Undergraduate FAQ’s
Musical Theatre FAQ’s
How many people on average are accepted onto the course each year and how many people do you audition?
We have an Intake of 48 Students and approximately 1500 apply
What do I need to do at my audition?
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre* Audition Requirements
* validated by City Univesity
There are two stages to the audition:
Stage 1 consists of a jazz workshop, followed by a short singing audition. Candidates should prepare two songs in full. One should be a ballad written no later than 1965 (something like ‘If I Loved You’ from Carousel), and the other should be contrasting – something you enjoy singing! For stage 1 you should prepare a section from each of the two songs, each lasting no longer than one minute. The audition panel will choose to hear one or both of these sections. Sheet music in the right key must be brought for both songs. Please avoid character songs, such as ‘Adelaide’s Lament’ (Guys and Dolls) or ‘My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada’ (Avenue Q). We need to hear YOUR voice – pretending you have a cold or that you are the voice of a puppet will not be helpful! If you are invited to continue to Stage 2 you may be asked to perform the same two songs in full and two acting monologues.
Stage 2 Candidates will be selected to stay for this stage. Some may be required to dance again. All candidates will be asked to sing again using their songs as previously prepared for the first stage of the audition.
You should also prepare two contrasting monologues*, one from a play by Shakespeare and the other chosen from a play written after 1960. The modern piece must be from a play and not a musical and should not be in verse. Both pieces should be learnt off book and MUST not exceed 2 minutes each.
* please do not do any of the following speeches
Puck – Midsummer Nights Dream
Ariel – Tempest
Launce – Two Gentlemen of Verona
Laughing Wild – Tuna Fish Monologue
Equus
Gut Girls
Alan Bennet – Talking Heads
Each candidate selected for Stage 2 will also have an interview with senior tutors and a possible orthopædic examination by a qualified physiotherapist for which top and shorts should be worn.
Do you take students from overseas?
Yes Non EU students need to have a student visa.
The UK Government is reviewing the systems whereby overseas students from non-EU countries can study in the UK. We are currently taking advice from the UK Borders Agency as to how to proceed which may cause a delay in the processing of your application to study at Arts Educational Schools. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause
If I have a disability can I still apply?
The School does not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religious beliefs or age. The full ArtsEd Equal Opportunities Policy is available to download from the website http://www.artsed.co.uk
Are your able to audition via video or dvd?
We’re sorry but we need to see you in person.
Do you hold any open days?
Our audition day is an open day and our public productions are a fantastic way of seeing the excellence of our training without disrupting the current students learning experience.
Is entry via UCAS?
Entry is through direct application and audition.
Do you have to have any specific exam results or grades to be able to apply ?
No
Are there many boys on the course?
Approximately 65% of our current intake are male.
I’ve only been singing and dancing for a couple of years but really want to study musical theatre, do I have enough experience to apply for the course?
Absolutely we are looking for potential and ‘trainability’.
How do you apply for the course and what’s expected at audition?
Please see Applications section
When is the closing date for receipt of applications?
31st March 2011
When do you hold auditions and can we choose when we want to audition?
Auditions are generally held on Tuesday’s during term time from October through to April. If we offer you a date you are unable to attend due to extenuating circumstances like exams or illness we will do our best to reschedule.
I have already done a year on a different course but don’t like it, am I able to transfer onto the ArtsEd course and go straight into the second year?
No ours is a three year training and unique to other institutions.
What’s the maximum age you can apply for the course?
There is no maximum age.
What’s the minimum age you can apply for the course?
You need to 18 when the course commences.
How do I find people to live with?
The school will send an accommodation list with details of private landlords and local letting agents. You will also be ‘buddied’ with a current student who will give you some guidance. The majority of students live locally in rented accommodation, sharing flats and houses. Students looking for flatshares often find accommodation through student postings on social network sites.
Are there any residential halls for new students?
No.
How strict is it going to be?
Musical Theatre training is very rigorous – you are learning 3 skills. We train people to be professional, focused, hard working, talented but individual performers. This takes dedication and passion. Is it strict – well that is up to you and your work ethic!
How much assistance will I receive in organising my finances?
I’m afraid there is a limit to how much advice we can give.
What student support can I get alongside my Dance and Drama award?
The Dance and Drama Award scheme have their own helpline.
Is there a canteen at school and what’s the average price for lunch?
Please see facilities section.
