Auditions and Interviews

Mountview is committed to offering training to people from a wide variety of backgrounds. To reflect this our admissions policy is focused on performance at audition or interview rather than on academic qualifications.

The process is designed to explore your current and potential abilities, and your suitability for a career in the profession.

For international candidates and those with exceptional circumstances, we offer the option of submitting an online audition. Digital submissions require no additional equipment other than yourself and a device to record on – this can be a mobile phone. A large space to audition in is not essential, and if you only have access to a small space you will not be penalized.

Auditions and interviews for our CertHE and Undergraduate courses are open to students who are 18 (or who will be turning 18 during the first term of their course) or 21 or over if you are applying for our Postgraduate courses at the time of course entry.

Please be aware that the MA Performance courses may become full before the application deadline and in this event candidates may only be offered a reserve place or applications will close early. We recommend early application to avoid disappointment.

First-Round BA and CertHE Auditions

First- Round BA Performance auditions will take place in-person. We offer a range of audition dates and locations to make the process as accessible as possible. We thereby encourage you to choose an audition venue that is close to your home address. The full audition schedule will be announced in due course. For international candidates and those with exceptional circumstances, the option of an online first-round audition is available.

There is a £50 audition fee for BA Performance auditions.

First-round CertHE auditions will take place online. Candidates will need to submit a film of them performing their selected material as outlined below. Details of how to submit the application, along with tips and filming advice will be sent upon application.

Digital submissions require no additional equipment other than yourself and a device to record on – this can be a mobile phone. A large space to audition in is not essential, and if you only have access to a small space you will not be penalised.

There is a £35 audition fee for CertHE auditions..

BA and CertHE Recalls

Successful candidates for BA and CertHE Performance courses will be invited for an in-person recall.

There is no additional fee for recall auditions.

We work with a network of organisations across the UK who identify talented young performers for whom the cost of auditioning is prohibitive. We provide free auditions and, if successful, bursary support.

Please note we do not provide feedback on performance at auditions.

MA Performance Auditions

MA Performance auditions will take place in-person over a full day, with the first round taking place in the morning and successful candidates being invited to stay for their recall the same afternoon.

For international candidates and those with exceptional circumstances, the option of an online audition is available.

There is a £50 audition fee for in-person MA Performance auditions and a £40 audition fee for online MA Performance auditions.

Please note we do not provide feedback on performance at auditions.

If you live in Southwark, you will be eligible to apply for one free audition for one of our CertHE, BA or MA Performance courses. At the start of your application, please use the drop down box to select you are applying for a free application through: Southwark fee waiver

Later in the application, click the link to the Microsoft Form, where you can submit the relevant evidence to prove your address (e.g a bank statement, driver’s license, etc).

Once you have submitted your evidence, please save your main application as a draft and our Admissions team will review your documents; they will then notify you within a week to confirm your eligibility for a fee waiver.

BA Performance Auditions

Please note that the below dates are only for BA (Hons) Performance first-round auditions (Acting, Actor Musicianship and Musical Theatre). CertHE first-round auditions will take place online, and MA Performance auditions will take place on a separate schedule. For international candidates and those with exceptional circumstances, the option of an online first-round audition is available.

When completing your application, you will be given the opportunity to select your audition location and date. Your audition is fully confirmed once you have received email confirmation from Mountview’s admissions team.

Mountview will aim to accommodate applicant preferences however please note that audition slots are available on a first-come-first-served basis. We advise early application to avoid disappointment.

If you are selected for recall following your first-round BA Performance audition, details of recall auditions will be communicated directly.

BA Musical Theatre

30 November – Gower College, Swansea
10 December – Dance Attic, London
18 February – Bristol Institute of Performing Arts, Bristol
4 March – Cygnet Theatre, Exeter
5/6 March – Marron Theatre Arts, Newcastle
8 March – The Dance School of Scotland, Glasgow
9 March – Crescent Arts, Belfast
Digital Submission (Overseas candidates only)

Other locations/additional dates in existing locations may be added, but this is not guaranteed.

BA Acting and BA Actor Musicianship

30 Nov – Gower College, Swansea
9 December – The Albany, London
18 February – Bristol Institute of Performing Arts, Bristol
4 March – Cygnet Theatre, Exeter
5/6 March – Marron Theatre Arts, Newcastle
8 March – The Dance School of Scotland, Glasgow
9 March – Crescent Arts, Belfast
Digital Submission (Overseas candidates only)

Other locations/additional dates in existing locations may be added, but this is not guaranteed.

