Acting & Musical Theatre: Smashing the Drama School Audition from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Acting skills for audition
Musical theatre skills
Audition skills

Interview skills
Dance call tips

Acting skills for audition
Musical theatre skills
Audition skills
Interview skills
Dance call tips

Syllabus

Confidence in your application and choices.

A brief overview of this short course. In this video I introduce myself and talk about what lies ahead.

The Personal Statement is the 'written' part of the audition. This will be likely be the first thing that admissions will see about you. Let's smash it!

Choosing the right drama school can be tough! There are so many out there, what makes them different? Here I will give you advice on how to pick the school that's right for you.

These are the very basic fundamentals in Acting. When preparing anything be it: Monologue, Scene or Musical Theatre song, it will be beneficial to hark back to the basics.

Inhabiting the mind of a character is something that can be broken down into simpler steps. Let's look at how to break a character's mind down so we can get in easily.

How do we choose a monologue? What makes a great monologue? All answered here.

Monologues are big walls of text aren't they? Well, yes. But they can be broken down into something workable.

Is this a Shakespeare Monologue I see before me? How the heck-eth do I even begin to do this?

A staple of the acting audition. Direction, improvisation, exercises - all covered in the workshop segment.

With so many songs to choose from in musical theatre rep, it can take a while. There are ways to identify the right song for you!

Dissecting a musical theatre song is very similar to dissecting a monologue. The process is slightly different however.

Engaging your voice is important before stepping into the musical theatre audition. Here are some very basic vocal warm up techniques to use in a tight spot.

Dancing, for natural dancers - it's a godsend. For non-dancers - it's daunting and a barrier for many. Here are some survival tips that will help you breakthrough despite your ability.

It's the audition where you don't sing, dance or recite poetry in old English. The interview. How do we go about approaching it and how do we prepare for a chat? All answered here.

Once you have stepped out of The Interview, it is the waiting game...

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers insights into audition preparation, drawing from the instructor's experience at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, which may help learners navigate the application process

Covers personal statements, which are often a crucial part of drama school applications, and may help learners craft compelling narratives

Addresses the selection of appropriate monologues, which is a key component of acting auditions, and may help learners showcase their talents effectively

Includes guidance on Shakespearean monologues, which can be challenging for many, and may help learners tackle classical texts with confidence

Provides survival tips for dance calls, which can be daunting for non-dancers, and may help learners overcome this common audition hurdle

Features advice on interview preparation, which is an often overlooked aspect of auditions, and may help learners present themselves effectively

Reviews summary

Prepare for drama school auditions

According to learners, this course offers practical guidance and a solid foundation for tackling drama school auditions. Many find the instructor's personal experience and insights invaluable, particularly the sections on monologue preparation and the interview process. While highly praised for its clarity and helpful tips, some feel it serves best as a good starting point and could benefit from more in-depth coverage on certain technical aspects like vocal or dance techniques for more advanced students. Overall, it is considered a beneficial resource for aspiring drama school candidates.

Excellent introduction, but might need supplements.

"A fantastic introduction to drama school auditions, especially for beginners."

"This course provides a great overview, but it's definitely a starting point, not a replacement for coaching."

"While helpful, I think more advanced students might find some sections a bit basic."

"Good foundational knowledge, but don't expect it to cover every technical aspect in depth."

Specifically tailored to the audition process.

"This course is laser-focused on the audition process, which is exactly what I needed."

"Doesn't try to teach full acting technique, but how to *apply* it to an audition."

"Appreciated that it was directly aimed at the drama school audition challenge."

"Provided very specific advice for the audition context, not general acting tips."

Strong coverage of choosing and preparing monologues.

"The section on choosing and breaking down monologues was particularly strong and well-explained."

"Understanding how to approach Shakespeare monologues was a game-changer for me."

"Found the monologue structure and analysis techniques very useful."

"Helped me select a monologue that suited me and understand how to work on it."

Helpful tips for approaching the audition interview.

"I was dreading the interview, but this course gave me a clear strategy."

"The advice on how to prepare for the interview felt spot on and reduced my anxiety."

"Getting insight into the interview process was really beneficial, it's often overlooked."

"Felt much more confident facing the interview after this module."

Instructor shares valuable personal insights.

