Notification of your Audition for Level 3 Performing Artsand what to prepare for it! 

Notification of Audition 

Congratulations on your recent interview for a place on our Level 3 Performing Arts course due to commence in September 2020.  As is normal practice in the Performing Arts industry, you should have been informed at the interview that as part of the provisional acceptance onto your course, you would be required to attend an Audition Day. As a team, we believe in awarding places based on your talent, not just on academic achievements, so it is important that you take this opportunity to show us what you can do as a performer. Due to the current climate, we do not currently have a confirmed date for the audition but please be prepared to do in person or virtually during the last week of August or the first week in September. As a team, we will notify you of the exact date once College reopens.  

Please could you confirm that you still wish to attend an audition with us by emailing  claire.gilbert@newcollege.ac.uk. If, however, you no longer wish to study Level 3 Performing Arts at New College, please let us know so we can remove you from the audition list. 

 *Please note we reserve the right not to offer a guaranteed place on the course if you do not attend an audition. Acceptance on the course is only valid until September 21st after which acceptance on the course will be at the discretion of the course leader.* 

What will the Audition involve? 

The Audition Day will give you a flavour of the course and the type of work and expectations we have of our Performing Arts learners in terms of creativity, discipline and commitment! You will also have the chance to meet us, ask questions and explore the facilities we have to offer. It will give us the opportunity to meet with you in person and assess your suitability for the course.  

Please find below specific details of what you will need to prepare for your audition and the provisional timetable for the Day (again the exact date has not be confirmed). You will also need to wear suitable clothing in preparation for the practical exercises and Dance Workshop that you are undertaking and we strongly recommend you bring light snacks, a water bottle and a prepared lunch to keep your energy levels up.  

Provisional timetable for the Audition Day… 

09.00am Students Meet @ Reception 

09:00 – 09:15                     Introduction to staff and the course. Submit Personal Statements if not emailed.  

09:15 – 09:45                     Acting Warm-Up Workshop  

09:45 – 10:15                     Acting Monologues 

10:15 – 10:30                     Short Water & Snack Break                             

10:30 – 11:30                     Dance Workshop and Performance 

11.00 – 12:00                     Lunch Break 

12:00 – 12:30                     Singing Workshop  

12:30 – 13:00                     Singing Performances 

13.00 – 14:00                     Interviews 

14:00                                  End of Auditions  

What to Prepare? 

Personal Statement  

Write a Personal Statement about yourself, highlighting your skills, experience, knowledge and suitability for our Performing Arts course. The statement should be a minimum of 500 words, be word processed and emailed to Claire Gilbert (claire.gilbert@newcollege.ac.uk) before the Audition day. Alternatively, you can print it out and give to us at the beginning of the Audition Day.  

The Personal Statement should cover the following points: –  

• A little bit about you – name, age, hobbies, interests, likes and dislikes, which school you have come from. 
• Why you have chosen to study Level 3 Performing Arts.  
• What experience you already have in Performing Arts. (E.g. what roles have you played/ performances have you been a part of – you could refer to amateur or educational experiences) 
• What interpersonal and performance skills (Acting, Singing or Dance) you have gained from such experiences? 

• What you think are your key strengths and areas for development as a Performer and why. 
• Who and/ or what has inspired you as performer and why? (E.g. you could refer to a favourite Play, Playwright, Theatre Practitioner, Actor or Genre of Theatre).  
• What you are hoping to learn over the next two years and where you want this course to take you… 

In preparation for your ACTING WORKSHOP 

Please select, rehearse, learn and perform from memory a monologue/dramatic speech from a play of your choice. You are free to cut it so that it will be 2-3 minutes in length. We just need to see a ‘burst’ of acting from you so we can see your strengths and what areas of performance we can help you develop. You can use costume, props and some small bits of set if it helps you. But remember, we are watching YOU –  we want to see how you use voice and movement to interpret your speech. Here are some suggested plays that you might want to source your monologue from! 

• DNA by Dennis Kelly (Male and Female) (http://www.tdms.worcs.sch.uk/old%20live%20files/homework/Drama/Year10/10052017-DNA%20Scanned%20Text.pdf) 
• Girls by Evan Placey (Female) 
• The Grandfathers by Rory Mullarkey (Male and Female) (http://www.paulormerod.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/The_Grandfathers_by_Rory_Mullarky_-_FINAL_draft_-_Nov_2011.pdf) 
• Teechers by John Godber (Male and Female) 

In preparation for your SINGING WORKSHOP 

Rehearse, learn and perform from memory – a song (or extract) from a Musical. Your song should last approximately 1‑2 minutes in length. Please try and select a song that will suit your current skills level as singer. There are song suggestions listed below that you could choose from. 

You may sing to a backing track, an AUX lead is available to play a song directly from your mobile phone or media source or please provide a compatible CD.  Alternatively you can sing a-capella.  

 Songs for Confident and Experienced Singers…. 

Female Songs 

 “She Used To Be Mine” from Waitress  

“On My Own” from Les Misérables 

“The Life I Never Led” from Sister Act (The Musical) 

“Let Me Be Your Star” from Smash 

“With You” from Ghost: The Musical 

“One Night Only” from Dream Girls  

 
Male Songs 

“Waving Through A Window” from Dear Evan Hansen 

“Giant In The Sky” from Into The Woods 

“Blood in the water” from Legally Blonde 

“Stars” from Les Misérables 

“Michael in the Bathroom” from Be More Chill 

 Songs for Singers with little or no Experience…. 

Female Songs  

“Adelaide’s Lament” from Guys and Dolls 

“Thank You for the Music” from Mamma Mia! 

“And All That Jazz” from Chicago 

“As Long as He Needs Me” from Oliver!  

“Popular” from Wicked 

Male Songs 

“I Believe” from The Book of Mormon 

“Corner of the Sky” from Pippin 

“Mr Cellophane” from Chicago 

“Razzle Dazzle” from Chicago 

“Freeze your brain” from Heathers 

In preparation for your DANCE WORKSHOP 

You will participate in a short group Contemporary/Jazz Dance class, which will be led by one of the Dance Lecturers. Whilst you are not required to prepare anything for this part of the Audition you must ensure you wear suitable clothing  (trainers, jogging bottoms, etc.  No jeans or tight clothing). 

In preparation for your INTERVIEW 

You will participate in a short group interview with the panel and you will be asked questions based on your Personal Statement. You will also have the opportunity to ask us any relevant questions.  

There are facilities in College to purchase refreshments in the break. 

Please DO NOT BRING ANY VALUABLES.   

We will not be responsible for any loss or damage of any belongings.  

We look forward to meeting you! 

The Performing Arts Team