MA Performance Auditions
Saturday 18 January 2025 – Mountview, London

BA and CertHE Recalls
Successful candidates for BA and CertHE Performance courses will be invited for an in-person recall. These will take place on the following dates, and will be held at Mountview.

BA Acting Recall Auditions
Monday 7 April 2025 – first-round recalls
Tuesday 8 April 2025 – first-round recalls
Wednesday 9 April 2025 – final day recall

BA Musical Theatre Recall Auditions
Monday 14 April 2025 – first-round recalls
Tuesday 15 April 2025 – first-round recalls
Wednesday 16 April 2025 – final day recall

BA Actor Musicianship Recall Auditions
Thursday 24 April 2025 – first-round recalls
Friday 25 April 2025 – final day recall

CertHE Recall Auditions will take between April – August 2025.
Dates and locations will be confirmed in due course.

Candidates are asked to prepare:

one monologue in prose from a play written after 2000
one speech in verse (not prose) written prior to 1800
creative response

In addition to the criteria above, the classical speech may be from Shakespeare or from Elizabethan, Jacobean, Ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or international equivalent periods. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led. If you are selecting a play in translation please ensure that it is written in poetic verse rather than a modern adaptation that simplifies the form and content. You may choose a speech in any gender.

Please note that the speeches must:

Last no longer than two minutes each
Be from published plays and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts
Involve a character close to your own age
Be performed in your native accent

Creative Response

You will be given five articles. These vary from newspaper articles, classified adverts to images. You will be asked to choose one of these articles and submit a creative response to that article/advert or image. Your creative response can take any form you would like, but should be performance-based and have you in it. The response should be no longer than 1 ½ minutes.

Candidates are asked to prepare:

one monologue in prose from a play written after 2000
two contrasting songs
creative response

We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech that is character led. Please choose a character close to your own age and perform in your own accent. You may choose a speech in any gender.

Songs can either both be from musicals or one can be from a musical and one from a genre of your choice. Please note that songs must show two contrasting vocal approaches, with one demonstrating the more classical style associated with musical theatre.

The six volumes of The Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology provide excellent selections and can be downloaded for free, but you may choose work from any musical.

Please note that the speeches must:

Last no longer than two minutes each
Be from published plays and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts
Involve a character close to your own age
Be performed in your native accent

Please note that songs:

Must allow you to show two contrasting vocal approaches, one of which should be the more classical sounding style that can be associated with musical theatre singing.
Be performed in the key in which the music is written (the accompanist will not transpose into a different key)
Give you the opportunity to act through them
Not be from the classical repertoire (this includes opera)
Must last no longer than three minutes each

Creative Response

You will be given five articles. These vary from newspaper articles, classified adverts to images. You will be asked to choose one of these articles and submit a creative response to that article/advert or image. Your creative response can take any form you would like, but should be performance-based and have you in it. The response should be no longer than 1½ minutes.

Acting candidates are asked to prepare:

one monologue in prose from a play written after 2000
one speech in verse (not prose)
one physical storytelling piece (Only applicable for Digital Submissions. If you are auditioning in person you are not required to prepare a physical storytelling piece in advance. You may be asked to perform your monologues again as part of a redirection exercise set by the panellist.)

In addition to the criteria above, the classical speech may be from Shakespeare or from Elizabethan, Jacobean, Ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or international equivalent periods. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led. If you are selecting a play in translation please ensure that it is written in poetic verse rather than a modern adaptation that simplifies the form and content. You may choose a speech in any gender.

Speeches

You may choose a speech from any gender.

The speech in verse may be from Shakespeare or from Elizabethan, Jacobean, Ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or international equivalent periods. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led.

If you are selecting a play that is in translation, please ensure that it is written in poetic verse rather than modern adaptation that simplifies the form and content.

Please note that the speeches must:

Last no longer than two minutes each. The panel will stop watching if monologues exceed this time limit.
Be from published plays and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts
Involve a character close to your own age
Be performed in your own accent

Physical Storytelling

For digital submissions – Candidates will also be asked to prepare a piece of physical storytelling. You will be given a list of instructions are asked to film yourself responding to these directions. Please be aware that there is not a right or wrong way to perform this task. We are interested in how you use YOUR body to tell a story. The piece should be no more than 2 minutes long.

For in person auditions – You may be asked to perform your monologues again as part of a redirection exercise set by the panellist. There is nothing to prepare in advance.

Recalls

Following the first-round auditions, we invite a limited number of candidates back for our recall auditions. These include workshops and panel auditions. In person attendance at recalls is mandatory. Further details about recalls will be provided after your first-round audition.

