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!!

If you can afford Laine I would take that. 16 is very young to commit to a 3 year course, and doing the Foundation might open the door to 3 year degrees or diplomas in other schools that may ultimately put them in a stronger position for their career.

Laine is close by. Performers would be a commute and for a few years as too young to move out. It is the worry of auditioning again next year and our options don't get wider as would still be too young for some degree courses so it's what they do in that single year. Lots was learned on this round about what places and courses were right and which were not. They would choose differently both in terms of courses and where they'd audition having done this round, which is why they did lots - to see what was there as much as anything. They liked both and would audition for Performers and Laine again if they took the Laine offer. Maybe delaying the degree a year would be beneficial anyway.

There's no legal reason why you can't start a degree at 17 as far as I'm aware.

Disclaimer: this is my perception based on people we know, and not scientific. Years ago very talented performers could train at 16 and ended up on the pro theatre circuit. Now I think that sort of success is more common with degree grads from top schools who are more like 21/22, and it's harder for those who do a diploma 16-19, especially at less prestigious schools, to get much beyond holiday parks, being cruise dancers etc. That may be a sweeping generalisation, and of course there will be exceptions, and it very much depends on aspirations too, but worth thinking about. I hasten to add that holiday parks and cruises are VERY valid career paths - not looking down on them at all - but it just depends where your DD wants to end up.

Whichever you choose, it is long hours. A big commute on top might be too much. The Laine foundation could lead to degree at Laine or other very good schools. A diploma from Performers will no doubt be good training, but then you have used up your student finance and you can't then progress to a school that might open up more doors.Although Laine is known for its dance, under new management they are, I think, trying to provide proper triple threat training. Performers takes people who are mainly dancers - have known people go there who are really not singers - and realistically it will train them for dance work. Again, it depends whether your DD is mainly a dancer or wants to be a full triple threat.

I haven't intended to offend anyone - both schools very good at what they do, but they are offering something quite different. At 16 you have time on your side and I'm not sure I would rush into a 3 year commitment unless I was absolutely sure it was the right fit.

Is anyone's YP who is pursuing BA Acting still waiting on an outcome from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) First Round? It's been 5 weeks since my DD had hers and in one hand we are keeping positive as previous years she's had rejections well before now, however she has also now heard from a friend who had his First Round the week after her and he heard about his recall the week later which is scheduled for this week. Not sure what to think. My DD thinks she's been forgotten about, however I know on another forum someone has been waiting 13weeks and when they emailed were told they were still being considered. Just wondering other's experience?

At the risk of losing my anonymity across forums - that’s me ☺️

my DS actually emailed again yesterday as he now has other recall audition dates and is worried about clashes if he gets a last minute recall from RCS. They replied first thing today (they are very responsive!) apologising for the delay and citing increased number of applicants this year.

You're joking! Hello! I'm dramamum03 from the other forum 😂People will be sick of me asking about RCS in that forum so thought I'd try here as not seen it mentioned much haha! That's good your DS emailed again and at least they have quickly responded, although still no further forward.

We're just confused that someone my DD knows was a later in person audition than her (and your DS obv!) and heard pretty right away! My DD's was 2nd Feb and his was 9th Feb, so much later than those in December and January first rounds. It's really confusing how they are doing this. She wanted to email this morning when she found that out but I told her not to, actually highlighting your DS's case, I said at least wait until after 6 weeks has passed, haha. So frustrating, and hard to know how many others in this boat.

I think I saw someone else with a 21st Jan audition who is still waiting too. Suspect our YPs are on a reserve list for second round pending them finishing all first round recalls - which I think they did the week before last so hopefully we should have news soon. Although that terrible fire in Glasgow last night might delay things if people can’t get into work. Hope everyone up there is safe and well x

We have finally heard from Conti today. Dead on 6 weeks. Dd has a recall at the end of March.

Hope you have had good news too

Hello..i've been lurking.
I hope everyone is hanging on and surviving what feels like a brutal process - congrats to all the DC and parents for getting this far!

This is my DDs 2nd year of applying for BA acting. last year she was offered a place at RB but she rejected it in favour of doing a Cert and she also did NYT in the summer. Both of these have been amazing experiences for her, she has learned a lot about herself, others and her craft so if anyone is hesitating or not sure whether to consider these I would say go for it if the funds allow.

This year she was very focussed and picky on where she applied to
RADA - rejection
RCSSD - rejection
Arts Ed - reserve list
East 15 - 2nd round recall
Guildhall - 2nd round recall

Has anyone here got any experience with Guildhall audition process for BA acting? Any tips etc.? It's not a school I see get mentioned here often.

Thanks!

Hi, sounds like it’s going well so far! Where is your daughter doing a Cert? Did she turn down a BA or foundation offer from RB? We are hoping BA at RB comes through for us……Have been waitlisted and offered Foundation at East 15
I found guildhall doesn’t get talked about much on these groups so worth an ask, we were rejected from there last week

My DD heard today as well. She has a recall for BA MT and foundation. This has been her only recall from self-tapes. This last week has been more positive in this brutal process. She received an offer for foundation at Performers Essex last week - the only offer so far.

Yes hopefully that is what it is, really hate the unknown! Yes the fire was awful, thankfully no one hurt but next few days of travel will be severely disrupted. currently trying to find alternate travel for my DD to get to college tomorrow. I'm guessing it's going to affect staff getting to RCS but also those with travel booked to attend their auditions. I imagine there may be a fair few who have to re-schedule theirs if they were travelling into Central station.

Hi congratulations! do you mind me asking what the deadline for her self tapes was? How long has she been waiting to hear?

She is doing the Cert at East 15 - and loves it! My friends son is doing the BA there and also rates it.
RB - she got to the final round for BA Acting and was offered a place on the BA European Theatre
Good luck to your DC!

Thanks! Deadline was 31st Jan

Oh fantastic! I could definitely do with your thoughts on the E15 foundation (Loughton), not feeling positive enough about foundations at the moment, the risk, the cost etc so would appreciate that.
Ah yes the European course at RB, that’s an interesting one isn’t it! We just love it there and are hopeful, we heard back on actor musician there last week, it was a no but it wasn’t quite the right fit for my son having gone through the audition but so hoping for acting.

Hi everyone! Has anyone had a recall from Rose Bruford ? My daughter had a recall just over 2 weeks ago now but still not heard anything yet. The waiting is awful !

For which course and was that for 2nd or 3rd round? Third round acting audition dates came out last Wednesday for w/c 23rd March

My DD had her first round audition there on Jan 12th and hasn’t heard anything yet.

I reckon this week’s the week for us all to hear 🤞🤪

Ok that's great to know there are more of us out there haha!

Is this for BA Acting? I would maybe get your DD to email them if she has had her recall already and has waited that long. With most people we have spoken to, normally the pattern seems to be they have a recall on a Saturday and generally send results out the following Tuesday, both recalls and rejections. So in general just 3/4days to wait.
My DD had her recall the week before your DD and found out 3 days later about 3rd Round.
Just get your DD to triple check her emails, someone on another forum had realised their reply from RB had went into another folder in her inbox and only found it a couple weeks later.

We got recall for RCS MT today, from self tapes sent a couple of weeks ago (well after deadline but they allowed late submission).

Trinity Laban we are hearing people are getting phone calls with offers.

Anyone waiting for Urdang first round self-tape result?

We still don't have anything from Royal Central from 4th Feb deadline for tapes. Checked UCAS last night and still pending (no rejection) and no email, anyone else still waiting?