The audition for Contemporary Theatre and Performance includes a discussion and an audition workshop with other applicants directed by a member of our teaching staff. The discussion and audition/workshop will last for approximately 2 hours starting with a group discussion (which your parents or guests are welcome to attend) before moving on to the workshop.

What to prepare

For the Discussion

In preparation for the discussion, you should have considered the following and be prepared to contribute to a group discussion on:

• Your experience of contemporary theatre practice
• What skills you think a contemporary performer/devisor needs
• Why is it essential for theatre to keep re-inventing itself?

For the Audition/Workshop

Please prepare the following:

• 5 lines of learnt text (it can be anything you want- lyrics, a play text, a recipe . . .)
  
  
• Bring an object that is of value to you and a prepared physical performance of six actions that express your relationship to the object. Make sure you create six distinct actions
  
  
• Bring an object that is of no value to you and a prepared physical performance of six actions that express your relationship to the valueless object. Make sure you create six distinct actions

What we are looking for

The criteria by which we will be assessing you are as follows:

• Your preparations for the workshop which should be creative and original
  
  
• Your creative contribution during the workshop which should be decisive and intense
  
  
• Your ability to contribute to the group work
  
  
• Your physical and vocal abilities

Special requirements:

• Please bring a passport size photo with your name, date of birth and UCAS number on the back and hand it in at registration
  
  
• You will need to wear loose clothing that you can warm up and move in and a cover up for cool down

The Creative Writing interview includes a subject presentation by a Creative Writing tutor with other candidates, and an individual interview. You are required to bring a portfolio of work with you that includes three elements:

What to prepare

1. Write three paragraphs in the first person to catch the particular voice of three people:

• A child
  
  
• A homeless person
  
  
• An executive
Each of these people is looking into a fire: what do they see?

2. Write a personal statement saying why you wish to study Creative Writing at degree level. Tell us about your current reading interests, your writing experience, your ideas and ambitions. Look carefully at the prospectus and programme information and tell us why you are interested in this programme. (Maximum 250 words)
   
   
3. Provide us with a sample of an original piece of creative work of your choice. (Maximum 1000 words/3 poems)

Special requirements:

• Please bring a passport size photo with your name, date of birth and UCAS number on the back and hand it in at registration
  
  
• Make sure that your name, date of birth and UCAS application number, are on all your pieces of work.

The audition for Dance includes a subject presentation and a group workshop session with other Dance candidates. The audition session should last no longer than 1½ hours.

Audition (All Candidates)

The audition will include two elements:

• A practical class in contemporary style
  
  
• A short choreographic task

We accept candidates from a range of dance backgrounds, so your ability to assimilate new dance material, to respond to teaching, and to work creatively and intelligently are of primary importance.

Pre-audition tasks (Single Honours Dance applicants ONLY)

You are required to prepare two tasks as part of the audition process. These should be submitted on one sheet of typed A4 paper that includes :

• Your name, date of birth and UCAS application number at the top
  
  
• A 500 word analysis/evaluation of a recent dance performance that you have attended (please title this fully with the company/event name and title of event plus the date if possible)
  
  
• A YouTube web link where we can access a recording of you performing a one minute piece of original choreography, created without music. If you are not able to upload your recording to YouTube, you may submit a DVD recording (labelled appropriately and attached to your written task)

Special requirements:

• Please bring a passport size photo with your name, date of birth and UCAS number on the back and hand it in at registration
  
  
• Pre-audition tasks as detailed above should be handed in when you register for your audition (Single Honours Dance applicants only)
  
  
• You will need to wear appropriate dance-wear, preferably leotard and footless tights or close-fitting T shirt and leggings, with sweat-shirt and pants for the warm-up. You will need to complete the audition barefoot (no shoes and socks)

All Candidates

The audition for Drama consists of a workshop audition class with other Drama applicants and will be taken by at least one member of the full-time teaching team. The workshop audition class will last approximately 1½ hours and you will only be required to perform in a group context.

