GSA UK

Applicants for all performance courses – BA Acting, BA Musical Theatre, BA Actor/Musician, MA Acting, MA Musical Theatre – must pay an audition fee*. This is currently set at £55 for BA/MA courses and £35 for Foundation.

The audition fee must be paid via your student portal. You will be e-mailed information on how to set up your portal once we have received your application.

*GSA is pleased to offer an audition waiver for eligible UK students applying for undergraduate courses for September 2017 entry.

To assess your eligibility please use the online postcode search tool. This tool will provide details of your POLAR3 score, if your postcode is in quintiles 1 or 2 you may be entitled to an audition fee waiver.

Please note that we are unable to assess applicants living outside of the UK or those from the Channel Islands or Isle of Man

Performance Courses

• Early application is advised to guarantee audition availability.
• Auditions for BA courses are held between November and March.
• Auditions for MA courses are held between December and May.

We try to make our auditions as enjoyable as possible. We do not expect you to be an accomplished performer. We are looking for potential and, if we see it, we would like you to feel convinced that GSA is the best place for your training.

The audition process enables us to make informed choices about candidates and their ability to undertake the rigorous training we offer. It gives you the opportunity to see whether this is the right school and training for you and to demonstrate whether you have the aptitude and physical ability to become a professional actor able to sustain a career in the performing arts industry.

REGIONAL AUDITIONS

Whilst the majority of auditions are held in the GSA studios on the University of Surrey campus in Guildford, we also hold regional first round auditions for undergraduate performance courses. Auditions for 2017 entry will be announced shortly:

UK & Ireland Regional Auditions:

• 2017 TBA: Edinburgh, Festival Theatre
• 2017 TBA: Dublin, Dance Ireland
• 2017 TBA: Belfast, Theatre at the Mill
• 2017 TBA: Birmingham, Dance Exchange
• 2017 TBA: Manchester, Contact Theatre
• 2017 TBA: Cardiff, Chapter Arts Centre

Recall auditions are held in Guildford.

OVERSEAS AUDITIONS

GSA welcomes applications from overseas.

International auditions for 2016 entry will be held in several locations across North America and Asia. International auditions venues and dates are now confirmed below:

• 2017 TBA: Hong Kong, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts
• 2017 TBA: New York, Pearl Studios
• 2017 TBA: Toronto

EU and other countries: Applicants are expected to audition in the UK.

GSA is pleased to audition candidates who have English as a second language. However, it must be emphasised that fluency and accuracy in the English language is essential. This, of necessity, should be matched by an extensive vocabulary, text awareness and a genuine desire to work on improving the language.

If English is not the applicant’s first language they will be asked to provide evidence that they meet the University of Surrey’s English language requirements. Students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK will also need to meet current UK Border Agency stipulations.

The University of Surrey has an IELTS test centre on campus. If you have IELTS at 0.5 below the required level for your programmes and at no lower than 0.5 below the level in any single component, you will meet our English requirements upon subsequent successful competition of the University of Surrey’s ten-week pre-sessional English programme, PS10, without the need to take another IELTS test.

AUDITION GUIDELINES

The audition panel is looking for:

• A vibrant and energised body and mind
• A healthy body and a healthy voice
• A knowledge of theatre, television and film
• An ability to transform the written text in either song or speech into believable and theatrically truthful words and thought
• An ability to freely use your imagination
• An ability to listen and follow instructions

At the point of an offer being made or a place on the reserve list, the audition panel will have assessed the following:

• An ability to work with others to achieve a presentable piece of work
• Spontaneity
• An ability and previous experience in singing, acting and dancing (for Musical Theatre the panel will expect potential in at least two out of the three)
• An ability to attempt everything regardless of previous experience
• A receptive and enquiring mind
• A voice and body that is trainable and a personality responsive to our methods of training

It is not possible to give any feedback from the audition process.

FOUNDATION MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITIONS

• You will be required to prepare 3 songs from Musical Theatre repertoire, of no more than three minutes each. 2 songs must be contrasting and one song should be legit, pre-1965.
• 2 monologues, 1 modern speech (post 1950) and 1 Classical. Monologues should not exceed two minutes each and one should be in your own accent. Please be ready to workshop your monologues.
• Dance call: You will need dance wear (jazz and ballet), please do not bring loose, poor fitting dance wear to these calls.
• Successful candidates will have a recall interview on the same day and be notified via post or email regarding entry.

FOUNDATION ACTING AUDITIONS

• You will be required to prepare 4 monologues of no more than two minutes each. 2 contrasting modern (post 1950) and 2 classical. Speeches should be in your own accent and ideally close to your own playing age. For classical speeches at least one should be a Shakespeare and the other one pre 1800’s. Please be ready to workshop your monologues.
• Acting workshop. (Please bring clothing which you can move in).

BA ACTOR MUSICIAN

Acting Workshop: Candidates must prepare one classical monologue (usually Shakespeare) of not more than two minutes. Speeches should be in your own accent and ideally close to your own playing age.

Movement Workshop: You will need dance wear (jazz and ballet), please do not bring loose, poor fitting attire.

Singing / Instrumental Workshop: All candidates will be asked to sing and play a piece on their chosen instrument. The song should be chosen to demonstrate vocal strength and effective character portrayal. The panel will be looking for musicianship, vocal versatility, agility and optimum vocal health.

It is not possible to give any feedback from the audition process

BA AND MA ACTING AUDITIONS

Candidates must prepare one classical and one contemporary monologue of not more than two minutes each. The classical speech should be pre-1800 and the contemporary speech should be post-1950. Speeches should be in your own accent and ideally close to your own playing age. You may be asked to take part in workshop exercises including theatre games and improvisations, and to take part in other ensemble activities.

You may be asked to re-present your speeches in a different way, so be prepared for this. You may not be required to perform all of the prepared speeches. You may also only be required to perform an extract of an audition speech – please be prepared to be flexible in the work you are asked to present. You may be required to attend a second round audition.

BA MUSICAL THEATRE FIRST AUDITIONS

Candidates should prepare one song from the published musical theatre repertoire lasting for no longer than three minutes. The song should be chosen to demonstrate vocal strength and effective character portrayal.