Actor Musicianship candidates are asked to prepare:

one monologue in prose from a play written after 2000
one speech in verse (not prose)
one physical storytelling piece (Only applicable for Digital Submissions. If you are auditioning in person you are not required to prepare a physical storytelling piece in advance. You may be asked to perform your monologues again as part of a redirection exercise set by the panellist.)
two contrasting instrumental pieces on any instruments of your choice, lasting no longer than four minutes combined (you may perform both pieces on the same instrument, or two different instruments). The instrumental pieces will be submitted digitally by all candidates and you will not be required to bring your instrument to your in person audition.

Music

Please make sure your piece(s) reflect your technical capacity and current ability level.
You may make cuts if necessary to keep within the time restraints.
The pieces can be from any genre of your choosing and can be performed with or without accompaniment
Please note that for the purposes of this audition, the voice is not considered an instrument

Speeches

You may choose a speech from any gender.

The speech in verse may be from Shakespeare or from Elizabethan, Jacobean, Ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or international equivalent periods. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led.

If you are selecting a play that is in translation, please ensure that it is written in poetic verse rather than modern adaptation that simplifies the form and content.

Please note that the speeches must:

Last no longer than two minutes each. The panel will stop watching if monologues exceed this time limit.
Be from published plays and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts
Involve a character close to your own age
Be performed in your own accent

Physical Storytelling

For digital submissions – Candidates will also be asked to prepare a piece of physical storytelling. You will be given a list of instructions are asked to film yourself responding to these directions. Please be aware that there is not a right or wrong way to perform this task. We are interested in how you use YOUR body to tell a story. The piece should be no more than 2 minutes long.

For in person auditions – You may be asked to perform your monologues again as part of a redirection exercise set by the panellist. There is nothing to prepare in advance.

Recalls

Following the first-round auditions, we invite a limited number of candidates back for our recall auditions. These include workshops and panel auditions. In person attendance at recalls is mandatory. Further details about recalls will be provided after your first-round audition.

Musical Theatre applicants are asked to prepare:

one monologue in prose from a play written after 2000
one speech in verse (not prose)
two contrasting songs
one dance routine (If you are auditioning in person you are not required to prepare a dance routine in advance. You will take part in a dance workshop on the day of your audition.)

We always see all three disciplines – singing, acting and dance – as we think this is imperative in order to see your potential as a musical theatre actor.

Speeches

The speech in verse may be from Shakespeare or from Elizabethan, Jacobean, Ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or international equivalent periods. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led. If you are selecting a play in translation please ensure that it is written in poetic verse rather than a modern adaptation that simplifies the form and content. Please choose a character close to your own age and perform in your own accent. You may choose any gender for your selection.

Please note that the speeches must:

Be a contemporary monologue from a play written after 2000, AND a classical speech in verse from a play written before 1800.
Last no longer than two minutes each – The panel may stop you if monologues exceed this time limit.
Be from a published play and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films, or television scripts.
Involve a character close to your own age.
Be performed in your own accent.

Songs

Songs can either both be from musicals or one can be from a musical and one from a genre of your choice. Please note that songs must show two contrasting vocal approaches, with one demonstrating the more classical style associated with musical theatre, and must last no longer than three minutes each.

The six volumes of The Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology provide excellent selections and can be downloaded for free, but you may choose work from any musical.

Dance

For digital submissions – You will need to submit a self-tape performing a short dance routine and technical exercise. Instruction and choreography will be sent on application. The required routine will take into consideration that you may have limited space to perform at home.

For in person auditions – You will participate in a workshop in which you will learn and perform a short routine.

Recalls

Following the first-round auditions, we invite a limited number of candidates back for our recall auditions. These include workshops and panel auditions. In person attendance at recalls is mandatory. Further details about recalls will be provided after your first-round audition.

You will take part in an audition and interview with the course and/or module leaders at which you will present pre-prepared piano pieces, and discuss your interests, influences and previous experience. More information will be provided once your application has been received.

This will take place in-person at Mountview. For international candidates and those with exceptional circumstances, the option of an online interview is available.

MA Acting candidates are asked to prepare:

one monologue in prose from a play written after 2000
one speech in verse (not prose)
one physical storytelling piece (Please note that this is only required if you are auditioning digitally. If you are auditioning in person you will take part in a physical improvisation session on the day of your audition and are not required to prepare a physical storytelling piece in advance.)

For the verse piece, you may select from writers including Shakespeare and his contemporaries or choose from Elizabethan, Jacobean, ancient Greek, Roman, Restoration or any international or contemporary plays written in a poetic form. Please note the speech must be from a published play, intended for performance. We are interested in seeing you perform a dramatic speech with complex language that is character led.

