Application Guidelines

Each of our courses has a different application route. Follow the guidelines for the course of your choice below to ensure you’re fully prepared for your audition or interview.

For 2022 entry, ALRA auditions will be in two stages.

First you will need to apply online (from mid-November) and book your Stage One audition. If successful at Stage One you will be invited to Stage Two.


Stage One

During a live Zoom meeting you will perform a contemporary monologue (from a play written post-2000),

We ask that your speech is:
– No longer than 2 minutes in length
– Prepared and learnt thoroughly
– Close to you in age
– In your own voice
Without costume or props

Stage Two

Stage Two takes place in person at ALRA. This can be at ALRA North or ALRA South – it’s up to you. You don’t have to audition at the campus you are applying to study at, but you might want to take the opportunity to visit your preferred location.

For Stage Two there are four elements (detailed below):

– Solo performance piece of your choice

We’d like you to perform a piece of your choice. This should be different to the monologue you performed in Stage One. This is an opportunity for you to perform something that resonates with you. Please choose something that represents your personal process or interests. This can be a speech, a piece of poetry, spoken word or any other way that you’d like to express yourself. It can, but doesn’t have to, be self-written. Speak in your own, natural voice. If English isn’t your first language we’d be happy to hear you perform in your native language too.

– Group workshop

The workshop is with a group of other applicants and led by members of the ALRA team. Please wear comfortable clothing so that you can move around freely. You don’t need to prepare anything for this.

– Duologue for camera

This part of the day is designed to give you a taste of some of the work you will do if you study at ALRA. Before you come, we’ll send you a short script that we’d like to you be familiar with. You don’t have to learn it, and you’ll be directed on the day.

– Interview

This is an opportunity to get to know all about you and for you to ask questions.


Audition Results

ALRA operates an Equal Opportunities Policy: all candidates will be assessed on their potential to meet the demands of the course and considered entirely on the basis of merit. Those showing the most aptitude at audition will be considered for Dance and Drama Awards.

The audition panel for all full-time courses are run by Course Leaders, Lead Tutors and senior staff members. Final selection is completed by the Principal and Head of Registry.

Successful applicants will have demonstrated a significant degree of talent, ability, preparation, aptitude and commitment, as well as the ability to make a positive contribution to and benefit from training with ALRA.

Access Requirements

If you have any access needs, there is an opportunity to let us know in your application.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.

Audition Fees for 2022 Entry

Stage 1 – £5

Stage 2 – £30

Outreach full audition – £35

Free Auditions are available, please see the How To Access A Free Audition page for more information.

Apply via the Apply page and submit all of your details. For MA Directing applicants, if you cannot make the dates currently open on the application system, please get in touch with us at admissions@alra.co.uk

Important: there is no application fee for the MA Directing course.

Once we receive all of your details, we’ll be in touch with what you need to do next.

In the next stage of the application, you will need to provide 500 words on your interest and experience in directing/theatre and your CV. You will then be contacted to participate in an online meeting which will include a directing task and an interview.

Task/Interview

The directing task will be explained prior to the meeting date and is designed to explore communication as well as investigate your artistic concept. This task will be presented, then the artistic rationale of the task will be discussed with the Course Leader and other senior members of faculty.

At interview, you will demonstrate sufficient potential to develop your personal creative process within the field of directing. You will discuss your reasons for wanting to take the course and any experience that demonstrates aspects of the relevant work.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the Admissions Team on admissions@alra.co.uk.

Interview Results

ALRA operates an Equal Opportunities Policy: all candidates will be assessed on their potential to meet the demands of the course and considered entirely on the basis of merit.

The selection panel for this course is ran by Course Leaders, Lead Tutors and senior staff members. Final selection is completed by the Principal and Head of Registry.

Successful applicants will have demonstrated a significant degree of talent, ability, preparation, aptitude and commitment, as well as the ability to make a positive contribution to and benefit from training with ALRA.

Apply via the Apply page and submit all of your details. For MFA Linklater Teaching Practice applicants, if you cannot make the dates currently open on the application system, please get in touch with us at admissions@alra.co.uk

Important: there is no application fee for the MFA Linklater Teaching Practice course.

Once we receive all of your details, you’ll then be contacted to participate in an audition and interview.

Audition

Prior to audition, you will be asked to submit a CV and a link to a ten-minute video of yourself doing a portion of the Linklater warm-up. This should be a YouTube or Vimeo link and should show your full-body. The warm-up must be self-led.

At audition, you will be asked to present the following:

– A classical speech (this can be Shakespearean/Jacobean/Elizabethan or an equivalent that may be from non-Western culture classical texts but contain elements of rhythm and poetry)
– A contemporary speech (2-3 minutes). This speech should either be selected from a play or a real-life political speech
– A song (unaccompanied verse and chorus)

Afterwards, you will be invited to interview.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the Admissions Team on admissions@alra.co.uk.

Audition Results

ALRA operates an Equal Opportunities Policy: all candidates will be assessed on their potential to meet the demands of the course and considered entirely on the basis of merit.

The audition panel for all full-time courses are run by Course Leaders, Lead Tutors and senior staff members. Final selection is completed by the Principal and Head of Registry.

Successful applicants will have demonstrated a significant degree of talent, ability, preparation, aptitude and commitment, as well as the ability to make a positive contribution to and benefit from training with ALRA.