How to enter Stagebound
Stagebound How To Enter
How To Enter

The practical guide to entering Stagebound.

From dropping your name on the list today, through to your audition video landing on a judge's screen — here's exactly what to do, in the order to do it.

Entries don't open until early 2027

Right now you can register your interest — that puts you first in line for the entry pack. The formal entry process below shows exactly what'll happen when entries officially open. Register your interest now →

The Entry Process

Five steps from interest to audition.

This is the full flow — what we'll ask for, what you'll receive in return, and what to have ready at each step.

1

Register your interest

The starting point — and the only thing you can actually do today. Drop your name on the list and you'll be the first to know when the entry pack drops.

What you'll need
  • Your name (or the parent/guardian's name for under-16s)
  • An email address — this is where everything will land
  • The performer's name, age, and the category you're leaning towards
What you'll get back
  • An instant confirmation email
  • Ongoing updates as we lock in venues, dates and details
  • First access to the entry pack when entries open
2

Get the entry pack

When entries open in early 2027 we'll email the full entry pack to everyone on the list. The pack contains everything you need to enter, including the audition options, category guides, and the official entry form.

What's in the pack
  • The full entry form — for solo and group acts
  • Video submission guidelines — duration, format, what to film
  • Live audition day booking system — venues, dates, time slots
  • Category-specific guidance for what judges are looking for
  • Parental consent form for performers under 16
  • Photography & video consent details
3

Complete the entry form

Fill in the official entry form, sort out consents, and submit your entry fee (full pricing announced when entries open — bursary places will be available).

What you'll provide
  • Performer details — name, age, category, group/solo
  • Parent/guardian details (always required, regardless of age)
  • Category and intended audition format (video or live)
  • Emergency contact details
  • Any access or safeguarding needs we should know about
  • Parental consent declaration (for performers under 16)
  • Photography & video consent — we capture and use audition/final footage for Stagebound media
4

Prepare your audition

This is where the work happens. Whether you're filming a video at home or booking a live audition slot in Wigan, you'll have time to prepare properly.

If you choose video audition
  • Film a single performance piece — phone footage is fine
  • Stick to the duration and format guidelines in the pack
  • Plain background, good light, clear sound — that's all we ask
  • Upload through the secure Stagebound submission portal
If you choose live audition
  • Book a slot through the entry pack — pick the venue and time that suits you
  • Bring your backing track on a USB or phone if you need one
  • Arrive 30 minutes early to settle in and warm up
  • Wear something you can perform comfortably in
5

Wait for your result

Every audition gets watched in full by a real judge. Every entry gets honest feedback. Everyone gets a Stagebound welcome pack — whether you progress or not.

What happens next
  • Your audition is reviewed by the Stagebound judging panel
  • You'll receive an email with your feedback and result
  • If you progress, you'll get full semi-final details and a venue call time
  • If you don't, you'll still get constructive feedback and an invite to apply again next year
Important — Under 18s

Parental consent — what's needed and when.

Stagebound is built for under-18s, so safeguarding sits at the heart of how the competition runs. Parental consent rules depend on age — here's how it works.

Under 16

Full parental consent required

A parent or guardian must complete the entry form and sign the consent declaration. The parent is the named contact for everything — communications, audition booking, feedback.

16–17

Self-entry allowed, parent details still needed

Performers aged 16 or 17 can complete the entry form themselves, but a parent or guardian's name and contact details are still required — for emergency contact and safeguarding purposes.

What the consent declaration covers: entry into the competition, attendance at auditions and rehearsals, performance at the semi-final and grand final, photography and video capture during all stages, and use of that footage in Stagebound's media and partner marketing. Parents can withdraw consent at any time before the audition date.
Audition Tips

How to give yourself the best shot.

None of this is gospel — but these are the things judges consistently say make the biggest difference between a forgettable audition and one that lands.

Pick material that shows YOU off

Don't pick a song just because it's popular. Pick one that suits your range, your style, your voice or movement. The judges want to see the best version of you, not a watered-down version of someone else.

Film in landscape, not portrait

If you're submitting a video audition, turn your phone sideways. Landscape orientation looks more professional, fits the panel's review screen properly, and avoids those black bars down the side.

Sound matters as much as picture

Bad audio sinks a great performance. Use the room's natural acoustics, get reasonably close to the camera, and avoid filming next to noisy fridges, dishwashers or open windows.

Smile. Breathe. Perform.

Nerves are normal. Judges aren't expecting perfection — they're looking for a performer who's enjoying it. A bit of personality and presence often beats a technically flawless but cold delivery.

Practise the START and END

Judges form first impressions in the first 10 seconds and remember how a performance ended. Polish your opening and closing harder than the middle — first impression, last impression, both matter.

Ask, if you're not sure

If you've got a question — about the form, the category, the timings, anything — drop us a line. We answer every email personally, usually within 48 hours.

Step One Starts Now

Drop your name on the list today.

Entries open in early 2027 — but registering your interest now puts you first in line for the entry pack, sneak previews, and any early-bird perks we announce along the way. It takes 60 seconds.

Register Your Interest → Got a question? See FAQs