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, London, Essex and the South East
Have an annual family household income of £33,000 or less OR £40,000 or less with mitigating circumstances (caregivers, care leavers, are over 18 and receiving Disability Living Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance or a Carers Allowance)
Be aged 18-30
Not currently hold a degree
Have a commitment to acting as a career goal
Intend to apply for a full time BA Hons Acting Degree for the academic year 2024.
Be a UK citizen or have lived in the UK long enough to be eligible for UK student finance.
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:
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September - Spotlight
Thursday 28th September - Old Diorama
Saturday 30th September - Spotlight
LEEDS:
Saturday 23rd September - Leeds Playhouse
LIVERPOOL:
Friday 22nd September - Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatre
MANCHESTER:
Tuesday 19th September - 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 the 15th SEPTEMBER 2023 at 5pm.
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 panelists who you’ll already have met during the course of the day. This individual audition should take around 10 minutes.
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:
LONDON
LEEDS
LIVERPOOL
MANCHESTER
Venue and date tbc
Recall auditions
What happens next?
Successful candidates from recall stage will form our 2023 Acting cohort.
You will be required to attend three consecutive intensive training days in mid to late November.
Specific dates & venues to be confirmed at recall stage.
Applications are now closed for 2023.
Open Door Applications will reopen in July 2024.