Likely Questions at
Your Interview

If you take time to think about these questions, what lies behind them becomes much clearer. I will give some pointers as to what the panel might really be asking.

Be honest, but don’t flood the place with negativity. Critical, objective awareness is the thing here. Think about what went well and the things that you might have hit a bit better. The keyword here is ‘think’. As with any question, give yourself time to consider what is being asked, and then work out what you want to say.

‘What have you been doing with yourself lately?’

‘How do you think it went? [They mean your pieces.] How do you feel?’

These are popular and universal questions, but can be very tricky. It’s really worth having a think about what you have been up to. This can include any jobs, travel, marathon-running, etc., as well as things theatrical. In your reply, be fluent and interesting but not rehearsed. Even if you think what you’ve been doing is really mundane, celebrate that.

‘Who is your favourite actor/actress?’

They might mean stage not screen, so check with them. This question is harder to answer if it means stage acting, because it is not always easy to have seen the same person in different stage productions. But maybe it could be a performance that you have admired.

‘Why do you want to come here?’

You should know why, and if you don’t it could be seen as something of an insult that you know nothing about that particular institution and what it stands for. It’s vital to address this point. If you’ve done your groundwork, managed to talk to current students at that particular place and seen some performances there, then you’ll have no trouble with this line of questioning.

‘What can we offer you?’

The answer to this is linked to the question above. It’s about their school and what they do, as much as it is about you and your needs. Why are they important to your training and to your career as an actor?

Think about your needs and why you want to train. Also, what you want to learn and improve on. The type of environment you want to be in for the next three years. The kind of people you want to be with and work with, and the specific inspiration and challenges you’re after.

Questions may be based on your CV, application form and personal statement. So keep a copy and read it just before you go.

‘What can you offer us?’

Everyone hates this one, but be calm and be honest. If you think it through, it will come. What are they looking for, do you think, in a candidate? This question is about you, but if you could make it about you and them, that would be even better.

‘Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?’

This question could be asking many things, but here are some possibilities. How do you see your career developing? While we all want to be successful, it’s true that few of us would turn our noses up at some additional degree of fame and fortune. But realistically, the panel is also asking about your drive and ambition. Perhaps even the kind of work you’d like to be doing and with whom. For example, quality work that matters, on a regular basis, with inspiring people? Or perhaps just ‘making a living’?

‘What plays have you seen recently?’

Can you talk about them? It’s very common to freeze and clam up on this topic. Just refresh your memory. Make notes as you see stuff.

‘What is the function of the theatre?’

Gosh… er…

‘What’s the worst/best experience you’ve ever had?’

Be honest… A funny worst moment is always good for a laugh. Also, find out if they mean in life or on stage.

‘What will you do if you don’t get in?’

Think about determination, commitment and persistence.

‘Do you think actors are always searching for something inside themselves?’

‘What is the purpose of study and training?’

You are learning a craft. You are using your mind, creativity, emotions, intellect, voice and body. You will need to expand and strengthen these things. Study and training are the gateway to power and understanding that you could not otherwise possess.

‘Have you read our prospectus?’

‘Do you know anything about us? Have you done any research at all?’

‘Tell me what the play is about.’

You’d better have read it and understood it, otherwise you might come across as the kind of corner-cutting, non-meticulous type that the school doesn’t want.

‘If you were directing this speech, what would you say to the actor?’

‘Do you know what you are doing and why you have made certain choices?’

‘Why did you choose this piece – and this character?’

Yes, why did you?

‘How have you approached the character?’

Here they are looking for what kind of prep you have done, and what your thinking is on the character.

‘What character decisions have you made?’

‘What about the body language of the character?’

‘When you started the speech, did you have a reason?’

This is about what your character wants. What prompts them to start speaking?

‘Why did you choose these particular speeches?’

If you went through the right process to select your speeches, then you will know this automatically.

‘Describe yourself in four words.’

Don’t baulk. They want you to react. Be spontaneous or think about it – it’s your answer, but don’t be resistant.

‘What colour would you associate yourself with?’

See above.

‘What’s on at your local theatre? Who’s in it? Who is the director? Who is the designer?’

They probably won’t ask you this, but it will be impressive if you can drop in this sort of info, since it reveals both how interested you are in what’s going on and your commitment to watching other people’s work.

‘Is there any actor you’d like to be?’

‘What was the last part you did?’

‘Why do you want to go to drama school?’

Know why? Check your personal statement!

‘What do you want from training?’

‘Do you consider yourself crazy to want to be an actor?’

What are they asking?

‘What interests you about Shakespeare?’

‘Which Shakespearean character would you most like to play?’

‘If Hamlet were an MP today, who would he be?’

‘Do you think acting is important?’

Do you? Why? No clichés.

‘Where else have you applied?’

This is not a trick question: tell them.

‘How did you get on?’ [At the previous places]

Be honest but as positive as possible. If something at a previous audition was a nightmare, celebrate it and present it in a positive light: ‘It was a nightmare; I was such an idiot…’

‘Why do you want to be an actor?’

You should know this. Again, no clichés, please. Is it just to be on stage, to be famous?

‘Are you a disciplined worker?’

•	Listen and understand.
•	Be eloquent not garrulous. Think first.
•	Be alert not fidgety.
•	Be open not closed.
•	Be generous not mean.
•	Say what you mean.
•	Mean what you say.