Preparing for Auditions

Introduction

At the beginning of your audition video, please take no more than 90 seconds to tell us the following:

• Your name and where you are from (for example, I live in Birmingham). 
• Looking directly into the camera, tell us why you have decided to apply to East 15.
• Tell us the basic information about your audition pieces - the name of the character you are playing, the play from which the speech comes and the author of the play.

Two Speeches

After your introduction, please include the following speeches:

1)  A speech from a contemporary play or film/TV drama lasting no more than 90 seconds.

• Find a character-driven speech from writers working in the 20th or 21st century that gives you the opportunity to communicate thoughts and emotions to another person or group of people.

2)  A speech in Heightened Language lasting no more than 90 seconds.

• Choose a piece with an interesting rhythm, where the sounds and meaning overlap powerfully.  It can be lyrics, spoken word, poetry, drama or literature, from any period which rises beyond conversational speech - this can be anyone from Shakespeare to Kae Tempest, or Soyinka to Stormzy. 

We welcome published texts from all global traditions in English translation. 

Please refer to our 'video audition filming guidelines’ below for how to frame these pieces when videoing.

Additional Requirements

If you are recalled for a Round 2 audition, you may be asked to prepare additional pieces and you will be given information on this in your invitation to audition.

Information on what you may be asked to prepare for a Round 2 audition can be downloaded here (.pdf). Please note that this document is subject to change - the current version has 24/1/2024  as the updated date in the bottom left corner of the document. If you are recalled for a Round 2 audition, please check the requirements at the time of booking or refer to instructions given in your email from East 15.

• All video audition materials must be performed in English.
• Your video can be recorded using a smartphone camera (for example, iPhone, Android), you do not need a professional grade camera.
• Deliver your speech straight to the camera, addressing the lens as the person you are talking to (or the audience, if it is a soliloquy).
• We request that you frame yourself in a different way for the two speeches.
  • One: Set the camera up so that the image clearly shows your head, shoulders and the top half of your torso; the lower edge of the frame should sit at the bottom of the breastbone and the top of the frame should leave a little bit of space above the head.  
  • Two: Set the camera up so that the image clearly shows your head and full torso; the lower edge of the frame should sit at waist level and the top of the frame should leave a little bit of space above the head.  
• Embody the action but don’t get too busy within the frame. This is not a reading; we want to see how you can embody the role and make choices.
• Ensure that the main source of light is behind the camera, not behind you.
• Each speech should be recorded in one take - try a few takes (but only submit one) and enjoy the performance!
• You can either join your introduction, 2 speeches together to make one video or submit individual links.

We recommend that you upload the video material referred to above to either YouTube, Vimeo or an alternative digital platform that is accessible without the need for East 15 to set up an account to view your audition. Instructions on how to upload a video will be on the platform website that you choose to use.

Please remember to make your audition accessible. If you do not want others to see your audition and want to password protect it, make sure you include the password on your East 15 application form along with the URL link to your audition.

We do not accept file downloads via WeTransfer.

If you apply for any of the following courses, we will be in contact by email to arrange a date and time for interview.

BA Stage Management

You will be asked to take part in an interview either in person or online where we will discuss your interest in the theatre, relevant experience, and reasons for applying. You should prepare (where possible and relevant) a portfolio of your work, demonstrating any previous experience in Technical Theatre. You must be successful at interview for your application to be progressed.

Students who are interested in BA Stage Management and would like to find out more information before applying can email for further information regarding course-specific online Open Day opportunities.

BA Creative Producing (Theatre & Short Film)

You will be invited to take part in an interview either in person or online where we will ask about your interests in the Creative Industries, relevant experience, and reasons for applying. You must be successful at interview to gain entry onto the course.

MA and MFA Theatre Directing

You are assessed based on your written application and should make sure that this contains information on why you are applying for Theatre Directing, your experience and relevant skills. If successful, you will be invited to attend an interview which will take place on campus, by telephone or online.

Need a question answering about our audition process or preparation? Want to know the difference between some of our courses?

Find an answer on our FAQ page.