"Brian's insights from his own audition experiences were the most helpful part for me..."

"The personal anecdotes shared by the instructor made the advice feel more real and relatable."

"His journey getting into RCS gave me confidence and practical tips."

"Hearing about his successes and challenges was very insightful."

Provides useful, actionable advice for auditions.

"I found the advice on approaching the interview section incredibly helpful, it demystified the process."

"The breakdown of choosing and dissecting a monologue was practical and easy to follow."

"Learned some practical techniques I could use immediately for warming up my voice."

"This course offered really actionable tips that I could apply directly to my preparation."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Acting & Musical Theatre: Smashing the Drama School Audition with these activities:

Review Basic Acting Techniques

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Reviewing basic acting techniques will help you approach monologues and scenes with a stronger foundation.

Browse courses on Acting Techniques

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Research Stanislavski's method acting.
Practice basic improvisation exercises.
Review script analysis techniques.

Review Musical Theatre Repertoire

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Familiarizing yourself with a wide range of musical theatre songs will help you choose appropriate audition pieces.

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Listen to cast recordings of popular musicals.
Research different musical theatre composers.
Identify songs that suit your vocal range and style.

Monologue Memorization Practice

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Practicing monologue memorization techniques will improve your confidence and delivery during auditions.

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Choose a monologue from a play.
Break the monologue into smaller sections.
Memorize each section using repetition and association.
Recite the monologue from memory.

Four other activities

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Mock Audition with Peers

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Participating in mock auditions with peers will provide valuable feedback and help you refine your audition technique.

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Organize a mock audition session with fellow actors.
Prepare a monologue and song to perform.
Provide constructive criticism to each other.
Simulate the audition environment.

Read 'Respect for Acting' by Uta Hagen

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Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of acting techniques and character development.

View Respect for Acting on Amazon

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Read a chapter each week.
Take notes on key concepts.
Apply the techniques to your audition pieces.

Read 'The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology'

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Reviewing this anthology will expand your knowledge of musical theatre repertoire.

View The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Volume... on Amazon

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Browse the anthology for potential audition songs.
Listen to recordings of the songs.
Identify songs that suit your vocal range and style.

Create a Video Portfolio

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Creating a video portfolio showcasing your acting and musical theatre skills will provide a valuable tool for self-promotion.

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Record yourself performing monologues and songs.
Edit the footage into a professional-looking video.
Upload the video to a platform like YouTube or Vimeo.
Share the video with casting directors and agents.

Career center

Learners who complete Acting & Musical Theatre: Smashing the Drama School Audition will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Actor

The life of an Actor requires perseverance, skill, and the ability to impress during auditions. This course can help an aspiring Actor prepare for the rigorous audition process required to enter prestigious drama schools. The course's emphasis on acting skills for auditions, including monologue selection and character analysis, builds a foundation for success in securing roles and building a career as an Actor. The insights gained from Brian Maitland's experiences at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland may provide a competitive edge when auditioning for drama schools and professional acting roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actor

Musical Theatre Performer

A Musical Theatre Performer needs a diverse skillset, including singing, acting, and dancing, along with the ability to excel in auditions. This course helps prepare a Musical Theatre Performer for the competitive world of drama school auditions. The course covers essential musical theatre skills, vocal warm-up techniques, and dance call tips. By learning how to dissect a musical theatre song and engage their voice, aspiring performers can gain the confidence needed to succeed in auditions and pursue a career as a Musical Theatre Performer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musical Theatre Performer

Casting Director

A Casting Director is responsible for selecting the actors for various roles in films, television shows, or theatrical productions. This course helps a Casting Director gain a better understanding of the audition process from the actor's perspective. By learning about the challenges and techniques actors face, a Casting Director can improve their ability to identify talent and make informed casting decisions. The course's insights on monologue selection, character analysis, and improvisation exercises can be invaluable in evaluating actors' skills and potential.

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Drama Teacher

A Drama Teacher educates students in the art of acting, theatrical performance, and dramatic literature and often guides students through audition processes. This course helps a Drama Teacher understand the pressures and preparedness needed for successful auditions. By understanding the audition process, a Drama Teacher can better prepare their students. The practical advice in the course, based on Brian Maitland's experiences and insights from prestigious drama schools, allows a Drama Teacher to provide valuable guidance to students aspiring to pursue careers in acting and musical theatre.

