Key Stage 4

Any young person aged 9 to 19 living in the United Kingdom is welcome to enter.
You can apply through a school, youth theatre, drama club, or independently.

Once submitted, all monologues are reviewed by our judges and go through several selection rounds.

Standout entries are chosen for the Regional Shortlist, then reviewed in a virtual regional final, where one winner per region is selected - the majority of these will then be invited to the National Final.

Note: We aim to introduce Live Regional Finals in 2026!

Yes! Monologues that impress the judges but don’t quite make the Regional Shortlist may still be awarded a Regional Merit or be marked as Highly Commended.

The Live National Final will take place on Sunday 13th July 2025, with the Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 finals occupying a matinee slot and the Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form finals taking an early evening one.

We are delighted that the Live National Finals will be hosted An ATG Entertainment West End venue in London.

Tickets will be made available for family and friends to purchase as soon as the national finalists are announced. Those in the final will be given first refusal on tickets. If there are any tickets remaining then these will be made available to the public. 

We will look to select one monologue from each region, age group, and category where possible - meaning multiple finalists will represent each region across the competition's four categories.

We believe it’s vital that the competition represents the whole of the UK.
That’s why every region will have a chance to be represented in the Live Final.

Yes! We’d love to see your work across different categories.
You’re welcome to enter in one or all four – and there’s a discounted rate when you do.

You can enter as many monologues as you like, but as there is an entry fee for each, we recommend submitting the one you feel is strongest and has the best chance of being shortlisted.

This is one of the hardest questions to answer, as we don’t use a strict marking scheme or fixed criteria.

Essentially, we’re looking for speeches that truly connect – performances that feel honest, engaging, and emotionally present.

We want to see actors who understand their character, have a clear sense of who they’re speaking to and why, and who bring something truthful and unique to the piece.

It’s not about perfection – it’s about connection, clarity, and commitment.

There is a £5 entry fee per monologue.

Yes – we offer financial support through bursaries.
Please see the bursary information below for full details.

Including your school name helps us understand which schools are engaging with the competition and where the talent is coming from. It also allows us to consider your school for our School Prizes.

Even if you're entering independently, we encourage you to add your school name — but it’s optional, and you may leave it blank if you prefer.

We recommend choosing a solo monologue, but if a speech includes brief interruptions from other characters, that's okay – you can cut them out - just make surethat the speech flows still.

No professional setup is required – just a clear, well-lit video with good sound. A smartphone or tablet will do, as long as we can see and hear you clearly.

No – your performance should be filmed in one continuous take with no cuts or edits, to reflect a live performance.

You can, but you don't have to. We recommend that you keep it simple. Minimal or no costume and props is best – we want to focus on your acting, not the extras.

A Dropbox link can be found on each entry form. You can upload your video directly into the relevant folder for each category.

We don’t offer formal feedback for all entries at the moment, but this is something that we are looking at. Select entries may also receive judge comments. The Studio offers monthly feedback opportunities. 

Yes - all entries need to be received by Monday 16th June 2025.

There is a £5 admin fee to enter the competition. However, entry is free any young person receiving Free School Meals (FSM).

We offer travel bursaries for finalists from low-income households. We want every talented young person to have access — regardless of financial background.

Yes – all entries are reviewed by a trusted panel of professionals and we ask students to avoid explicit content or swearing, especially in the younger age groups.

Videos can be viewed by judges but not downloaded, and links are only available whilst the competition is underway. 

Only shortlisted or winning entries will be shared online, unless notified, and always with parental/guardian permission. Videos will only be shared on our website and social platforms. 

Help them rehearse, film their self-tape, or simply encourage them to give it a try. Confidence and preparation make a big difference!

Encourage them to choose a piece they connect with, help with filming, and make sure they understand the monologue’s context.

Yes! Families of finalists will be invited to attend the Live Final in at the Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End. 

Tickets will be made available for family and friends to purchase as soon as the national finalists are announced. Those in the final will be given first refusal on tickets. If there are any tickets remaining then these will be made available to the public. 

It’s a celebration of all the performers, and you’ll be able to watch your child perform live on stage.

You can encourage your students to enter individually, or support them as a group (e.g. as part of a class project or youth theatre programme). Multiple entries from a school or group are welcome. Check out our Schools & Groups page for more details.

Yes! We offer a Schools' Pass to make entry easier and cheaper for schools and youth theatres. 

Yes, especially if you’re using the School’s Pass – you’ll be provided with a single upload link for your group.

Yes - students can enter either as part of a Schools' Pass bulk upload or individually at home. If they enter independently then they will need to pay the entry fee themselves.

No. To make admin and uploads easier for busy teachers and youth leaders, the Schools' Pass includes a bulk upload where you can enter multiple videos at once and fill in one central entry form. 

Yes — as long as the performance meets the time limits and is suitable for the selected category, students can use existing material they’ve already prepared for school.

Yes — it doesn't matter what the monologue was prepared for, you can still enter it into the competition. Again, as long as the performance meets the time limits and is suitable for the selected category then you can enter it.

A smartphone camera in a quiet classroom is more than enough. Use natural lighting where possible and have students film in front of a neutral background (e.g., plain wall or curtain). No editing is needed.

Yes — teachers and youth leaders are welcome to attend the National Final if their students are selected. You will also be invited if your school is nominated for the School's Prize.

You’ll receive full details and support nearer the time.

Yes — alongside individual awards, we also offer School Prizes – both regionally and nationally – to recognise schools that submit the highest standard of monologues.

Your school could win trophies, student workshops, invites to the National Final, and other great rewards.

Note: Students entering independently will still be asked to name their school on the entry form, so their work can count toward a potential School Prize.

Yes — students enter their Schools name and details as part of the entry form and their entry will therefore still be counted towards the School's Prize.

Yes - all entries need to be received by Monday 16th June 2025.