Audition Information for September 2022 Entry
Firstly, we want to thank you for your application for September 2022 entry.
Our courses all require to audition in person. This is because we will often work with you to get the best out of you at audition, which is difficult to do with a self-tape.*
Some auditions, due to the high number of applications on the programme, require two rounds of auditions. The second round of these is usually at the end of March/Easter holidays.
*at the discretion of the course leader self-tapes may be accepted for first round auditions.
Virtual Tour
The Audition Process
Each course at The Arden will follow the same process:
STAGE 1 Video Audition:
You will be asked to submit a video audition (click the relevant audition material accordion below to find the specific course requirements). You will be contacted by our admissions team with a deadline to submit your first round auditions by.
STAGE 2 Review of Audition Material:
The team will review your UCAS form and the video evidence and make a decision on your application. This will normally happen within a week of the date you have been given to submit your audition videos by.
STAGE 3 Communication of First Round Decision:
Your UCAS application will be updated with either a new interview date (meaning you are through to the recall audition), a reject or in some instances the course team may feel there is another course we offer at The Arden or UCEN Manchester that is a better fit for you. Our admissions team we will contact you with the details of the alternative course and ask if you would be interested in this course and provide you any support you may need to follow the option of an alternative course.
STAGE 4 Recall Audition:
If you are invited back to the recall stage we ask that you confirm your new interview date on your UCAS account. The dates and times of the recall audition will be sent to you at this stage with any additional material you may need to prepare for the recall audition. The recall auditions will take place late March/early April 2021.
If you are unable to attend the recall audition in person due being placed in a shielding group or having to officially isolate due to COVID 19, please contact us so we can discuss your recall options.
STAGE 5 Communication of Recall Decision:
Following the recall audition your UCAS application will be updated with either an ‘Conditional/Unconditional Offer’ or a ‘Reject’. If you are given an offer and are intending to take up the offer of a place please confirm with a firm choice on UCAS.
Audition Material
Acting
This course is aimed at students who wish to pursue a career within Acting. In order for us to establish that this is the right course for you, we would like to invite you to submit a video audition.
The audition speeches and screen test give you the opportunity to demonstrate performance skills, understanding of dramatic text, characterisation and stagecraft. Please ensure you are “off book” for all aspects of the audition and that all Shakespeare speeches are prepared in your own accent.
In order to submit your video audition, you will be expected to:
- Self-tape a piece of Shakespeare from one of the following PDFs; male speeches or female speeches
- Perform a Screen Test (to camera) using the script here. Please learn “Role One” only and find someone else to read the other part in for you.
The audition is in two stages. If you are successful at the first audition, you will be invited to a recall where you will also be expected to prepare and perform an additional modern monologue of your choosing from a British play that is post 1997. Please avoid speeches from monologue books and have a good knowledge of the play that the speech is from.
Self-tapes must be filmed in landscape orientation these can be filmed using a mobile phone – you do not need any specialist equipment.
Please read our helpful guide on how to self-tape here, which will support you in your application.
Once you have completed your self-tapes please send them to arden@ucenmanchester.ac.uk via WeTransfer.
Self-tapes will need to be submitted by the date provided by the admissions team.
Please include in the message:
- Your name
- UCAS number
- Acting
If you have any questions prior to sending your audition videos in, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Acting Paul Broughton on:
pbroughton@ucenmanchester.ac.uk
Thank you for your interest in the Acting course. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Dance and Performance
This course is aimed at students who wish to pursue a career within dance, performance, and associated industries.
In order for us to establish that this is the right course for you, we would like to invite you to submit a video audition for the first round of auditions.
In order to prepare for your video audition, you will be expected to:
- Self-tape 1: A 1–2 minute solo showcasing your technical skills in a style of your choice.
- Self-tape 2: A 1-2 minute solo showcasing your technical skills in a different style to your first piece.
Self-tapes must be filmed in landscape orientation. These can be filmed using a mobile phone, you do not need any specialist equipment.
Please read our helpful guide on how to self-tape here, which will support you in your application.
Once you have completed your self-tapes please send them to arden@ucenmanchester.ac.uk via WeTransfer.
Self-tapes will need to be submitted by the date provided by the admissions team.
Please include in the message:
- Your name
- UCAS number
- Your Course: Dance and Performance.
If you have any questions prior to attending your audition, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Dance and Performance:
Belinda Grantham – bgrantham@ucenmanchester.ac.uk
Musical Theatre
This course is aimed at students who wish to pursue a career in Musical Theatre.
