Applying For Drama School

The interview chat you have with them is important. Just as important as the audition!
What they are looking for? Above all else, what they want to see is YOU. They also want to see courage in performance, honesty and openness. They like people who are committed, focused, generous and able to work well with others, be they directors, tutors or fellow students.

They are asking:
Are we going to be able to work with this person?
Are they going to be positive and not negative? Open to Suggestion?
Are they going to be fun?
Can they hack it?
Can they do the hours?
Are they precious?

Don’t get in a state about ‘The Interview.’ There may not even be one. Some schools only do them at recall and even if there is it will probably take the form of a chat. Just try to be open and honest. As I have said before, if they ask you lots of questions that is good, and if they don’t ask any, that is also good. Be positive!
REMEMBER THERE IS NOT SO MUCH A RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER AS YOUR ANSWER.

But they do want to see someone who is INTERESTED in the business. Someone who knows what is going on and who is doing what. You need to take an interest. This is the world you are entering. It is no good thinking you would quite like to be on telly or a presenter. That is not what drama school is about. It is a tough, rigorous, mind, body and soul training for the stage.

Listen to the question and understand it before you answer. Don’t leap in with rubbish. Know what you want to say. If you are talking nonsense, admit it and change you answer. Don’t dig holes or continue with this line. Own up and start again. They will admire your honesty. If you don’t know something, say as much but offer a suggestion or opinion. This is much better than fumbling around and further ensnaring yourself.

It makes sense to keep a copy of your application forms and read them the night before along with your CV and personal statement. Many places base their chat with you on these things.

I could go on here about what the best or preferred answers might be, but this would be defeating the object. You need to think some of these through, but don’t come up with an automatic pre learned answer. To be honest, if you are truly serious about things and have passion for the Theatre and have done your research and have approached your pieces with integrity – then you will already know the answers to most of these. Even the nasty ones like what can you offer us? Or what can we offer you?

The most popular question is what have you been doing with yourself?

This is quite a hard question as you need to have thought about it. It is amazing the number of people who forget to mention what they have just been in and the show they did at Christmas. You can also mention work and travel. They want to know about YOU.