If you are selecting a play that is in translation please ensure that the language is written in verse and remains poetic rather than choosing a modern adaptation that may simplify the form and content. You may choose any gender for your selection.

Please note that the speeches must:

Last no longer than two minutes each. The panel will stop watching if monologues exceed this time limit
Be from published plays and should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts
Involve a character close to your own age
Be performed in your own accent

Physical Storytelling

For digital submissions – Candidates will also be asked to prepare a piece of physical storytelling. You will be given a list of instructions are asked to film yourself responding to these directions. Please be aware that there is not a right or wrong way to perform this task. We are interested in how you use YOUR body to tell a story. The piece should be no more than 2 minutes long.

For in person auditions – You will participate in a physical improvisation session at your audition. There is nothing to prepare in advance.

Recalls

We invite a limited number of candidates back for recall auditions. For those auditioning in person, these will take place in the afternoon. In person recalls include a storytelling workshop and an interview.

For those auditioning digitally, if you are recalled you will be asked to attend a Zoom recall with the Head of MA Performance for an interview and you may be asked to perform your speeches again.

MA Musical Theatre candidates are asked to prepare;

one monologue in prose from a play written after 2000
one speech in verse (not prose)
two contrasting songs – both songs from a musical OR two contrasting songs, one from a musical and one from a genre of your own choice. Please choose songs that give you the opportunity to act through them

Please note that songs:

Must demonstrate two contrasting vocal approaches: a lyrical approach (associated with the term ‘legit’ in musical theatre singing) and a contemporary one. At least one song must be from a musical and one from either a musical or a genre of your own choice.
Last no longer than three minutes each. The panel will stop watching if songs exceed this time limit.
Be performed in the key in which the music is written (the accompanist will not transpose into a different key should you be recalled)
Give you the opportunity to act through them
The six volumes of The Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology (6 for each voice type: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone and Bass) represent an excellent source of material. Songs can be selected from those volumes or chosen freely from the musical theatre repertoire, provided that the contrast in vocal approaches is displayed.

Recalls

We invite a limited number of candidates back for recall auditions. For those auditioning in person, these will take place in the afternoon. In person recalls include a dance workshop, an acting through song workshop and interviews.

For those auditioning digitally, if you are recalled you will be asked to submit a self-tape performing a short dance routine. Instruction and choreography will be sent to you by the Admissions Team. The required routine will take into consideration that you may have limited space to perform at home. You will also be required to attend a Zoom interview with the Head of MA Performance.

Once you have made your application, the Admissions team will contact you with an interview date and time and provide you with a course interview handbook. You may be asked to show a portfolio of examples of your work and discuss projects that you have worked on in the past that support your chosen course. Interviews are conducted for all of our Production Arts and select MA courses; please find below the relevant interview information for each course.

For international candidates and those with exceptional circumstances, the option of an online interview is available.

All Production Arts candidates will take part in an interview with senior course tutors, at which you will discuss your interests, influences and production arts experience. You will be required to submit examples of work. This will be either online or, if possible, at Mountview with the opportunity to meet staff and students and tour our building and theatres.

There is no application fee for Production Arts courses.

Submit a portfolio describing a specific example of your experience in your chosen pathway (Directing, Dramatic Writing, Producing). The portfolio should include a written or video description of the project (maximum of 1000 words or 3 minutes), including the project’s instigation and aims, the specifics of your role and any successes and challenges encountered. It should also offer a taste of the artistic/aesthetic experience of the project, which might include images and or video of the project itself, or creative depictions of the piece. For candidates for the Dramatic Writing pathway, the portfolio should also include a ten-page example of a recently written original script. This could be an extract of the project in your portfolio, or a piece written for this application.

Following submission and review of the portfolio, you may be invited for an interview with a senior member of Mountview’s postgraduate teaching team. The interview will last for approximately half an hour. In your interview, you will be asked about your experience to date, your future aspirations and how the course will benefit your practice and development. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the course and Mountview more generally. You may be asked for a second interview, the purpose of which is to get to know you and your work more fully and to provide you with a deeper insight into the course.

There is a £20 application fee for all MA/MFA Creative Practice courses.

You will take part in an interview with the course leader, in which you will discuss your interests, influences and previous experiences. You will also be required to submit a portfolio of work to support your chosen course.”

There is no application fee for the MA Theatre for Community and Education course.

You will be invited for an audition where you will be asked to perform two pieces that you have prepared; one classical and one musical theatre piece. You will then be asked to sight-read a piece of music and coach a singer. The audition will conclude with a short interview with the course leader, where you will have the opportunity to discuss previous experiences and any questions you may have about the course.

There is a £20 application fee for the MA/MFA Music Direction course.