Break Down Barriers: Abolish Audition Fees

Join our campaign to abolish audition fees and hidden course costs for performing arts students. #AbolishAuditionFees

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Photo of the Equity Student Deputy Committee Team

96%

of students had to pay for headshots, supplies and other expenses required by their courses themselves

Two thirds

of working-class students put off by audition fees

71%

of students say the best way to tackle these barriers is to scrap audition fees

Join our campaign to #AbolishAuditionFees

Performing arts students are struggling to pay course costs, with two-thirds of working-class students put off from entering the industry. Join our campaign to break down barriers to the performing arts by scrapping audition fees for performing arts courses and hidden course costs. 

Students are struggling to afford costs

Students training to be performers and creative practitioners are struggling to afford to cover course costs. 94% have to audition for places on courses, 57% of them have to pay audition fees, with many paying hundreds and even thousands of pounds in total. Three quarters have to balance often intensive training schedules with work and 15% take on debt to make ends meet – pushing working-class and marginalised students out of the sector. 

We believe no one should have to pay to train and everyone should have the chance to pursue their talents no matter their background. The performing arts should be for all, reflecting the diversity of voices and experiences that make up society.  

Sign the petition calling on institutions with creative and performing arts courses to: 

1.      Scrap audition fees 

2.      End hidden course costs 

3.      Cover expenses for accessing auditions and open days 

Read more about our campaign and the results of our survey of performing arts students.

Sign the petition

Working class creatives are too often put off a career in our industry from the get-go because of the costs of training. The first step is to scrap audition fees, removing that first barrier to training.

Joshua Bendall, Performance Design Student, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama