Audition Process (North America)
Once you have submitted your application form, if you're successful, you will be invited to an audition.
Auditioning in North America
Applications for 2025 entry to LAMDA are open for those based in North America.
We will be returning to North America to host in-person auditions for our BA (Hons) Professional Acting, MFA Professional Acting, MA / MFA Classical Acting and MA / MFA Musical Theatre courses.
If you live in North America, you are eligible for our in-person North American Audition Tour.
International applicants who wish to travel to and audition in North America should contact the Admissions Team for information on availability. The audition criteria and process in North America will be dependent on which course you have applied for.
US Audition Fees
The audition fee for our North America Audition tour is £88. There is not an additional recall fee.
Outside of the US?
Find out more about auditioning for each course on our Audition Process page.
Audition Requirements for North American Tour
What to prepare for the in-person audition
You’ll need to prepare two monologues.*
One must be from an Elizabethan or Jacobean text [no longer than three minutes in length].
One must be from a contemporary text [no longer than three minutes in length]
The monologues can be written for any gender. Your audition will last approximately 15 minutes, during which time the panel may redirect you and ask you to try your piece in a different way. For guidance on how to choose an audition monologue please click here.
We would recommend that applicants have additional monologues ready to perform. Applicants should also be prepared to be redirected.
Successful applicants will be required to attend an in person recall in Los Angeles or New York following their first round audition. All information will be provided to you about the recall if you are successful at the first audition. There is no additional charge for the recall audition.
*If you are eligible to apply for a Postgraduate degree and also wish to be considered for the MA/MFA Musical Theatre course in this audition, please also prepare an unaccompanied excerpt (16 bars) from a musical theatre song of your choice.
Audition Adjustments
At LAMDA, we are committed to ensuring that our audition process is inclusive and accessible to everyone. If you have a disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or any other additional needs that may require adjustments during your audition, we are here to support you.
To discuss how we can best accommodate your needs, please get in touch with Mya Chopra-McFarlane, our Disability Coordinator, at [email protected]
Apply Now:
What to prepare for the in-person audition
You’ll need to prepare two monologues.
-
One must be from an Elizabethan or Jacobean text [no longer than three minutes in length]
-
One must be from a contemporary text [no longer than three minutes in length]*
The monologues can be written for any gender. Your audition will last approximately 15 minutes, during which time the panel may redirect you and ask you to try your piece in a different way.
For guidance on how to choose an audition monologue please click here.
We would recommend that applicants have additional monologues ready to perform. Applicants should also be prepared to be redirected.
Successful applicants will be required to attend an in person recall in Los Angeles or New York following their first round audition. All information will be provided to you about the recall if you are successful at the first audition. There is no additional charge for the recall audition.
*If you also wish to wish to be considered for the MA/MFA Musical Theatre course in this audition please also prepare an unaccompanied excerpt (16 bars) from a musical theatre song of your choice.
Apply Now:
What to prepare for the in-person audition
You’ll need to prepare three monologues.
These can be from any three different plays, although at least two must be from an Elizabethan or Jacobean text.
They can be written for any gender and each one must last no longer than three minutes.*
Your monologues can be any pieces, but if you need some ideas, take a look here for a selection of classical monologues, as well as links to some more contemporary pieces.
*If you wish to be considered for the MA/MFA Musical Theatre course in this audition please also prepare an unaccompanied excerpt (16 bars) from a musical theatre song of your choice.
Applicants for the MA Classical Acting will not be required to attend a recall audition, unless they are applying for multiple courses.
If we are shortlisting or considering you for a place on the MA or MFA Classical Acting course after your first-round audition, you may be required to submit a further self-tape to us. The Admissions team will email you further details if this applies to you.
Audition Adjustments
At LAMDA, we are committed to ensuring that our audition process is inclusive and accessible to everyone. If you have a disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or any other additional needs that may require adjustments during your audition, we are here to support you.
To discuss how we can best accommodate your needs, please get in touch with Mya Chopra-McFarlane, our Disability Coordinator, at [email protected]
Apply Now:
If applying for Musical Theatre only:
Auditions will take place in-person in the US.
Applicants will need to prepare two contrasting musical theatre songs that they will perform unaccompanied.
And one of the following:
Two contemporary monologues OR a dance/movement piece that they have devised themselves or learnt choreography, that should last no more than 5 minutes.