In order for us to establish that this is the right course for you, we would like to invite you send in video evidence of your technical performance skill set. After the initial video audition we will be inviting successful candidates to a recall audition.
In order to prepare for your audition, you will be expected to prepare and film the following:
- Self-tape – A full musical theatre song with backing track
- Self-tape – Your interpretation of the monologue found here.
- Self-tape – The Ballet Barre and Jazz Routine that we have uploaded.
Self-tapes must be filmed in landscape orientation. These can be filmed using a mobile phone, you do not need any specialist equipment.
Please read our helpful guide on how to self-tape here, which will support you in your application.
Once you have completed your self-tapes please send them to arden@ucenmanchester.ac.uk via WeTransfer.
Self-tapes will need to be submitted by the date provided by the admission team.
Please include in the message:
- Your name
- UCAS number
- Course applying for: Musical Theatre
If you have any questions prior to sending your audition videos in, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Musical Theatre Will Nelson on:
Thank you for your interest in the Musical Theatre course. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Theatre and Performance
The BA (Hons.) Theatre and Performance course, in partnership with Manchester’s renowned Contact theatre, trains you to be a creative performer and theatre maker.
Rooted in contemporary theatre, in the experimental and the avant-garde, the programme is challenging, dynamic and highly practical, for those students who are not only exceptional performers, but also artistic, imaginative, and resourceful makers. Importantly, this is not an actor-training programme, rather a course designed to nurture and develop the tools to create and perform evocative, convention-breaking, and extraordinary new work.
How to audition
In order for us to establish that this is the right course for you, we would like to invite you to submit a video audition.
The video audition is in two parts:
1. An audition speech: The audition speech gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your performance skills and understanding of text. You should prepare a contemporary post-1980 monologue. It is important that you pick a piece that reflects who you are, for example, use your own accent and age range
2. The non-performance text: This gives you the opportunity to showcase your creativity and imagination. You should deliver your choice of text, from the selection provided, directly to camera in any form or style – you can interpret this text in any way that best suits your character and personality.
Please find the following non-performance text to use as part of the Theatre and Performance audition. You should deliver your choice of text, from the selection provided, directly to camera in any form or style – you can interpret this text in any way that best suits your character and personality:
- FACTS: Afternoon Tea
- INFORMATION: Cookies
- A LIST: Countries of Europe
- INSTRUCTIONS: How to Tie Your Shoelaces
Self-tapes should be filmed in landscape orientation. Self-tapes can be filmed using a mobile phone, you do not need any specialist equipment.
Please see our self-tape guide here to help you with self-taping.
Once you have completed your self-tapes please send them to arden@ucenmanchester.ac.uk via WeTransfer.
Self-tapes will need to be submitted by the date provided by the academic services team.
Please include in the message:
- Your name
- UCAS number
- Theatre and Performance.
If you have any questions prior to sending your audition videos in, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Course for Theatre and Performance Dr. Wayne Jackson on:
Thank you for your interest in the Theatre and Performance course. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Vocal Studies and Performance
This course is aimed at students who wish to pursue a career as a vocalist.
You will be passionate about singing and learning how you sing, and control your voice. You will want to explore different genres of singing and to explore performing as a vocalist.
In order to prepare for the first round audition, you will be expected to prepare and film the following:
- Self-tape Audition – Sing two full length songs to a backing track. The songs should contrast in genre (e.g Pop, Musical Theatre, Country, Classical etc.)
Self-tapes must be filmed in landscape orientation. These can be filmed using a mobile phone, you do not need any specialist equipment.
Please read the helpful guide on how to self-tape here, which will support you in your application.
Once you have completed your self-tapes please send them to arden@ucenmanchester.ac.uk via WeTransfer.
Self-tapes will need to be submitted by the date allocated to you via our academic services team.
Please include in the message:
- Your name
- UCAS number
- Vocal Studies and Performance
If you have any questions prior to sending your audition videos in, please do not hesitate to contact the Deputy Head of School and the course leader for Vocal Studies and Performance – Andrew Stephenson on:
stephensona@ucenmanchester.ac.uk
Thank you for your interest in the Vocal Studies and Performance course. We look forward to receiving your videos soon.
Submitting Your Audition Videos
Video footage is accepted via WeTransfer.com,
a simple file sharing website. Click the button
below to upload your video.
Remember to include:
- Your name
- UCAS number
- Your Course
Extra Support
The following links may also prove useful whilst you
prepare for your audition:
