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ACTING & MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION TIPS

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PREPARING FOR YOUR ACTING AUDITION

For your acting audition, you are required to prepare and present TWO MONOLOGUES:

One Contemporary SCREEN Monologue
One Contemporary STAGE Monologue

Select and prepare two monologues from the suggested lists on the Sydney Actors School website before your acting audition. Your monologues must be memorised and fully prepared for the acting auditions. Some monologues may have been edited; please prepare the version provided. Furthermore, try to choose contrasting pieces to showcase your range, such as a comedic and a dramatic piece. Familiarise yourself as much as possible with the story and your character. Make sure you research and read the plays/screenplays or watch the films where the monologues come from, to give yourself some context of the material and/or to get a sense of the world of the character; however, when rehearsing and performing, please do not impersonate the actor’s representation of the character from the film version.

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PREPARING FOR YOUR MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION

For your musical theatre audition, you are required to prepare and present;

One Contemporary Screen OR Stage MONOLOGUE (Performed in-person in your first audition at Sydney Actors School)
One SONG of your own choosing (This must be pre-recorded and submitted before your first audition. Please also be prepared to perform your song live at the audition and bring your instrumental backing track with you.)
One DANCE performance (This must be pre-recorded and submitted before your first audition.)

MONOLOGUE

Select and prepare one monologue from the suggested contemporary Screen or Stage monologue lists on the Sydney Actors School website before your audition. Your monologue must be memorised and fully prepared for the auditions. Some monologues may have been edited; please prepare the version provided. Familiarise yourself as much as possible with the story and your character. Make sure you research and read the play/screenplay or watch the film where the monologue came from, to give yourself some context of the material and/or to get a sense of the world of the character; however, when rehearsing and performing, please do not impersonate the actor’s representation of the character from the film version.

SONG

Before your first in-person audition, you must record yourself singing one solo song of your choice (such as a ballad, up-tempo song, etc). Record yourself singing to a backing track (instrumental only) of the song. Remember, when selecting a song, choose one that suits your voice and showcases your range. When using a pre-recorded backing track, place the music source closer to you than the device on which you are recording. By doing this, your voice and the backing track will be more balanced in your recording. Perform a trial run first to test your audio and video quality. Watch it back to ensure everything looks AND sounds ok. Position your camera so your whole upper body is visible. Stand comfortably and perform as if in front of an audience. Avoid singing a cappella unless the song is written that way. Please also be prepared to perform your song live at the audition and bring your instrumental backing track with you.

DANCE

You are required to record yourself performing the set dance choreography in the video below, before your first in-person audition.

INSERT VIDEO HERE – “These Boots Are Made for Walking”

Ensure the camera shows your whole body throughout the routine. Use a space that is clear and safe for movement. Wear clothing that allows for movement but clearly shows your body line. Check your lighting so your movements are easy to see. Perform with energy and expression; we are looking for both storytelling and technique.

SUBMISSION

Combine your song and dance recordings into one file (if possible) or submit them separately, clearly labelled, before your first in-person audition, where you will perform your monologue and song to the audition panel.

File name format: FirstName_LastName_SASMusicalTheatreAudition

Submit via email link provided, to the SAS Google Drive or share a YouTube or Vimeo link.

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CAN’T MAKE THE AUDITION IN PERSON?

SUBMIT A SELF-TAPE INSTEAD

MONOLOGUE FILMING GUIDELINES

For your acting self-tape, you are required to prepare and film TWO MONOLOGUES, one Contemporary SCREEN Monologue and one Contemporary STAGE Monologue. For your musical theatre self-tape, you are required to prepare and film ONE MONOLOGUE, either a Contemporary SCREEN Monologue OR a Contemporary STAGE Monologue. If you are applying for both courses, one of the monologues you use for your acting audition can also be used for your musical theatre audition.

