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2016

entry

Audition
guidelines
BA (Hons) Acting
Congratulations on getting through to the audition stage at LIPA. We understand
how nerve-wracking the prospect of attending an audition can be, so please read
through these guidelines carefully. Remember were interested in finding out about
you as an individual, so please try to relax, be yourself and enjoy yourself on the day.

We want to achieve equality and diversity. We want to be accessible to everyone and we will make
reasonable adjustments if you are disabled. If you have any questions about this, please contact
Rob Hughes, our Student Support Manager: r.hughes@lipa.ac.uk or +44 (0)151 330 3013.
This information can be made available in other formats please let us know about any
specific needs you have.

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Mount Street, Liverpool, L1 9HF
www.lipa.ac.uk

Audition programme
09.00 - 09.15
Registration at LIPA
Pilgrim Street entrance.
During registration, you will be allotted a time slot for your individual audition and the workshop.
All candidates will also have the option of a time slot for a tour of LIPA with a student from the
Acting degree programme.
09.15 - 09.30
Welcome and course overview talk

09.30 - 13.30
Individual audition, workshop and building tour
Between these times you will have your individual audition and take part in a workshop. You
also have the option of going on a tour of the LIPA building. Once you have taken part in all of
the three aspects, you are free to leave. We will be seeing quite a lot of candidates, so you may
experience some periods of waiting around.

What the audition entails


Your individual audition pieces
You are asked to prepare three pieces for your audition: a contemporary speech from any play written
after 1960, one classical speech (Shakespearean/Jacobean/Elizabethan), and a devised piece. In the
speeches the audition panels are looking for your ability to make genuine emotional connection
with the material that you have chosen, and a perceived ability to create and live in the imagined
world of the text. In the devised piece, the audition panels are looking for an insight to the way in
which you perceive the world and your ability to construct a short piece of theatre.
Contemporary speech
Choose a modern speech from the naturalistic genre from a play written after 1960. This play should
reflect your own age and life experiences; were looking for something that allows us to get to know you,
so choose a character that you make a connection with.
Classical speech
Wed like you to choose your own speech, so what you present is a reflection of who you are. Again, wed
like to get to know you, so choose something that contrasts with your other pieces in terms of tone and
feel, as opposed to character. If a speech has a particular appeal for you pursue this, regardless of gender.
Dont feel you have to limit yourself to Shakespeare, try investigating other English playwrights from the
Jacobean and Elizabethan period, including Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, Thomas Middleton, John
Webster, etc, (no Greek or international works).
Here are our top tips to help you prepare for this part of the audition:
Choose a speech that you find exciting, challenging and engaging.
Make sure you have a thorough grasp of the material. If there are words or phrases you arent
sure you understand, get help from tutors, friends, etc.
Make sure youve spent some time imagining where, exactly, you are, and who it is youre
speaking to. If you can find a friend to speak the monologue to, it will probably greatly improve
your sense of imagination about the piece.
Dont try to imitate what you think classical actors should sound like use your own voice, your
own imagination and your own feelings. If in doubt, ask a friend if you sound like you!

Devised piece
We consider your ability to create your own work to be a vital aspect of the actors career in the twentyfirst century, as well as a valuable addition to your technical and creative skillset. Please devise a short
solo performance in response to a recent news story. The piece should be two minutes long (or less), and
should illustrate your ability to create an imagined world, demonstrate inventive choices and tell a story.
Here are a few hints and tips to help you create your own solo piece:
Choose a news story you connect with, and ask yourself why.
Identify the types of story-telling you like, and why.
Work with a beginning, middle and an end.
Try creating a character to help you tell the story.
Ask yourself, how does my character and story change from beginning to middle, middle to end?
Dont simply retell the news story; take something interesting and exciting from the article and
make it your own!
All speeches must not exceed two minutes in duration. The panel will stop anyone
who goes over that time.

Workshop
This workshop is led by a member of Acting staff. There is no need to prepare for this, but please
aim to engage with it as fully as possible.

Building tour
All candidates are welcome to take part in a building tour. You are shown round our facilities by two
of our current Acting students who will also take time to answer any questions you may have about
what it is like to study at LIPA. The tour is optional as some of you may already have experienced a
similar building tour if you attended one of our open day or guided tour events.

Recall audition
A selection of candidates will be asked to come back at a later date for a recall audition. We will
provide detailed guidelines for this to help you to prepare for it. In addition to the speeches prepared
for the first audition, recall candidates will present a short TV/film extract, working with a LIPA
student (this scene will be sent to you along with your notification of recall), and a musical theatre
song of your choice accompanied by a pianist (we provide the pianist). You will also be interviewed
by members of the course team staff.

What to wear to the audition


Please ensure you are dressed in loose clothing, comfortable for movement. Please do not wear
jeans or other restricting clothes. You may also be asked to work barefoot in a workshop. If for
medical reasons you cannot work barefoot, then please ensure you have appropriate, flat footwear.

What to bring to the audition


Please bring water, refreshments and something to read. There are periods when you will be
waiting around. Please remember to bring a passport photograph.

When will you hear from us after the


audition?
We do not normally tell you the outcome of your audition on the day itself. We will let you know
within three working days if we are inviting you to the recall audition. We usually do this via email.
If you have been unsuccessful at the first stage audition, we will inform you via UCAS and will also
send you a letter. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you are not
successful we are unable to offer feedback.

Any questions
We wish you the best of luck and hope you enjoy your day with us. In the meantime, if you
have any concerns about any aspect of the audition please contact Rik Davie at LIPA Admissions
Dept, tel +44(0)151 330 3116, email r.davie@lipa.ac.uk.
We aim for continual improvement in the applicant experience and would welcome any comments
or suggestions you have about our audition process. After the audition, well therefore email you to
ask you to complete an anonymous online survey about your experience with us.
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