All applicants applying for courses that require an audition will need to record a video and provide a URL link for this in their application.

Applicants who pass the first round of auditions will then be recalled for a second audition that will take place either on campus or online. Further instructions will be sent directly to applicants who have been successful in the first round.

The process

1. Before applying to East 15, you will need to first submit your UCAS or University of Essex direct application form. Further information about the application process and a link to the East 15 application form can be found on our 'Applying to East 15' page.
2. When you submit your East 15 application form, you will need to upload your video audition. Information can be found in the next section regarding the format of your video and what you need to include. When you have recorded your audition, upload it to a video sharing digital platform (e.g. YouTube or Vimeo) and then copy the URL link. Please make sure that your video can be accessed without the need for an account or log-in to view it. When you complete the East 15 application form you will need to add the URL link to the relevant section of the form.
3. When you submit your East 15 application form, you will also need to supply a headshot - this can be taken on iPhone, Android etc. It does not need to be a professional photograph.
4. You will be required to pay an audition fee or submit a successful Audition Fee Waiver. Details regarding our Undergraduate Audition Fee Waiver Scheme can be found here. Please note, the audition fee applies to anyone submitting an online audition. 

Please read all of the following information carefully:

Video Audition | Information for all applicants:

Introduction 

All video audition materials must be performed in English.

At the beginning of your audition video, please take no more than 4 minutes to tell us the following:

• Your name, age, and where you are from (i.e. I live in Birmingham). 
• Looking directly into the camera, and without referring to any notes or script, tell us why you want to study the course you have applied for and why at East 15.
• Tell us 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 this you will need to include the following:

• A speech by Shakespeare or another Elizabethan/Jacobean playwright lasting no more than 90 seconds.
• A speech from a contemporary (post-1990) stage play lasting no more than 90 seconds.
  
  

Please refer to our 'tips for self-taping' below for how to frame these pieces when videoing.

Additional Requirements

For certain courses an additional piece is required. These are listed below:

• BA Acting & Community Theatre - a third piece, lasting no more than two minutes, that is something you have created (be it a piece of writing, music, dance, spoken word, or visual art).
• BA Acting & Contemporary Theatre - a third piece, lasting no more than three minutes, that is something you have created (a piece of writing, music, song, dance, poetry, film etc.).
• BA Acting & Stage Combat - a short physical piece that shows your movement skills. This can be a dance, fight scene, martial art, gymnastics or anything else that shows us your skills.
• BA Physical Theatre - a short 'self-devised' physical piece lasting no more than 2 minutes.
• BA World Performance - a short piece that highlights movement and/or musical skills. This can be dance, gymnastics, a performance with a musical instrument, singing or anything else that show us additional skills.

If you are applying for more than one course, you should supply additional pieces for all your choices. 

• BA Acting, BA Acting (International) and Cert HE do not need to provide a 3rd speech.

Tips for self-taping: 

• Your video can be recorded using a smartphone camera (i.e. iPhone, Android etc.), 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 breast bone 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.  
  • If Required: for those asked to submit a short physical piece, please adjust this to full length.
• 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 and extra piece (if applicable) 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.

You will need to provide the web address (URL) for this material within the East 15 application form so should have this ready before submitting the form. Instructions for uploading your file to a digital platform can be viewed here (.pdf).

Courses that require an interview:

BA Stage & Production Management

You will be asked to take part in an interview via Zoom where we will discuss your interests 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 & Production 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 via Zoom 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.

All applicants applying for courses that require an audition will need to record a video and provide a URL link for this in their application.

Applicants who pass this first round will then be recalled for a second audition that will take place either on campus or online. Further instructions will be sent to applicants who have been successful in the first round.

Your audition can be recorded using a smartphone camera (i.e. iPhone, Android etc.), you do not need a professional grade camera for this.

The process

Please note that all applicants will need to submit an East 15 application form on which you can add a link to your video audition. Further information on the application process and a link to the East 15 application form can be found on our 'Applying to East 15' page.

1. When you have recorded your audition, upload it to a video sharing digital platform (e.g. You Tube or Vimeo) and then copy the URL link. Please make sure that your video can be accessed without the need for an account or log-in to view it.
2. When you complete the East 15 application form you will need to add the URL link to the relevant section of the form.
3. When you submit your East 15 application form, you will also need to supply a headshot - this can be taken on iPhone, Android or similar. It does not need to be a professional headshot.
4. Applicants submitting a video audition will also be required to pay an audition fee. Details of this can be found on the East 15 application form.

Please read all of the following information carefully:

Video Audition | Information for all applicants:

Introduction

All online audition materials must be performed in English.

At the beginning of your audition video, please take no more than 4 minutes to introduce yourself, telling us the following:

• Your name, age, and where you are from (i.e. I live in Birmingham). 
• Looking directly into the camera, and without referring to any notes or script, tell us why you want to study the course you have applied for and why at East 15
• MA Acting applicants only - also include the following in your introduction:
  • Tell us about something that has inspired you recently - this can be a performance or a piece of work (in any medium) or an experience that you have had. The choice is up to you and we cannot provide further advice on this. 

Two Speeches

After your introduction, you will need to include the following:

• A speech by Shakespeare or another Elizabethan/Jacobean playwright lasting no more than 90 seconds.
• A speech from a contemporary (post-1990) stage play lasting no more than 90 seconds.
• Please introduce each speech with the name of the character you are playing, the play from which the speech comes and the author of the play.  

Please refer to our 'tips for self-taping' below for how to frame these pieces when videoing.

Tips for self-taping: 

• Your video can be recorded using a smartphone camera (i.e. iPhone, Android etc.), 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 breast bone 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.  
  • If Required: for those asked to submit a short physical piece, please adjust this to full length.
• 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 and 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. 

You will need to provide the web address (URL) for this material within the East 15 application, so should have this ready before submitting the form. Instructions for uploading your file to a digital platform can be viewed here (.pdf).

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Courses that require an interview:

MA and MFA Theatre Directing

You are assessed on the basis of your written application, although you may also be called for an interview by telephone or Zoom.

MA Advanced Professional Theatre Practice

Applicants to this course should have an established professional profile (including formal or informal training and with or without a relevant first degree) in live performance; i.e. actors and other performers, directors, designers, stage and production managers. The programme is particularly suitable for those with a combination of professional and teaching experience; and for practitioners holding a conservatoire diploma who seek to upgrade their academic qualifications.

You will be assessed on the basis of your written application and should upload a copy of your professional CV/Resume with your application. You may also be invited to take part in an interview via telephone or Zoom.