What does a typical timetable look like and how is the day structured?
Very full! You have classes or rehearsals all day – 5 days a week from 8.45am-6pm and sometimes beyond and then work has to be prepare for the following day. You could be going from an acting class straight into ensemble singing straight into jazz followed by Speech & Voice then 1-2-1 singing!
What are the acting classes like?
The acting classes are a fun way of exploring your own creative process. Through games, improvisation and text work you will work towards releasing your imagination and developing your own methods of creating truthful, exciting and bold characterisations.
What is the breakdown of the timetable, is it well balanced, how many hours dance /singing/acting?
As this is a TRIPLE THREAT COURSE the weighting with each discipline is the same 33.3% Acting 33.3% Singing 33.3% Dance.
At what stage in the course do we get to perform?
You have performance opportunities in each year, but you do not perform in public until Year 3 when you will be in full staged, professionally staffed musicals in one of our 2 theatres plus the opportunity to perform in the West End at the Agent Showcase.
How many one to one singing lessons does a student get each week?
2
Is there any written work?
There are not formal essays but you have to do a journal on each of the 3 performance projects in years 1&2 and a Production Journal in Year 3
I’m dyslexic, is there much support for me at the school?
Not a problem. We have a student Welfare tutor & a member of staff who is trained in dealing with dyslexic students and other learning needs and requirements
Are all the materials for college included in the fees?
You will need to set aside funds for books and dance wear and for any photocopied material for shows but photocopied material is minimal unless you copy songs for your own repertoire.
How do I qualify for a Dada?
DaDa’s are awarded to the most talented auditionees but their financial circumstances are also taken into consideration.
How long will I have to wait to find out if I have been given funding?
Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule regarding this as sometimes auditionees are offered funding straight away but more often than not we cannot make a decision until all of our auditions have finished. Once the auditions have finished we can look at who has the most potential and offer them funding. Unfortunately we are not able to offer funding to everyone who is offered a place.
If you get a Dada are you still eligible for maintenance benefits?
A form will be sent to enable you to then apply for a means tested DaDa maintenance grant.
If you aren’t awarded a Dada where can you go to get help and advice re: other funding?
We recommend you research funding options as soon as possible, your local library will hold a list of charitable trusts and foundations that may be able to help you. Students who are offered a place should also look in to applying for the BBC Performing Arts Fund – see their website for further details.
Are there other ways of funding the course to pay for expenses such as rent, books, bone prop, library costs etc?
Please see answer to the above question.
Do we get to go on any organised theatre trips to see shows and if so do we have to pay for these?
We are very close to the West End and we are offered complimentary tickets or reduced price tickets for many productions
Are you allowed to have a part time job whilst studying?
Yes, but the course is very intensive, so you will need to have rest & relaxation time as well.
Is there a physio at the school and if so do we have to pay for this and when is the physio available?
The physio is in 2/3 a week and offers a heavily discounted rate
What support does the college offer to any injuries I may sustain during the course?
We have a resident physio, a fitness tutor for rehab, Osteopathic consultant and Alexander Technique. In addition we a Counsellor that we can refer students to (a free service)
Is ArtsEd a triple threat college? A lot of people consider it to be heavy on the dance side which stopped me from applying until I’d heard that it had changed!
This a misconception of the course. It is the only genuine triple threat musical theatre training in the country!
How many holidays do we have, are they like University holidays?
The training is based on 3 terms of 11 weeks with a half term in the middle
Do you do any dance syllabus work? Can you take exams?
No we don’t offer that. The course is a BA (Hons) Musical Theatr (validated by City University) and National Diploma in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) (validated by Trinity College)
If my dancing isn’t very strong should I still apply?
Yes we are highly skilled at identifying potential
Is there an anti bullying policy?
The School does not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religious beliefs or age. The full ArtsEd Equal Opportunities Policy is available to download from the website http://www.artsed.co.uk
What sort of pastoral care is available?
There is a Year Head for each of the three years and one for the MA students. We have an open door policy. We are always here for the students and they can always contact a senior member of staff 24/7
Is there a school doctor?
Yes, they visit the school weekly for appointments
What is Chiswick like?
Chiswick is a leafy suburb in London, zone 2. It has a vibrant shopping, café and bar culture.
It is well connected with tubes and buses into central London.
What would I expect to pay for rent in the area?
The average rent for a room is between £90 – 120 a week.
