Communication, Screen and Performance Interview and Audition Days

What to expect

We’re excited to welcome you to your audition for the BA Acting course at Chester! You’ll soon receive an email from us confirming the date, time, and location of your audition. On the day, you’ll be allocated a specific audition slot – we’ll take care of that when you arrive.

Please arrive at the time stated on your event ticket so we can get you registered and settled in. It’s a relaxed start to a day full of creativity and connection.

Before your audition, you’ll take part in a couple of sessions where you’ll:

• Learn more about the course and the University.
• Meet staff and fellow applicants.
• Explore our fantastic facilities and get a real feel for life at our Creative Campus.

Check out our Creative Campus, Kingsway video if you’re feeling curious before your visit.

How to prepare

Your audition will include:

• A one-hour group workshop led by one of our lecturers- no need to prepare anything in advance. Just bring your energy, openness, and readiness to collaborate.
• A 10-15 minute individual audition slot, where you’ll perform two memorised monologues:
• One classical (Shakespeare or equivalent)
• One contemporary (20th–21st century)

Each monologue should be 2-3 minutes long. Choose pieces that showcase your strengths and excite you- we love seeing your individuality shine through.

Past auditionees have performed monologues from…

Classical Monologues

• Viola – Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
• Edmund – King Lear by William Shakespeare
• Helena – A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
• Hotspur (Henry Percy) – Henry IV, Part 1Contemporary Monologues
• Dennis – This Is Our Youth by Kenneth Lonergan
• Rosie – Things I Know To Be True by Andrew Bovell
• Andrea – The Effect by Lucy Prebble
• Jamie – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens

Break a leg and make sure to message Course Leader, Pamela Barnes, if you have any questions in the lead-up to the day.

What to expect

You will receive an email invitation from us with the date, time, and location of your audition, and you will be allocated a specific audition slot on the day.

Make sure to arrive at the time on your event ticket so we can register you for the audtion.

There will be a couple of sessions before your audition where you will be introduced to the course and the University, and you’ll also be shown our fantastic facilities to get a real feel for the place. Check out our Creative Campus, Kingsway video if you’re feeling curious before your visit.

You will be asked to perform a prepared piece of music for us.  

There will also be an opportunity for you to discuss your interest in music production, along with any previous experience or recording experience you might have had.

How to prepare

Your audition for Commercial Music will be with a member of the course team and should last no longer than 15 minutes.

The main focus of your audition will be a piece of music you choose yourself. You can either sing or play your instrument of choice, and the piece should be no more than four minutes.

• Vocalists- bring a backing track to sing along with on your smartphone or portable drive. You also have the option of accompanying yourself on another instrument if you prefer.
• Instrumentalists- you can either play to a backing track (in which you should bring it in the same format as vocalists), or you can play unaccompanied. Please note that you are expected to bring all instruments and/or equipment that you require. A drum kit, piano, and amplifiers for electric guitar and/or amplifiers for electric bass guitar will be available as an exception; however, drummers, please remember your own sticks!

Top tips for choosing your performance piece

1. Pick something you love and that you’re comfortable performing. We want to see what inspires you about music!
2. Take care to play something that will adequately demonstrate your skills as a performer, a piece that will challenge you to a degree.
3. Choose a piece that’s in a style you enjoy; we will be looking at your performance ability in the audition, and the best way for you to show this off will be to stick to a style of music you are used to.
4. Easier said than done, but don’t be nervous! Music and performance are unpredictable by nature, and we’ll still be able to gauge your ability even if you let the nerves creep in.
5. Go for straightforward and effective over complicated. We want you to shine, and in order for you to do this, we’d recommend going for a solid piece that you know inside and out.  

Check out our course video to see what music is like at Chester before you get here, with some messages from our students about the support and facilities on our creative campus.     

Perform your heart out and make sure to message Dr Jim Mason if you have any questions in the lead-up to the day.

What to expect

When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by our team and allocated your individual audition slot.

Make sure to arrive at the time on your event ticket so we can register your audition.

After registration, you’ll take part in a series of information sessions where you’ll learn more about the BA Drama course, meet some of our staff, and get a feel for life at university. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore our facilities and see where your training could take place- it’s a great chance to imagine yourself here.

