{"id":2258,"date":"2023-09-04T14:27:42","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T14:27:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/?p=2258"},"modified":"2026-04-08T13:36:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T13:36:28","slug":"what-to-do-after-drama-school-rejection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/news-and-advice\/training\/what-to-do-after-drama-school-rejection\/","title":{"rendered":"I Didn’t Get Into Drama School: What Next?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not getting into drama school may feel like the end of the world, but it isn\u2019t. Here, we share tips for actors on what to do next if you didn\u2019t get a placement at drama school.<\/h2>\n

September signals the start of the term for drama schools across the country. This is an exciting period for actors as they take their first steps towards their dream careers. However, those who didn\u2019t get a place can be left feeling deflated. It\u2019s normal to be disappointed when things don\u2019t go to plan, but feel assured that not getting into drama school isn\u2019t the end of the world.<\/p>\n

Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan didn\u2019t train and was\u00a0rejected from every drama school she applied to<\/a>, and it took Eddie Marson two years to get\u00a0a place at Mountview<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Going to a top drama school and getting an agent in the final year showcase was once the status quo for becoming an actor, but times have changed. Felicity Jackson, founder of\u00a0Actors Pro Expo<\/a>, told Spotlight, \u201cSince Covid, there is so much more accessible training online, which is a great place for actors to start. Sometimes going to drama school with no experience is perhaps not the best time.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continues, \u201cDoing some short films and dipping your toes in the industry before going on to a full-time course is a good idea, as it gives you a feel of the industry and confirms whether you want to pursue it or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you’re looking for advice regarding your next steps, this guide will tell you what you need to know.<\/p>\n

Why Do Drama Schools Reject Actors?<\/h3>\n

Thousands of actors audition every year for a place at drama school, and here are the main reasons why they don\u2019t get in:<\/p>\n

Limited places
\n<\/strong>Not getting a place doesn’t mean you are not good enough, and often it can be a numbers game. For example, RADA offers just\u00a064 undergraduate places\u00a0with 26-27 as the maximum for the acting course, while auditions are around 4,500 applicants\u00a0each year.<\/p>\n

Maturity
\n<\/strong>Drama schools like actors with life experience who are comfortable with who they are. Don\u2019t be disappointed if the panel suggests trying again the following year – this is positive feedback. Hundreds of actors don\u2019t get into a drama school the first time, but they do in the years to follow. Don\u2019t give up!<\/p>\n

Material choice
\n<\/strong>Choosing the right monologue to perform at your drama school audition<\/a>\u00a0is key – picking a piece that goes through a range of emotions doesn’t score extra points. You have a few minutes to impress the panel who want to see you engage with the text and the character.<\/p>\n

Personal opinion
\n<\/strong>An audition panel is made up of a few people and does not represent the entire acting industry. Actor and acting coach\u00a0Giles Foreman told The Stage<\/a>,\u00a0\u201cI remember sitting on the panel at Drama Centre London some years ago, and I would disagree vehemently with some of the other panel members about who to choose.”\u00a0Rejection is part of a career in acting<\/a>; some people will love your work while others won\u2019t, and that\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n

What Should I Do Before the Next Round of Auditions?<\/h3>\n

First, you need to ask yourself if you still want to go to drama school. If the answer is yes, use the time before you re-apply wisely.<\/p>\n