You can film on your phone or any available camera.
Keep the setup well-lit and straightforward — we need to see your face clearly.
Use a stationary camera for the best results. A tripod is ideal; otherwise, place your phone/camera on a stable surface (or ask someone with steady hands).
Frame the shot as a medium close-up: from the top of your head to just below your shoulders, with a small amount of space above your head.
Always film in landscape (horizontal) orientation.
Use natural light if possible, with the light source behind the camera. Avoid standing in front of a window (this will create a silhouette).
Record a test clip first to check the lighting, framing, and sound before taping your full scene.

SONG FILMING GUIDELINES (MUSICAL THEATRE ONLY)

Record yourself singing ONE SOLO SONG of your choice (such as a ballad, up-tempo song, etc). Record yourself singing to a backing track (instrumental only) of the song. Remember, when selecting a song, choose one that suits your voice and showcases your range. When using a pre-recorded backing track, place the music source closer to you than the device on which you are recording. By doing this, your voice and the backing track will be more balanced in your recording. Perform a trial run first to test your audio and video quality. Watch it back to ensure everything looks AND sounds ok. Position your camera so your whole upper body is visible. Stand comfortably and perform as if in front of an audience. Avoid singing a cappella unless the song is written that way. Please also be prepared to perform your song live at the audition and bring your instrumental backing track with you.

DANCE FILMING GUIDELINES (MUSICAL THEATRE ONLY)

You are required to record yourself performing the SET DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY in the video below, before your first in-person audition.

INSERT VIDEO HERE – “These Boots Are Made for Walking”

SLATE (Introduction)

At the beginning of your self-tape, please include a short identification slate.

Please state your Name, Height, Age, Location and then tell us a little bit about yourself.

FILE PREPARATION

Combine your monologue recordings into one file if possible. (Acting Auditions)

Combine your monologue, song, and dance recordings into one file (if possible) or submit them separately, clearly labelled. (Musical Theatre Auditions)

If submitting separately, ensure files are clearly labelled.

File name format: FirstName_LastName_SASActingAudition OR FirstName_LastName_SASMusicalTheatreAudition

SUBMISSION

Submit via email link provided, to the SAS Google Drive or share a YouTube or Vimeo link.

ON THE DAY

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your audition. Be aware that street parking is the only available option.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to move in (i.e. no tight jeans or skirts, and flexible footwear, eg, no heavy boots – for the reason that you may be asked to work barefoot).

Bring a bottle of water.

You may be auditioning in a small group or solo.

There will be a brief improvisational warm-up, and thereafter you will be invited to perform in front of the panel and fellow auditionees. The audition will take up to three hours.

Be aware that your monologues, song and dance may or may not be workshopped by the Sydney Actors School panel.

Make sure you know your lines well and can perform without reference to the script or another set of notes.

We are interested in your;

Individual interpretation of the text and character.
Vocal and physical potential.
Ability to take direction.
Sense of play.
Willingness to connect with the other actors in the space.

Be yourself. Be bold. Have fun. Treat the acting audition like a great workshop experience.

Following your audition, you may receive an email inviting you to attend the callback audition.

CALLBACK AUDITION

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your audition, be aware, there is only street parking available.

Wear loose comfortable clothing that is easy to move in (i.e. no tight jeans or skirts, and flexible footwear, eg. no heavy boots – you may be asked to work barefoot).

Bring a bottle of water.

The Call Back Audition will be run almost like a workshop, with all auditionees working together.

Those auditioning should be prepared to perform their monologues or song again (unless given new material to learn for the callback audition).

The Callback Audition will last up to three hours.

The Sydney Actors School Acting course maintains a rigorous schedule, four days a week, over two years. At this phase of the audition process, you will be required to disclose any existing injuries or psychiatric/physiological conditions which may possibly impact or effect your progression through the acting course.

AFTER THE AUDITION

If you did not receive a Call-Back Audition, we regret that you will not be receiving an offer this time. An email confirming this and thanking you for your audition will, however, be sent to you.

There is a limited number of places offered for the Sydney Actors School acting and musical theatre courses each year. These people will receive an email to inform them of the successful outcome of their auditions, and they will be offered a place at Sydney Actors School.

Finally, we regret that it is not possible to give individual feedback on matters relating to your audition.