Your audition day will include:

• A one-hour practical workshop, designed to give you a taste of our ensemble-led training. You don’t need to prepare anything in advance- just bring your curiosity, energy, and willingness to collaborate. It’s a chance to meet fellow applicants, explore creative exercises, and experience the kind of dynamic, supportive environment we foster on the course.

Make sure to message Course Leader, Dr Pamela Barnes via p.barnes@chester.ac.uk, if you have any questions in the lead-up to the day.

What to expect

You will receive an email invite from us with the date, time and location of your interview and will be allocated a specific interview slot on the day.

Make sure to arrive at the time on your event ticket for registration just so we can double check your details.

There will be a couple of sessions before your interview where you will be introduced to the course and the University, you’ll also be shown our fantastic facilities at Gateway in the middle of the city of Chester to get a real feel for the place.

You will have an informal interview with a lecturer on your course and there will also be a written exercise.

How to prepare

Your interview for Music Journalism will be more of a conversation about your interests in music and the media. Some suggestions that you could think about are:

• A story around an artist that really inspired you

-What was it about the story that inspired you?

-Would you want to share and promote similar stories in the future?

• An interview with an artist that interested you

-Did you learn something new about this artist?

-How did the interviewer encourage this discourse?

-What were the questions the journalist asked like? Would you use similar techniques?

• A piece or video about a gig or festival that captured your interest

-What was it about this piece or video that resonated with you?

-What did they focus on?

-Why did you like reading/watching this perspective on the gig or festival?

Make sure to bring along anything you’ve written or produced around Music Journalism for us to take a look at as well. Have a think about anything you’ve done in the past that’s relevant to your passion for Music Journalism, but no need to worry if you don’t have this as previous experience isn’t an essential requirement.

Check out our course video to see what Music Journalism is like at Chester before you get here with some messages from our current students about the support and facilities on our city-centre campus.     

Good luck being the interviewee as you embark on being the interviewer and make sure to message Course Leader, Dr Simon Morrison, if you have any questions in the lead-up to the day.

What to expect

You will receive an email invitation from us with the date, time, and location of your interview, and you will be allocated a specific interview slot on the day.

Make sure to arrive at the time on your event ticket so we can register you for your interview.

There will be a couple of sessions before your interview where you will be introduced to the course and the University, and you’ll also be shown our fantastic facilities to get a real feel for the place. Check out our Creative Campus, Kingsway video if you’re feeling curious before your visit.

You will have an informal interview with a lecturer on your course, which should last up to 15 minutes.

How to prepare

Before your interview, we would suggest that you have a think about your interest in music production, along with any previous relevant experience you might have. Some talking points to think about:

• What makes you want to study music production?
• Do you have any role models in the music industry that inspire you?
• Why do they inspire you?
• What about their careers resonates with you?
• What areas of music production do you have knowledge of, and what would you like to expand on?

You may wish to bring along any previous work you have that may be relevant to the course, but don’t worry if you don’t have this, it’s not a requirement of the interview!

Check out our course video to see what music is like at Chester before you get here, with some messages from our students about the support and facilities on our creative campus.     

Good luck and make sure to message the Course Leader, Dr Jim Mason, if you have any questions in the lead-up to the day.

What to expect

You will receive an invitation with all the details for your audition day. On arrival, our team will welcome you, assist with registration and help you feel comfortable. The day is designed to be supportive and creative, giving you a real sense of the course and the University.

Make sure to arrive at the time on your event ticket so we can register you for your audition. 

Before the practical audition begins, there will be introductory sessions where you can learn more about the course, meet staff and current students and tour the facilities to get familiar with the environment. Check out our Creative Campus, Kingsway video if you’re feeling curious before your visit.

How to prepare

The practical audition has two parts.

The first part is a one-hour dance workshop led by a course lecturer. The workshop is an opportunity to move together and explore new ideas. Please wear comfortable clothing that allows free movement (no jeans). During the workshop, we will move in bare feet. No dance shoes are required. Changing facilities are available if needed.

