TASC Theatre Performance exam-day guide
TASC Theatre Performance · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket or confirmation letter
Print or download the confirmation the provider sent when you registered. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is accepted, and check the exact arrival time and venue address printed on it.
Valid photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name used at registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a signature is required on the document; do not rely on a photocopy or a photo on your phone.
Prepared audition material
Bring your monologue or song as required by the performance task, fully memorized. Pack a clean copy of the text as a backup in case you are permitted to hold it, but plan to perform without it unless the provider states otherwise.
Printed sheet music in your key
If an accompanist is supplied, bring legible sheet music taped or bound so pages turn cleanly, with your starting note and tempo marked. Confirm with the provider whether you may bring your own accompanist or backing track, and in what file format.
Performance clothing and footwear
Choose clothing you can move in and that suits the character or piece, plus shoes you have rehearsed in. Bring a change of top in case of travel or nerves, and avoid anything that restricts breathing or makes noise when you move.
Small personal kit
Water, a snack, tissues, hair ties, and any makeup or grooming items you need. Keep it in one bag you can carry yourself; confirm with the provider whether bags are allowed in the holding area and whether they must be left in a designated space.
Warm-up plan written down
Write a 10-15 minute physical and vocal warm-up you have already used in rehearsal, and bring it on a card. A fixed routine reduces panic in an unfamiliar room and protects your voice before the performance.
Timing device
Bring a watch or use a phone timer to rehearse your piece to length during the final days. Confirm with the provider whether phones must be switched off or stored during the test, so plan how you will check time on the day.
Travel and backup plan
Map the route, check journey times at the hour you will actually travel, and identify a backup route. Aim to arrive early enough that a delay of 30-45 minutes would not make you late; confirm with the provider what happens if you arrive after your slot.
Emergency contacts and medication
Carry any prescribed medication and a contact number for someone who can reach you. If you have a health condition or access requirement, confirm with the provider in advance how to declare it and what adjustments are available.
Review the task instructions and scoring criteria
Re-read the provider's published description of the performance task and any assessment criteria so you know what is being judged. Confirm with the provider if any element, such as the time limit or number of pieces, is unclear.
Plan the day
Run a full dress rehearsal in front of at least one person and time it exactly as on the day, including walking in, stating your name and piece, and leaving. Note where you lost focus or breath and fix only those points; resist rewriting the piece now. Confirm your arrival time, venue, ID requirements and any accompanist arrangements with the provider, and print your confirmation.
Do a lighter rehearsal focused on the opening ten seconds and the final line, since these carry the strongest impression. Check your clothing and shoes in full costume, make sure the sheet music is printed and taped if needed, and pack the bag. Sleep normally rather than staying up to over-rehearse.
Stop heavy rehearsal. Do a short vocal and physical warm-up, walk through the piece once slowly, then leave it. Eat familiar food, avoid alcohol and late caffeine, hydrate, and set two alarms. Lay out clothes, ID, confirmation and kit by the door, and check the travel route once more.
Eat a normal breakfast you have eaten before a rehearsal. Warm up the voice gently and do a short physical loosening, then stop rather than tiring yourself. Leave with more margin than you think you need, arrive early, and use waiting time for quiet breathing and a silent run of the first lines, not for full-volume practice.
Follow instructions from staff, state your name and the title of your piece clearly, and take a moment to settle before starting. If you make a mistake, keep going rather than restarting unless the provider's rules allow it. Finish, thank the panel, and leave the space; do not ask for immediate feedback unless invited.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID in the name used at registration and present it when asked. If your ID has changed since registering, contact the provider before the test day; do not assume a different document will be accepted.
Arrive at the stated time and expect to wait. Confirm with the provider how early to arrive, what happens if you are late, and whether late arrival means your slot is forfeited.
Phones and other devices should be silenced and out of sight during the performance. Confirm with the provider where devices must be stored and whether any recording is permitted.
Perform only the material you prepared within the stated time limit. Confirm with the provider whether you will be stopped at the limit, whether an accompanist or backing track is provided, and what format is required.
Treat staff, accompanists and other candidates with courtesy, and keep quiet in holding areas so nearby performances are not disturbed.
Ask the provider in advance about breaks, access adjustments and any declared health needs. Do not assume water, warm-up space or a private waiting area will be available unless it has been confirmed.
Do not ask panel members to explain or justify a score on the day. If feedback is offered, accept it briefly; otherwise confirm with the provider how results and any appeals are handled.
If you are unwell or unable to attend, contact the provider as early as possible using the published contact route, and confirm what evidence, if any, is required for a rearrangement.