The Student Room Group

How are LIPA with trans people?

I went to LIPA (Liverpool institute of performing arts) for my audition for the acting (musical theatre) course in January and I'm a little worried.

My audition went very well, but I was called my deadname throughout the day despite stressing my preferred name on my application, and the panel seemed more interested in knowing if I would be comfortable experimenting with my upper range.

For context, I have been voice training since I was about 12, and can now sing in a very comfortable tenor, so there was no reason for them to ask this and I don't believe they would have asked it of a cis man.

The acting teacher also affirmed, after I spoke very passionately about wishing to be in Jekyll and Hyde, that some roles would be barred to me because I am a transgender man.

All in all l'm a little worried - has anyone else got this experience? Is LIPA an uncomfortable place to be for a trans person? I came away feeling good, but I wish I'd stuck up for myself more - looking back, following how affirmed I felt at my Mountview audition just two weeks ago, I'm very worried. Can anyone help?

Reply 1

Original post by Grublover22
I went to LIPA (Liverpool institute of performing arts) for my audition for the acting (musical theatre) course in January and I'm a little worried.
My audition went very well, but I was called my deadname throughout the day despite stressing my preferred name on my application, and the panel seemed more interested in knowing if I would be comfortable experimenting with my upper range.
For context, I have been voice training since I was about 12, and can now sing in a very comfortable tenor, so there was no reason for them to ask this and I don't believe they would have asked it of a cis man.
The acting teacher also affirmed, after I spoke very passionately about wishing to be in Jekyll and Hyde, that some roles would be barred to me because I am a transgender man.
All in all l'm a little worried - has anyone else got this experience? Is LIPA an uncomfortable place to be for a trans person? I came away feeling good, but I wish I'd stuck up for myself more - looking back, following how affirmed I felt at my Mountview audition just two weeks ago, I'm very worried. Can anyone help?

I’m sorry that happened and surprised to be honest. LIPA are usually more on the ball snd celebrate diversity. .


Did you get offers in the end?
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

Original post by Georgiek9
I’m sorry that happened and surprised to be honest. LIPA are usually more in the ball.
Did you get offers in the end?


Thank you - it helps to know that this is out of the ordinary for LIPA :smile:
I haven’t heard back from them yet, but I auditioned in January so I’m not sure what’s going on? I’m hoping it’s a good sign

Reply 3

Original post by Grublover22
Thank you - it helps to know that this is out of the ordinary for LIPA :smile:
I haven’t heard back from them yet, but I auditioned in January so I’m not sure what’s going on? I’m hoping it’s a good sign

LIPA take ages! There are people who auditioned for MT course who are still waiting, no news is good news!

I applied for Foundation last year and they never got back to me st all! I didn’t want it in the end as I took a gap year.

Good luck.

Reply 4

Original post by Georgiek9
LIPA take ages! There are people who auditioned for MT course who are still waiting, no news is good news!
I applied for Foundation last year and they never got back to me st all! I didn’t want it in the end as I took a gap year.
Good luck.


Thank you so much for that, that’s a massive comfort :smile:
I’m sorry to hear that! They should have gotten back to you, that’s crap that they didn’t - good that you didn’t want it anyway though I suppose
Thank you for the good luck too! This has helped massively, thank you so much :smile:

Reply 5

Hey! Bit unrelated to your original post, but I also auditioned for LIPA in January and I feel like I met you on my audition day as I remember meeting somebody who was open about being trans with the recall group and was asked to experiment with their higher range. Was your audition on the 12th Jan by any chance & did you get a recall? If not then I am so sorry hahahaha, I just feel like I might’ve met you on that day!

Regardless of whether we did meet or not, have you heard from LIPA yet? I received an update on my UCAS today telling me LIPA haven’t responded to my application by today’s deadline & therefore I’ve been automatically rejected 😐 - was just wondering if you’ve heard anything as if we had similar audition dates, I wonder what’s going on!!
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 6

Original post by mtkayne
Hey! Bit unrelated to your original post, but I also auditioned for LIPA in January and I feel like I met you on my audition day as I remember meeting somebody who was open about being trans with the recall group and was asked to experiment with their higher range. Was your audition on the 12th Jan by any chance & did you get a recall? If not then I am so sorry hahahaha, I just feel like I might’ve met you on that day!
Regardless of whether we did meet or not, have you heard from LIPA yet? I received an update on my UCAS today telling me LIPA haven’t responded to my application by today’s deadline & therefore I’ve been automatically rejected 😐 - was just wondering if you’ve heard anything as if we had similar audition dates, I wonder what’s going on!!


Yeah that was me!! Hello again!!
I gave them a call and apparently there are some people who haven’t gotten responses and they’re chasing them up? That might be what’s going on with you too so I’d say give them a phone and explain about the UCAS thing

Reply 7

Original post by Grublover22
Yeah that was me!! Hello again!!
I gave them a call and apparently there are some people who haven’t gotten responses and they’re chasing them up? That might be what’s going on with you too so I’d say give them a phone and explain about the UCAS thing

Ahhh I thought it might be!! Hey! Hope you’re well!! ☺️

My parents gave them a call earlier today and admissions said something similar to what they said to you, so fingers crossed we both hear back soon !!

Reply 8

Hello!
I am so sorry that you were treated this way during your audition. Usually LIPA is on the ball and is really good with Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity.
If the experience made you feel uncomfortable, I'd strongly recommend getting in touch with the university and sharing your experience with them and letting them know how you felt. That way they can ensure it won't happen to anyone else.
It is unacceptable for you to have been made feel uncomfortable because of who you are and the university not accepting that.
Thank you for speaking up and I hope you're doing well.
From Josh
Official LJMU Rep

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