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!!

Thank you everyone! She's over the moon with her offers. A complete turnabout from the 2 audition days at artsed and EDA in December where she was cut before interviews and when she didn't get the Conti Acting (MT) BA in Jan it all felt very brutal and difficult. So it just shows how different schools suit different people and when you find the right ones it shines through. Her offers are from schools who place merit on musicality and instrumentation whereas EDA, Conti and Artsed weren't bothered about that.

It may also be a case of experience of auditioning and improving as you go on? However, I agree with you ….. different courses look for different things and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason! No matter, what superb options!
will she bother attending any further auditions?

Yes there must be an element of confidence that comes with the experience of auditions - I've certainly learned a lot! She has LIPA and Mountview actor muso auditions in half term. We'll probably cancel Mountview as the fees are crazy. A few self tapes to come back but she will decline any recalls I think as they aren't top choices.

Congrats to your DD who is clearly going very well! I think you're right that every school wants something different, and a rejection doesn't mean you don't have the talent for professional training. At the moment it seems to be singers getting places at Urdang, and in many cases to get past lunchtime at Arts Ed the dance is really important. Is your DD applying for MT at GSA too, or just Actor- Muso? The singing is really key at GSA...

Yes I agree they really must be looking for different things. It makes no sense they can get in some places and have straight rejections from others, sometimes with the same self tape. My DDs 1st audition year for MT so far- EDA reject, ArtsEd offered foundation, Urdang reject from self tape, GSA and italia conti recall from
self tape. Also have audition for Laine but unlikely to go there due to fees. Bird and Wilkes cancelled as probably will do arts Ed even though foundation, even if gets in somewhere else as was first choice

@MyLovingBee Artsed Foundation is an amazing achievement - congrats! Recalls are for great schools too so good luck!

@Biscuitsneeded not applying for MT at GSA as the actor muso degree is all 3 MT disciplines with the fourth strand of instrumental training. It's perfect for her.

Wow your DD's journey really does show the crazy world of Drama School! She must have been so disheartened previously but then to end up with these amazing offers is just brilliant. It just shows you, just because you get one rejection, it has absolutely no reflection on your talent or what your next auditions will be like.

Does anyone know the waiting time to hear back from chichester? My son went for an audition last Saturday and was told they would let him know on Monday but as yet nothing. This was his first audition so new to all this.

This all sounds so stressful! Makes me glad my theatre mad DD is going for backstage and so has a place at RB fir scenic arts with very little stress! Good luck to all your DC x

The RB scenic arts students produce incredible sets. I’ve seen a few - amazing

Last year my daughter got an offer from Chichester the day after her audition. It might be different this year though.

Dd2 was about a week for MTM three years ago.

He also has another audition at chichester for a different MT pathway at the end of Feb so i am wondering if they are waiting till he has had both auditions maybe???

Dd applied for MTP, but was offered MTM, which does suit her better.
I believe Chichester does quite often offer for a different course if they think it would suit them more, so I think they may well wait.
Which two is he going for?

He has had audition for MT cabaret and has MT performance at end of February. He would prefer the performance one but really liked what he saw and found out on the cabaret audition too.

Interesting to know if this is true as DD is applying in a few years

What is RB?

Rose Bruford.

All still true as of now. Italia Conti definitely now charging top-up fees. Things can change though! The schools are nearly all struggling financially to run the high contact hours required on the money they get.

Some of these schools are currently holding auditions in the US, I guess they need to bring in international student fees.

And the greater the financial difficulties universities are in (and they all are, though some more than others), the greater their reliance on international fees.

Is anyone else's DC much better at getting rejections than they are? A 'no' from Royal Welsh today and I was fuming!😂DS, on the other hand, said he was fully expecting nos from everywhere and was absolutely fine, and all the sensible things about tough odds, trying again next year, etc, etc. Funny that my 'mamma bear' came out wanting to defend him, when I could have cheerfully thrown him through the window for his infuriating self-tape shenanigans last week! I fear I may be a tad too invested now...😫For context, he's going for Acting at all the usual suspects, just had this no plus a recall for Arts Ed so far (no way we can pay for a degree there, so hoping he might be considered for the Foundation) and I do know really that he will get lots of rejections, just made me laugh how indignant I felt on his behalf! Loving reading everyone's news, hang in there, ladies and gents! @💪

@Reklats yes me. Also a rejection from RWC last week. Devastated for her. Can't understand why she got callbacks from other top tier schools but not this one!

We are currently at Chicago Unifieds.

RWC
LIPA
Goldsmiths
Leeds

All holding walk-in audtions today. With leaflets about the cost being lower than US students will expect. Assumed it was a cash flow thing.

Same here - I’ve hardly heard of anyone getting a recall at Welsh this year