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Talent Agent

A Talent Agent represents actors and other performers, helping them find work and negotiate contracts. This course helps a Talent Agent to be more informed about the audition process that their clients go through. The course's focus on audition skills, interview skills, and dance call tips provides a comprehensive overview of what performers need to succeed in auditions. With this knowledge, a Talent Agent can better advise and prepare their clients for success in the competitive entertainment industry.

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Voice Coach

A Voice Coach trains individuals in vocal techniques, breath control, and performance skills to improve their singing or speaking abilities. This course may be useful as it provides insights into vocal warm-up techniques and dissecting musical theatre songs. By learning these techniques, a Voice Coach can incorporate them into their training sessions to better prepare their students for auditions and performances. The course's focus on musical theatre skills may be useful in helping voice coaches specialize in training musical theatre performers.

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Acting Coach

An Acting Coach works with actors to refine their skills, develop characters, and prepare for auditions or performances. The modules on acting skills for auditions, character analysis, and monologue selection may be useful for an Acting Coach. By understanding the audition process and learning techniques used by successful actors, an Acting Coach can provide valuable guidance and support to their clients. The course's insights on Shakespearean monologues and improvisation exercises may be useful as well.

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Theatre Director

A Theatre Director oversees all aspects of a theatrical production, from casting and rehearsals to set design and performances. This course may be useful for a Theatre Director as it helps to understand what actors experience during the audition process. The course's coverage of acting techniques, monologue selection, and improvisation exercises offers valuable insights that can inform the director's approach to working with actors and casting roles.

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Choreographer

A Choreographer creates and teaches dance routines for theatrical productions, films, or other performances. The dance call tips that the course provides may be useful for someone hoping to become a Choreographer. The course's focus on dance call tips helps a Choreographer to craft more helpful, clear, and useful advice. This course helps Choreographers to be better at their jobs, but it may not substantially change someone's career.

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Music Teacher

A Music Teacher educates students in music theory, instrumental techniques, and vocal performance. The insights provided in this course may be useful for learning about the musical theatre audition process. The course's coverage of musical theatre skills, vocal warm-up techniques, and song dissection allows a Music Teacher to better prepare their students for auditions and performances. This may be useful for a Music Teacher, but is not necessarily central to their role.

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Stage Manager

A Stage Manager is responsible for the logistical and organizational aspects of a theatrical production, ensuring that everything runs smoothly from rehearsals to performances. This course may be useful for a Stage Manager, allowing them to better understand the actor's experience. While the skills learned in this course will likely not transform someone into a Stage Manager, the empathy it helps to build may be useful.

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Film Director

A Film Director is in charge of the creative and artistic aspects of a film production, guiding the actors and crew to bring the story to life. The insights into acting techniques and audition processes provided by this course may be useful for a Film Director. The course's focus on character analysis, monologue selection, and improvisation exercises offers valuable insights that a Film Director can use to work more effectively with actors and elicit compelling performances. This course may not make or break a Film Director's career, but may be useful.

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Public Speaker

A Public Speaker delivers speeches and presentations to audiences on a variety of topics, often with the goal of informing, inspiring, or persuading. The insights provided in this course into performance skills may be applicable for public speaking. The course's content may be useful in refining their delivery, engaging with the audience, and overcoming stage fright. This course may not necessarily lead a person to becoming a Public Speaker.

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Speech Pathologist

A Speech Pathologist assesses, diagnoses, and treats communication disorders, including speech, language, and voice problems. The insights provided in this course may be useful for understanding vocal techniques and performance skills. While this course does not directly align with the core responsibilities of a Speech Pathologist, the knowledge gained may complement their expertise in voice and communication.

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Communications Consultant

A Communications Consultant advises organizations on how to effectively communicate their message to various audiences. While a Communications Consultant may not directly use all the skills taught in this course, some modules may be useful. The course's focus on interview skills may provide valuable insights that a Communications Consultant can use to help their clients improve their communication strategies. This course may not be the most direct route to becoming a Communication Consultant.

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Acting & Musical Theatre

Smashing the Drama School Audition

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Prepare for drama school auditions

Activities

Career center

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