What to prepare

Learn the audition text (below). You will not be required to perform this piece solo, but in a group context.

The workshop audition class provides an opportunity for us to meet each other in a working environment. The session is designed to help you demonstrate your commitment and imaginative understanding of the multiple disciplines involved in the making of live theatre performance.

What we are looking for:

• Your preparation for the workshop audition class (learnt text)
  
  
• Your ability to cooperate, contribute and work effectively with others in a group
  
  
• Your ability to respond imaginatively and intelligently to given stimuli
  
  
• Physical and vocal competencies
  
  
• Improvisational skills
  
  
• Script and dialogue
  
  
• Devising and compositional skills

Special Requirements

• Please bring a passport size photo with your name, date of birth and UCAS number on the back and hand it in at registration
  
  
• You will need to wear appropriate clothing to take part in the audition class, preferably a long-sleeve T-shirt and jogging pants.

All Candidates

Presentation (30 mins)

Members of the subject team will discuss the programmes of study, the facilities, and other aspects of studying a music subject at MMU Cheshire. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about your chosen music route. Your parents/guests are welcome to attend the presentation with you.

Popular Music

Candidates attending interview/audition will be required to:

1. Bring their instruments (including jack leads if required), in order to participate in a 30-minute workshop. Amps, pianos, drum kits and microphones will be provided.
2. Take a short written paper on relevant aspects of music theory. Candidates who have taken and passed grade 5 music theory (any board) may omit this part of the interview process (copy of certificate to be handed in at registration desk).

Candidates wishing to strengthen their application should bring one or more of the following:

• Essay (an example of academic writing, preferably on any aspect of music).
• Original composition (notated and/or recorded).
• Video of performance (this may be a DVD or a YouTube link).

These can be handed in at the registration desk.  Please clearly mark your work with your full name, date of birth and UCAS Personal ID number.

Music

Candidates attending interview/audition will be required to:

1. Perform a piece of music (approximately 5 minutes in duration) that best demonstrates their technical and musical ability. In the case of a longer piece of music being chosen, candidates may be requested to play only a section. Candidates should bring their instruments (including jack leads if required). Amps, pianos, drum kits and microphones will be provided. N.B. We consider voice to be an instrument.  An accompanist is available.  Please bring sheet music with you if you wish to be accompanied. If you are bringing a backing track, please make sure this is compatible with normal CD use.
2. Take a short written paper on relevant aspects of music theory. Candidates who have taken and passed grade 5 music theory (any board) may omit this part of the interview process (copy of certificate to be handed in at registration desk).

Candidates wishing to strengthen their application should bring one or more of the following:

• Essay (an example of academic writing, preferably on any aspect of music).
• Original composition (notated and/or recorded).
• Video of performance (this may be a DVD or a YouTube link).

These can be handed in at the registration desk.  Please clearly mark your work with your full name, date of birth and UCAS Personal ID number.

Creative Music Production

Candidates attending interview/audition will be required to:

1. Take part in a hardware/software studio workshop task. All materials for this task will be provided.
2. Take a short written paper on relevant aspects of music theory. Candidates who have taken and passed grade 5 music theory (any board) may omit this part of the interview process (copy of certificate to be handed in at registration desk). 
3. Provide an MP3 audio-file, or a web link to audio or video content, which demonstrates their ability to compose or arrange using electronic equipment (computer, hardware recorder etc).  Candidates should support this submission with a short written statement describing how the work was created. These materials should be submitted via e-mail to the Admissions Office at adm.cheshire@mmu.ac.uk at least 24 hours prior to the interview day. Please title your e-mail with your full name, UCAS Personal ID number, date of audition and CMP audition material, eg John Smith 1000000001 07/12/11 CMP audition material.

Tour

You will have the opportunity to tour the extensive music facilities in the Contemporary Arts Building.

Special requirements:

• Please bring a passport size photo with your name, date of birth and UCAS number on the back and hand it in at registration