Musical Theatre Colleges Audition Guide
A guide covering the major UK musical theatre training programmes — Mountview, ArtsEd, Italia Conti, and others — with their shared and specific requirements.
Official requirements
Musical theatre auditions typically require: two contrasting songs (one ballad, one uptempo, from the musical theatre repertoire), one monologue or speech (contemporary, 1-2 minutes), and a movement/dance call. Some schools require a classical speech as well. You will usually need to bring sheet music in the correct key — backing tracks are generally not accepted. An accompanist is provided.
What panels look for
MT panels are looking for the "triple threat" but understand that most applicants will be stronger in one discipline. What they really want to see is performance quality — can you tell a story through song? Do you connect emotionally with the lyric? In dance calls, they are watching for how you pick up choreography and your energy/commitment, not perfect technique. Personality and stage presence matter enormously.