RADA Preliminary

My preliminary audition for RADA was on the 19th January 2013, and it was my first ever audition for drama school. As I want to train as a classical actor and have had quite an obsession over RADA for the past year, I felt immense pressure on my shoulders.

Go in thinking that if you want it that bad, they'll see.

We met the lovely Sally Power, the Head of Admissions and then were split into groups, either staying at Gower St, or moving to the Chenies St building as I did. We waited in the canteen in our group of 6/7 and were given a random number. Thankfully, I was number two.

There was two people sitting on the panel and they were both very smiley and welcoming! I felt very at ease. All of this "Nazi RADA" is utter nonsense. They asked me general questions such as what I'm doing at the moment, why I like acting, what play I had seen recently and then to do my speeches. I performed Portia from Julius Caesar "You've ungently, Brutus" and Myra from Last Chance Romance by Sam Bobrick. They laughed at my modern which made me feel like I was on cloud nine.

As I had expressed an interest in Shakespeare and classical acting, they asked about a recent Shakespeare play I had seen. I spoke about seeing Mark Rylance in Twelfth Night and the inspiration he had given me.

Oooo! And they also asked if I approached comedy differently - to which I replied yes! My only advice when preparing to be asked questioned is expect nothing and everything. They may ask you only a few questions or hammer down on you. Pause, think for a moment and for gods sake tell the truth. If you don't know the answer to a question or your mind goes blank - tell them, and apologise before thinking of somewhere to steer the conversation. I remember confessing in this audition that I tend to blab when I'm excited, and they laughed.

Came out feeling refreshed, the happiest I could possibly be and 3 days later I got my recall letter.