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ACTING

Can I apply?
If you are serious about trying to have a career as an actor but are worried about the process and cost of applying to drama school then Open Door is for you.

We can give you the support you need to approach your audition with confidence, knowing that you have benefited from the advice and training of industry professionals. Successful candidates will also have their audition fees paid at our partner UK drama schools.

In order to apply for Open Door, you will need to:

  • Be based in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Warrington, West Yorkshire, the Borough of Halton, Blackburn with Darwen, & South Lancashire inc Blackpool, Preston & Burnley, London, Essex and the South East

  • Aged 18+ from the 1st October 2024

  • Have an annual family household income of £43,000 or less

  • Not currently hold a degree in the UK

  • Have full access to 3 years of Student Finance in the UK

  • Intend to apply for a full time BA Hons Acting degree for the academic year 2025

We will need to check the financial records of the selected participants, so please do not apply if you do not meet all the criteria above. This is a project designed for people who could not otherwise afford to audition for drama school.


When are the first round auditions?

LONDON:

Monday 16th September @ Old Diorama

Tuesday 1st October @ The Royal Court Theatre

Wednesday 2nd October @ The Royal Court Theatre

LEEDS:

Thursday 26th September @ Leeds Playhouse

LIVERPOOL:

Friday 27th September @ Liverpool Everyman

MANCHESTER:

Saturday 28th September @ The Royal Exchange Theatre

Auditions will be offered on a first come first served basis and we may not be able to accommodate everyone that applies.

*If you are unable to get to the audition due to financial reasons, we may be able to help with travel expenses, so please let us know. 

Ie. If you live in Warrington and can’t afford to get to Manchester please do let us know*

Applications Close on Monday 23rd September 2024 at 12pm


What can I expect on the day?

For first-round auditions you will be invited to come along for a morning or afternoon session at one of the above venues.

The day will begin with an informal warm-up workshop with one of our tutors to hopefully get you nice and relaxed so that you can perform your best. Remember, we’re here to help to succeed and so we’ll do all we can to make this an enjoyable experience for you.

You’ll then get the chance to perform a monologue you would have prepared in front of two panellists who you’ll already have met during the course of the day. This individual audition should take around 10 minutes.

Learn more about the audition and what to prepare here


We will then recall a number of applicants.

If recalled, you will be asked to perform your monologue again, possibly with some suggestions from your first round audition. This will take place in front of a panel of 3 people consisting of Open Door staff and Open Door tutors. This individual audition should take around 20 minutes.

Recalls will take place in October in:

MANCHESTER

Thursday 10th October @ The Royal Exchange Theatre

Friday 11th October @ The Royal Exchange Theatre

LONDON:

Tuesday 15th October @ The Royal Court Theatre

Wednesday 16th October @ The Royal Court Theatre

Thursday 17th October @ The Royal Court Theatre

Recall auditions


What happens next?

Successful candidates from recall stage will form our 2025 Acting cohort.

You will be required to attend three consecutive intensive training days in early November.

Workshops usually run fortnightly, on Saturdays from 10am until 5pm

Specific dates & venues to be confirmed at recall stage.