If performing the dance piece applicants should bring their own portable music system and speaker.
If you are applying for Musical Theatre and Acting:
Auditions will take place in-person in the US.
In addition to the monologues required for their acting audition (i.e. MA / MFA Classical Acting, MFA Professional Acting), applicants should prepare one unaccompanied Musical Theatre song that they can perform to the audition panel.
Apply Now:
What to prepare for the in-person audition
You’ll need to prepare two monologues from contemporary texts, no longer than three minutes in length.
The monologues can be written for any gender. Your audition will last approximately 15 minutes, during which time the panel may redirect you and ask you to try your piece in a different way. For guidance on how to choose an audition monologue please click here.
We would recommend that applicants have additional monologues ready to perform. Applicants should also be prepared to be redirected.
Successful applicants will be required to attend an in person recall in Los Angeles or New York following their first round audition. All information will be provided to you about the recall if you are successful at the first audition. There is no additional charge for the recall audition.
If you are applying for Musical Theatre and Acting:
Auditions will take place in-person in the US.
In addition to the monologues required for their acting audition (i.e. MA / MFA Classical Acting, MFA Professional Acting), applicants should prepare one unaccompanied Musical Theatre song that they can perform to the audition panel.
Apply Now:
The North American Audition Tour 2025
Auditions will take place across a number of cities in the United States, followed by callbacks in New York and Los Angeles.
Early applications are advisable as cities and dates fill up quickly. Once a venue/city/date is fully booked, applications will be closed and we will refer you to the next available date, if possible.
Early applications are advisable as cities and dates fill up quickly. Please note if a venue becomes fully subscribed, we will close venues ahead of dates listed below.
Atlanta – 16 January 2025
Chicago – 30 January 2025
Los Angeles – 28 January 2025
New York – 16 February 2025
Phoenix – 10 February 2025
San Francisco – 5 February 2025
Seattle – 11 February 2025
Toronto – 13 January 2025
Listed in alphabetical order. Dates may be subject to change. Venues will be shared with successful applicants.
Atlanta – 21 January 2025
Chicago – 27, 28 & 29 January 2025
Chicago – 4, 5, 6 February 2025
Los Angeles – 18 & 19 January 2025
Los Angeles – 1 & 2 February 2025
New York – 10, 11, 12, 13 January 2025
New York – 24, 25 & 26 January 2025* *FULLY BOOKED*
New York – 20-23 February 2025
Phoenix – 13 February 2025
San Francisco – 8 & 9 February 2025
Seattle – 16 February 2025
Toronto – 16 January 2025
*The MA/MFA Classical Acting Course Leader will be present at these auditions. While Classical Acting applicants can audition at any North American venue if you wish to meet the course leader, we suggest you request one of these New York dates on your application.
Dates may be subject to change. Venues to be shared with successful applicants.
Acting Recall Auditions
Los Angeles – 1 & 2 March 2025
New York City – 4-7 March 2025
Musical Theatre Recall Auditions
New York City – 12 & 13 March 2025
Preparing your audition pieces:
- Even though you have been asked to prepare a number of monologues the panel may decide that they only want to some of them and focus any re-direction on those.
- Be prepared to receive some direction from the panel on one or more of your pieces.
- You won’t be able to use any props, so don’t choose a monologue which is reliant on any. Under no circumstances should you bring imitation weapons to use as props.
- For Musical Theatre auditions you won't be able to have an accompaniment or pianist.
- You can edit your monologue and it can be written for any gender, but make sure it makes sense as a stand-alone speech. For example, if you are combining two short pieces to lengthen your monologue, make sure that it flows well.
- The audition panel want to see your own creativity and interpretation of the text, don’t rely on performances from other actors or films of the monologue to show you how to do it.
About the application process:
- We’ll let you know the date of your audition two-three weeks prior to the audition date, but it may be shorter notice, so make sure you’re prepared when you submit your application.
-
If you’ve applied for more than one course, you’ll only have to do one audition process.
-
Auditions in North America will take place from January 2025. Recall dates and locations will be announced shortly. Our team will be in touch to provide specific details of the audition venue, if you're successful and invited to audition. We recommend applying early to secure a slot at your chosen venue.
-
Please arrive 15 minutes before your audition slot, as your audition will start on time. Your auditions should last approximately 15 minutes. Overall, the process should last no longer than 30 minutes.
-
Dress comfortably. Wear clothes that you can move easily in.
