's chance to check out the facilities, the staff, the culture etc as much as being scrutinised herself. Take the jeopardy of will i/won't I get an offer out of it as much as possible and treat as simply a step in the process.