The Concert Artistes' Association Speech Prize for Actors 2025

Purpose:

The purpose of the Speech Prize for Actors, in accordance with the general aims of the AESS, is “to encourage the communication of English words, with clarity, understanding and imagination”

Eligibility:

The competition is open to young actors aged 18 to 23 who are in full or part time training at a recognized institution.

Each institution may nominate up to THREE candidates but may at the discretion of the committee be allowed further candidates if they are of a very high standard.

Requirement:

Competitors are asked to prepare up to an eight minute themed programme from memory, to include at least one poem and a piece of prose from the vast wealth of literature written in English. This should be presented with imagination.

The entire programme must be delivered from memory.

The programme will be the same for both rounds.

The judges will be looking for a technically sound and expressive use of the speaking voice to give clarity and fluency of delivery combined with an imaginative use of material and an ability to take the audience on a dramatic journey.

Age Limit:

Actors should be within the above age-range on or before the date of the final.

Prizes:

First Prize –     £1,000

Second Prize – £600

Third Prize –   £400

Selected prize winners will be offered the opportunity to perform in the AESS’s Prize Winners Concert in the autumn of 2025 as part of The London Song Festival

Previous Prize Winners

The 2024 Programmes

The 2023 Programmes