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!!

I'd say so. Approx 100 on the MT BA but split into groups. Sam Tutty is probably one of the most successful recent graduates.
My daughter had a BA offer for their Acting (MT) course last year, but decided to take a different option. She has friends who accepted places on MT courses and they are very much enjoying themselves.

This has always been true of boys as the competition for the talented boys is really hot.
Regarding is it a solid school with good outcomes - yes. My DD graduated in July she is signed with many would class as a high ranking agent. She is working professionallly and has auditions lined up for future roles. Her friends have had great roles some are already in the West End and other well thought of venues.
The changes are tough, but as a business person I get that Conti probably couldn’t continue to provide the final year experience on the standard fees.
DD didn’t get her agent through those shows though - well he did see her. But he took her on as he loved her head shots (which she organised herself) and her show reels and liked the fact that she approached him. He was definitely an aspirational agent for her, but she figured the worst he could say is no. He said he knew she was from a strong school - asked about her dance classes and knew from who taught her what her standard was.
So yes Conti is a good solid school, but you also need to be tenacious yourself to take that on professionally.
But take a look at their long term graduates to give you a good idea.

Update for us so far - as I feel it's good to share the ups and downs
Artsed - cut at lunchtime. They only listen to 90s of singing and base their decision on that and a dance. Everyone who got through were amazing dancers.
Italia Conti - recall in Jan 😊
Emil Dale - she had a great day and really felt she had a chance but wasn't recalled for interview which really stung especially when some from her school (who are not great) got interviewed. I guess it's all about casting type and what types of roles they still need to fill. A long day!
Leeds - self tape response awaited
LIPA - self tape response awaited. I know they've done recall emails for MT but we're waiting on a different course. I hate the waiting!
RCS - self tape to submit soon.
GSA and Mountview in person next year for actor muso.
how is everyone else doing? This is definitely making DD realise how tough the industry will be - all a good learning exercise!

@Needanadultgapyearthank you for thaf! Nust ask DD what showreels are. She is always taping herself doing something or other and it’s good to know how to approach agents as well.

@Sop2thank you for the insight and update. Wish your YP all the best and hope she gets an offer soon 🙏🏽. How is she feeling after the first couple of auditions and outcomes? Did she know before that it would be very tough?

Show reels are how you show your skills on spotlight casting directors look at them before requesting self tapes, before in person auditions now days.
My DD has several singing show reels, two acting show reels and a tape dancing one ( she is an awesome tap dancer) on her spotlight profile.
They may not be in your DDs orbit just yet as they start to be talked about in the last 18 months of training.

Checking in re LAMDA - has anyone else been waiting a long time? It’s been 7 weeks now. My son emailed 2 weeks ago to double check he hadn’t missed an email as his friends were all hearing within 2-3 weeks and he was told they have a backlog and would be in touch asap…..

@NervesAreShot we are the same with Lipa and Leeds.

@Sop2we found Leeds to be pretty slow on comms last year. They get there in the end, but it can be quite frustrating!

@doesanybodyhaveamap can you remember if the actor muso auditions had accompanists for the instrumental part of the audition? GSA info not clear if just for singing or if they stay there to accompany instruments? Pieces would change if it's unaccompanied!

I don’t think there were accompaniments for actor muso

Mine was accompanied on their instruments at GSA and Leeds

Maybe it depends on the instrument! Maybe best to ask

Correction- no accompaniment at GSA!

DD got accepted to NYU Tisch, she can't believe it, it was such a long shot, it was her dream school and she really wanted a US college so she could continue with academics and do a double major in psychology, something you can't do anywhere in Europe. But I don't know how doable that it will be in reality.

She auditioned in November with a bad knee, is having knee surgery in January, so she already knew that would be the only audition she would be able to do for Sept 2026 admission, if she hadn't got in she was going to take a gap year. Now she just has to focus on recovering from her surgery and focus on her IB.

Good luck to all your kiddos, these kids are so resilient to keep going and doing what they love..

Massive congratulations!!!!! My DS also had Tisch at the top of the list for the same reason (academics alongside acting) but didn’t apply in the end due to the current climate in the US for the LGBTQ+ community. It looks absolutely amazing! What a fantastic achievement!

Many congratulations to your DD @lamada!

Thank you,

Waking up to news of another US college shooting is sobering, to say the least !

My DD has applied to Royal Conservatoire Scotland and instead of submitting a self tape, has been invited to an in-person audition/interview. Does anyone know if this is their normal/standard procedure for everyone? We live in the South East (England), so it would be a long and expensive journey to Glasgow, including at least one overnight stay in a hotel, so we are having to think about carefully.

It could be they already ‘passed’ the self tape part and jumped to the in person audition. Perhaps very talented, an unusual instrument or background? Maybe ask?

I think everyone is in person and they do have London dates as well as Glasgow I believe (although the London ones do get booked up)

If you’re in the SE then should be able to get a fairly cheap flight to Glasgow?? If it’s a genuine contender for your DC then it’s worth making the trip to see the place in person. Last year DC had preconceived ideas of where they wanted to go but it all changed once they’d seen places and experienced the audition days.

That happened here too - dd visited a few of the main drama schools and attended a couple of auditions and chose one with a lovely campus and warm atmosphere - Rose Bruford - over some that were better known but smaller and more urban. It has to be a good fit for the person. They applied to Glasgow for a reason so surely worth the trip?

My DD has been asked to submit a self tape for Royal Scotland for MT. If she gets a recall that would be in person.

Haha @Newgirlsfunny enough mine ended up at RB too!!