The second part is an individual audition. You will need to prepare two memorised monologues: one classical, such as Shakespeare, and one contemporary from the twentieth or twenty-first century.

Each monologue should be 2–3 minutes long. Choose pieces that showcase your strengths and excite you, we love seeing your individuality shine through!

Here are some examples of monologues past auditionees have chosen. These are just for inspiration and you are free to select any pieces that best showcase your own strengths and individuality.

Monologues 

• Viola– Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare 
• Edmund– King Lear by William Shakespeare 
• Helena– A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare 
• Hotspur (Henry Percy) – Henry IV, Part 1Contemporary Monologues
• Dennis– This Is Our Youth by Kenneth Lonergan 
• Rosie– Things I Know To Be True by Andrew Bovell 
• Andrea– The Effect by Lucy Prebble 
• Jamie– The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens 

Perform your heart out and make sure to message Nicole Wellings if you have any questions in the lead-up to the day.

What to expect

You will receive an email invite from us with the date, time and location of your audition and you will be allocated a specific audition slot on the day.

Make sure to arrive at the time on your event ticket so we can register you for your audition.

There will be a couple of sessions before your audition where you will be introduced to the course and the University, and you’ll also be shown our fantastic facilities to get a real feel for the place. Check out our Creative Campus, Kingsway video if you’re feeling curious before your visit.

You will be asked to perform a prepared piece of music, and we may also ask you to demonstrate a few chords, some drum rudiments, or to sing some scales, depending on your instrument.

There will also be an opportunity for you to discuss your interest in performing, along with any previous experience as a performer you might have had.

How to prepare

Your audition for Music Performance will be with a member of the course team and should last no longer than 15 minutes.

The main focus of your audition will be a piece of music you choose yourself, and the piece should be no more than four minutes.

• Vocalists - bring a backing track to sing along with on your smartphone or portable CD drive. You also have the option of accompanying yourself on another instrument if you prefer.
• Instrumentalists - you can either play to a backing track (in which you should bring it in the same format as vocalists) or you can play unaccompanied. Please note that you are expected to bring all instruments and/or equipment that you require, such as guitar leads. A drum kit, piano, and guitar/bass amplifiers will be available as an exception; however, drummers, please remember your own sticks!

Top tips for choosing your performance piece

1. Pick something you love and that you’re comfortable performing. We want to see what inspires you about music!
2. Choose a piece that’s in a style you enjoy; we will be looking at your performance ability in the audition, and the best way for you to show this off will be to perform a style of music you enjoy.
3. Easier said than done, but don’t be nervous! Music and performance are unpredictable by nature, and we’ll still be able to gauge your ability even if you let the nerves creep in.
4. Go for straightforward and effective over complicated. We want you to shine, and in order for you to do this, we’d recommend going for a solid piece that you know inside and out.

Check out our course video to see what music is like at Chester before you get here, with some messages from our current students about the support and facilities on our creative campus.     

Perform your heart out and make sure to message the Course Leader, Dr Ruth Dockwray, if you have any questions in the lead-up to the day.

What to expect

You will receive an invitation with all the details you need for your audition day. When you arrive, our team will welcome you, help you register, and make sure you feel comfortable. The day is designed to be supportive and creative, giving you the chance to get a real sense of the course and the University.

Make sure to arrive at the time on your event ticket so we can register you for your audition!

Before the practical audition begins, there will be introductory sessions where you will learn more about the course, meet staff and students, and have the opportunity to see our facilities. This will help you get to know the environment and feel at home. Check out our Creative Campus, Kingsway video if you’re feeling curious before your visit.

After this, you will take part in a practical workshop.

How to prepare

Your audition workshop will last for approximately two hours. It will include a contemporary dance class and a creative choreographic session. You do not need to prepare a solo. We are interested in seeing your curiosity, your enjoyment of movement, and your willingness to explore new ideas.

Please wear comfortable dance clothing that allows you to move freely. The workshop will take place barefoot, so dance shoes are not required. Changing facilities will be available if you need them.

If you have any questions before your audition day, you can contact the Course Leader, Nicole Wellings, by email.

We look forward to meeting you and supporting you as you develop, refine, and flourish in your dance practice.