Information on UK Drama Schools
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BOVTS)
Information Provided by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Location:
Bristol
Course Name:
BA (Hons) Professional Acting
Qualification Awarded By:
University of the West of England (UWE)
Eligible for Student Finance Y/N:
Yes
Admission Requirements:
Audition and Interview
How to Apply:
Via the BOVTS website
Audition Fee:
£25
Audition Fee Waiver Y/N and Criteria:
Yes, please contact admissions@oldvic.ac.uk
Audition Locations:
Zoom first round, in person in Bristol for recalls
Travel Bursary Offered Y/N:
No.
Audition Process:
We operate a two-stage process for admission. The first is a preliminary audition, which is normally held over Zoom (or other online platform), with a panel of two auditioners. If you are successful at the first stage, you will be required to attend a recall workshop, which is normally held in-person at the Theatre School. Preliminary auditions are normally held between November and April. Recalls are normally held between January and June. Each preliminary audition lasts for roughly fifteen minutes. You need to perform two contrasting monologues. Each piece should last no longer than two minutes; if you exceed this time limit you will be stopped. We aim to make these auditions as informal and friendly as possible. Your monologues should be from a play and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts. We no longer specify when these speeches should have been written. However, contrast is important for us to assess your acting potential and you should choose your pieces carefully. There are further tips to help you below.
To complete your preliminary audition, you will need access to a PC, laptop or tablet computer with a webcam and stable internet connection. You will also require a quiet space to perform freely without disruption or distraction. We aim to provide a choice of days and times to help ensure this is possible for you. Please note that we are unable to offer feedback on your audition.
Tips for your preliminary audition:
• Contrast is important for us to assess your acting potential. This could be achieved by performing a classical and a contemporary speech, a comedy and a drama piece, or by choosing two very different characters.
• Your speech can be translated from another language and may be for either male or female actors.
• Speeches should involve a character close to your own age and at least one speech should be performed in your own accent.
• It will help you if you’ve read the whole play and understand the context of the speech.
• Think about who your character is speaking to and where they are.
• Think about what your character is trying to achieve, and see if there’s a change of direction in the speech.
Access Information for:
-Applicants:
Places are offered solely on the basis of suitability and potential for a successful career in the profession.
If you wish to discuss your access needs before applying, please contact the Admissions Administrator for advice and further information, or email enquiries@oldvic.ac.uk.
We encourage you to disclose any relevant information when filling in your application forms so we can make appropriate arrangements for audition or interview.
-Students:
https://www.oldvic.ac.uk/about-us/policies/
Any financial support/bursaries in place for students:
Please see - https://www.oldvic.ac.uk/about-us/fees-and-financial-support/
Information on Student Support Services:
Guide to Student Support can be found here - https://www.oldvic.ac.uk/about-us/policies/
Notable Alumni:
Notable acting alumni include: Helen Baxendale, Samantha Bond, Stephanie Cole, Olivia Colman, Annette Crosbie, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, Naomie Harris, Jeremy Irons, Theo James, Alex Jennings, Christopher Biggins, Pearl Mackie, Faye Marsay, Cyril Nri, Tim Pigott-Smith, Pete Postlethwaite, Amanda Redman, Miranda Richardson, Dame Patricia Routledge, Adrian Scarborough, Malcolm Sinclair, Sir Patrick Stewart, Mark Strong, Sophie Thompson, Jane Lapotaire and Gene Wilder.
Our alumni are working throughout the Creative and Production side of the industry and include: current Artistic Director and Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC); Technical Director at the National Theatre; Award winning Set, Costume, Lighting and Sound Designers such as Christopher Shutt and Bob Crowley whose work has been seen in the West End, across the UK and internationally. Production Arts graduates go on to have careers in a wide range of jobs including in stage management, lighting, sound, automation and construction working with companies such as the RSC, The Globe, National Theatre, Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Royal Ballet and numerous other UK theatre venues and companies, and international theatre and production companies.
Many of our alumni have gone on to enjoy successful careers in screen in roles including: producers, production managers, locations managers, art department, assistant grip, costume maker, costume supervisor. Graduates have worked behind the scenes on feature Films, TV location filming and post production, Animation and a wide range of independent film production. Recent screen credits include: The End of the F***ing World, Kiss Me First, Crazyhead (Channel 4/Netflix); Unforgotten, Broadchurch (ITV); Rellick, Poldark, Being Human, Good Omens (in production) (BBC); Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs; Aardman Animations’ Shaun the Sheep, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!, and Early Man.
Application Deadline:
Friday 28th February 2023