Choosing your auditions pieces

It is vital that you choose your audition pieces well in advance of applying to Drama School. Many first-round auditions are now done by submitting a video audition. And some schools, such as RADA, give you a two-week deadline from the day you submit your application to the day your video audition is due. Likewise, LAMDA also only gives you 2 weeks to submit your video audition from the day they process your application. Make sure to read all the information about each school’s application and audition requirements, timelines, and deadlines on their websites.

Tips for Choosing Your Audition Speeches

1. Your speech should be from a published play. If you find your speech from a monologue book, make sure you find and read the entire play. It is important that you know and understand the entire context of your speech. By reading the whole play, you will be able to give a better performance because of all the information you will get about your character! (Some schools specify that a speech can be from a movie or TV show, but if they don’t, assume it needs to be from a published play).

2. Choose characters similar to your own age.

3. Perform you speeches in your own, native accent.

4. Choose pieces that are contrasting and allow you to show your range. For example, if you choose an intense, dramatic Classical speech where the character is angry, powerful, and intimidating, choose a Contemporary speech that contrasts with those emotions.

5. Choose pieces that you enjoy performing!

Important Note:

I have taken the below information from each school’s website as it was printed in July, 2025. Check each school’s website for updated audition requirements and further information.

First Round Audition Requirements for UK Drama Schools offering a BA (Hons) in Acting

RADA

• Video Audition

Introduction

1 Classical Piece - max 2 minutes

1 Contemporary Piece (post 1960) - max 2 minutes

LAMDA

• Video Audition

2 Contrasting Monologues*, one monologue max 3 minutes, the other max 2 minutes.

• *One of the monologues must be from this list. The second monologue should be a contemporary speech of your choice

Guildhall School of Music and Drama

• Video Audition

2 Contrasting Monologues: one monologue must be written in classical verse (words arranged in a rhythmic pattern). *

• *applicants are no longer required to prepare a speech written by Shakespeare (or a Jacobean/Elizabethan playwright) nor are applicants required to include a monologue from a play written in the 21st century.

Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

• Video Audition

1 Classical Speech - max 2 minutes

1 Contemporary Speech (post 1960) - max 2 minutes

1 Devised piece, inspired by a stimulus - 30-90 seconds

1 Song (unaccompanied) - max 2 minutes

Mountview

• In Person Audition (Online if International)

1 Speech in verse (Shakespeare or from Elizabethan, Jacobean, Ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or international equivalent periods) - max 2 minutes

1 Monologue in prose from a play written after 2000 - max 2 minutes

1 Physical Storytelling Piece (online submissions only)

ArtsEd

• Video Audition

1 Classical Piece - max 2 minutes

1 Contemporary Piece (post 1990) - max 2 minutes

Rose Bruford

• Video Audition

1 Classical Speech - max 2 minutes

1 Contemporary Speech - max 2 minutes

Drama Studio

• Video Audition

Introduction - max 2 minutes

1 Movement Piece (stimuli will be sent to applicants) - max 2 minutes

1 Classical Piece (pre 1710) - max 2 minutes

1 Contemporary Piece (post 1956) - max 2 minutes

Italia Conti

• Video Audition

Identification

1 Shakepeare Speech from the list provided on their website

1 Contemporary Speech (post 1970) - max 1 minute, 30 seconds

1 Object Story (Redefine and everyday object and tell us all about it)

Voice Exercises (provided in their audition pack)

“About You” brief chat to camera answering questions provided in their audition pack

East 15

• Video Audition

Introduction - max 90 seconds

1 Speech in Heightened Language (Shakespeare - Stormzy) - max 90 seconds

1 Contemporary Speech (post 20th century play, film, or TV) - max 90 seconds

Guildford School of Acting

• Video Audition

1 Classical Speech (preferably Shakespeare) - max 2 minutes

1 Contemporary Speech (published play post 2001) - max 2 minutes

1 Response to a source image

LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts)

• Video Audition

1 Self Created Screen/Digital Piece - max 2 minutes

1 Contemporary Monologue - max 2 minutes

1 Verse Speech - max 2 minutes

1 Self Created Piece

Manchester School of Theatre

• Video Audition

Introduction - max 2 minutes

2 Contrasting Monologues (OR 1 Monologue and 1 Song from Musical Theatre) - max 2 minutes each

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

• Video Audition

Introduction

1 Classical Speech

1 Contemporary Speech

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

• In-Person Audition

1 Contemporary Speech (preferably from 21st century) - max 2 minutes

1 Verse Speech (between 1150-1630) - max 2 minutes

OR

2 Contemporary Speeches (preferably from 21st century) - max 2 minutes each

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

• Video Audition

Introduction - 1 minute, 30 seconds

1 Contemporary Speech (post 1956) - max 2 minutes

1 Elizabethan/Jacobean Speech - max 2 minutes

OR

2 Contrasting Contemporary Speeches (post 1956) - max 2 minutes each