For September 2023 entry, we are currently planning for in-person auditions to take place in Glasgow and in London on our BA Modern Ballet programme, as well as continuing to offer auditions in an online format for those who are not able to travel to an in-person audition. We have many years of experience of conducting online auditions and have a well-established format and process in place, so no applicant will be disadvantaged by auditioning in this manner. We will continue to respond to ongoing governmental guidance as to how we can hold in-person auditions in a way that is safe for our applicants as well as staff, and these will be subject to change dependent on alterations in governmental advice.
There are two stages to audition – preliminary and recall. You can audition in-person or online for both stages.
In-Person Auditions
If you decide to audition in-person, you will be invited to choose an audition location chosen on your UCAS Conservatoires profile – we will be holding auditions in Glasgow and in London. In-person preliminary auditions consist of a classical ballet class which will include barre work, centre and allegro. Female candidates will be asked to show some pointe work at the end of the class. The class will last approximately 90 minutes, will be taught by one of the RCS ballet staff and accompanied by a musician. You will be observed in the class by a panel made up of staff from the programme team. There will be short information session either at the start/end of the audition. The in-person recall auditions will be held in Glasgow in March 2023.
Should you be recalled, the ‘final’ audition will be scheduled for March 2023 and is more in-depth. Applicants invited to the final audition will participate in:
– A classical ballet class (barre, centre and allegro) including pointe work for female applicants and lasting approximately 90 minutes.
– A contemporary session which will last approximately 30-45 minutes. This will include some floor work and travelling sequences. No previous experience/training of contemporary dance is required for this session.
– A physiotherapy screening. This session will be carried out individually with one of our qualified physiotherapists and will take around 15 minutes
– An interview with programme staff. You do not need to prepare anything for this interview, which will last between 10-15 minutes
– An Information session with the Head of Modern Ballet, members of the programme team and colleagues from registry. This will give you an overview of our programme, approach to teaching and learning, our facilities, funding, accommodation and student support. It lasts about 1 hour. A parent/carer is welcome to attend and there will be an opportunity to ask any questions following this session.
Please note that the recall audition may take place over two consecutive days, requiring an overnight stay.
Online Auditions
If you decide to audition online, the audition videos and photographs for your online submission do not need to be professionally filmed/taken – your phone or a similar device is suitable. Online applicants will be asked to make a profile to support their application on Acceptd, and then use this to provide footage/photographs (as appropriate) of the following:
1. BARRE WORK
- Plies – on one side only
- Battements Tendus – shown on both sides
- Battements Fondus – shown on both sidesGrands Battements – shown on both sides
2. CENTRE PRACTICE AND ALLEGRO
- Adage – showing both sides
- Pirouette enchainement – can be taken from 5th, 4th and/or 2nd position, shown both en dehors and en dedans. Pirouettes should be performed on both the right and the left side
- Petit Allegro/Warm-up jump – sautes, echappes sautes and changements
- Allegro enchainement
- One grand allegro enchainement
3. STRETCHING (no music required)
Applicants should take care to work within their own range of movement and not force or bounce in the following stretches:
- Spine roll down – facing the back with feet together and arms by sides, slowly roll down through the spine (keeping legs straight) and recover
- Achilles stretch – facing the side with feet together, bend knees with heels remaining on the floor and recover
- Hamstring stretch – facing the side, sitting on the floor with legs fully stretched forward in parallel, reach up and then forward towards toes, keeping backs of knees on the floor
- Splits on right leg – facing right corner
- Box splits – facing front
- Splits on left leg – facing left corner
4. FEMALE APPLICANTS ONLY
In addition to the above, female applicants should show a short example of pointe work, in the centre. Please include:
- Echappes and releves
- Simple pirouette enchainement – shown on both sides
5. MALE APPLICANTS ONLY
In addition to the above, male applicants should show a short example of virtuosity work. Please include:
- Tours en l’air – to both sides
6. ALL APPLICANTS – PHOTOGRAPHS
- Demi-plie en face, arms in bras bas or on waist
- A la seconde en l’air, arms in 2nd position
- Arabesque en l’air, facing decote (side)
- Female applicants only — 2nd position en pointe, arms in 5th position
Should you be recalled after your Acceptd submission, you will be asked to submit additional filmed material (the details of which will be shared in direct correspondence with you) and also attend an online live interview with members of the BA Modern Ballet staff team.
