Why Auditioning Students is the Least Effective Indicator of Future Success

For all actors, auditioning is a fact of life.  Good at it, bad at it, like it, or hate it, you’re going to do a lot of auditioning in your career.

But right at the beginning of your career, you audition to get into acting/drama school.  The trouble is, that I believe that auditioning is just about the least effective indicator of future success.

Auditions measure the person’s ability to audition.  Amazing how that works eh?

The type of audition demonstrates the particular type of ability.

Research into talent tells us that those students that can demonstrate the ability to audition well, are not necessarily those with the right attitude, aptitude or commitment to the craft of acting.

It DOES show you who obviously already has an level ability, and the rest is down to the personal preference of the panel on the day.

But that ability level is NO, ZERO indicator of future success. It is a dip test that by no means auditions the PERSON.  And interview questions reveal little other than how a nervous person answers a question or two.

In fact, the very action of getting into drama school on first attempt is TERRIBLE for your future. WHAT? I know you’re asking it!  YES! It’s terrible, because you will take that as a sign of praise/approval and you will consciously relax.  I know you won’t intend to, so fight hard not to do so!

I accept that it is probably the only feasible way for acting schools to do it. But take heart if you didn’t get into drama school this year, getting in next year will make you fight even harder!