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2011 Spotlight Prize winners announced

The winner of this year's Spotlight Prize is Kurt Egyiawan, from Guildhall. Kirsty Oswald, from Rose Bruford, won the Highly Commended award. Kurt performed ‘Best Man Speech’ by Ben Lloyd-Hughes, adapted from a play by Glyn Maxwell. Kirsty performed a scene from ‘The Art of Success’ by Nick Dear. They beat stiff competition from a total of 22 talented acting students, all of whom had already been chosen as the very best actors graduating from the UK's most prestigious drama schools this year. Competing for the Spotlight Prize, the young performers had just three minutes each to impress...

posted on 20th July 2011 Read full article >>

Strictly Spotlight Summer Ball – entertainment now confirmed

The 7th annual Spotlight Summer Ball is upon us! Bringing together students from CDS and CDET accredited institutions; this is a chance to meet fellow students and celebrate the end of the year in style! Taking place at the Cafe de Paris on Sunday 29th May, the dress code this year will be ‘a touch of Strictly’, so don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops and dress to impress!    The evening will start with a glamorous red carpet entrance, where you’ll have the chance to talk outfits with TV presenter, Sarah Cawood,...

posted on 7th April 2011 Read full article >>

Applications are now open for the Alan Bates Bursary 2011

Spotlight are proud to announce sponsorship of the Alan Bates Bursary 2011. The bursary is awarded to a promising young actor at the outset of their career, who is graduating this year from an NCDT accredited acting course. A panel of high profile and well-respected actors decides the recipient of the prize. The Bursary is open to any actor under the age of thirty, graduating in 2011 from an NCDT accredited BA Acting course or an NCDT accredited 2 year diploma in Acting. The Bursary is worth £2000 and comprises of: ...

posted on 21st March 2011 Read full article >>

Spotlight Best Actor NSDF10 opens in The Wind in the Willows

Rupert Lazarus, winner of the Spotlight Best Actor prize at NSDF10 is playing Toad in Theatre 503’s production of The Wind in the Willows which opens tonight. The play by Kenneth Grahame and adapted by James Phillips will be performed by the NSDF10 Ensemble from Wednesday 1st December to Saturday 18th December 2010 at Theatre503 in Battersea and is suitable for children aged 6+ years.  To book tickets, here are the details: Box Office 020 7978 7040 or book on-line at: www.theatre503.com NSDF is celebrating its 56th year of producing, programming and supporting the...

posted on 1st December 2010 Read full article >>

Alan Bates Bursary winner announced!

We are pleased to announce this year’s winner of The Alan Bates Bursary is Spotlight member Ivanno Jeremiah (RADA). Runners up to the award were fellow Spotlight members Tom Secretan (LAMDA) and Nick Blakeley (Bristol Old Vic). The bursary presentation will take place at the Actors Centre on Thursday 10th June at 3:30pm. The award will be presented by Zoe Wanamaker, currently starring in the acclaimed West End production of ALL MY SONS. The recent RADA graduate was selected by judges Richard E Grant and Lesley Sharp, from over 200 entrants, to...

posted on 4th June 2010 Read full article >>

Spotlight Summer Ball 2010 – photos now live!

This year’s sell-out Summer Ball was a huge success! Nearly 1000 drama and dance students gathered at the Café de Paris in London on Sunday to celebrate the end of another year of training and let their hair down alongside their future fellow cast members.     The Hollywood themed event featured performances from Bloomfield Avenue from the West End show ‘Jersey Boys’, Rae the aerialist from ‘Love Never Dies’, Kieran Jae from ‘All The Fun Of The Fair’, DJ Hatsey from Central School of Speech and Drama, the singing string quartet Stringz, and very special guest...

posted on 3rd June 2010 Read full article >>

Interview with Lauren O’Neil – 2009 Spotlight Prize Winner

In 2009 Lauren O’Neil graduated from Guildhall School of Music and Drama and won the Spotlight prize for best actress. This year she opened in her first professional stage role in ‘Women Beware Women’ at the National Theatre and will also be appearing on our TV screens in ‘Lewis’ on Sunday.  Will Davies, Spotlight Casting & Agent Liaison, spoke with her about her origins as an actress, her training at Guildhall and her industry experiences since winning the Spotlight prize. · Obvious question but did you always know you wanted to be an actress? Not at all, when...

posted on 20th May 2010 Read full article >>

Spotlight Summer Ball prizes and entertainment confirmed!

We can now confirm that You Tube sensation Miranda Sings will be the star guest at this year’s Spotlight Summer Ball 2010. Also performing will be Bloomfield Avenue (singers from the West End show ‘Jersey Boys’), Rae (the aerialist from ‘Love Never Dies’), Kieran Jae from ‘All The Fun OF The Fair’, DJ Hatsey from Central School of Speech and Drama and the singing string quartet Stringz! So far the prizes that have been confirmed are: · One year’s membership at The London Actor’s Centre · Full voice reel package with...

posted on 7th May 2010 Read full article >>

Spotlight Prize winner Lauren O’Neil opening at National Theatre

Last year’s Spotlight Showcase best actress winner Lauren O’Neil is appearing in ‘Women Beware Women’, which opens tonight at the National Theatre.  Playing the role of Bianca, Lauren is co-starring alongside fellow Spotlight members Harriet Walter, Raymond Coulthard and Nick Blood, a 2008 Spotlight Prize Nominee!    This year’s Spotlight Showcase is scheduled to take place on the 20th July.  22 drama students who have been nominated by their CDS drama school as the best actor from their graduating year. will perform to an exclusive VIP audience of agents, casting professionals and others. ...

posted on 27th April 2010 Read full article >>

Five top tips for musical theatre casting from David Grindrod

At this week’s Spotlight Graduate Programme event, casting director David Grindrod spoke to final-year musical theatre and dance graduates about casting for musical theatre. David’s vast theatre credits include Mamma Mia, The Phantom of the Opera Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story, Saturday Night Fever, Starlight Express, and he is currently appearing on the BBC’s Over the Rainbow. Topics covered included how to approach a casting director, what to expect in an audition and common pitfalls to avoid.  For anyone wanting to break into musical theatre here are his top five tips:...

posted on 21st April 2010 Read full article >>

Spotlight Summer Ball tickets on sale

Now in its 6th year, the Spotlight Summer Ball brings together nearly 1,000 students from CDS and CDET schools, to enjoy a night of live bands, DJs, entertainment, special guests and prizes until the early hours.  It’s a chance for the students to celebrate the end of their drama training and to meet other students from schools all across the country.  Taking place at Cafe de Paris on Sunday 30th May, the dress code is ‘Classic Hollywood and the entertainment line up and prizes will be confirmed shortly.     The 2009 ball was hosted by Sarah...

posted on 14th April 2010 Read full article >>

Spotlight at the National Student Drama Festival

The National Student Drama Festival starts tomorrow in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, and Spotlight is one of the sponsors. Pippa Harrison, Spotlight’s head of client services, and Will Davies, agent and casting liaison, will be at the festival from 30 March to 1 April hosting a seminar entitled “How to be a Professional Actor” and attending a couple of Equity networking events. The National Student Drama Festival is a week-long celebration of theatre, live performance, discussion and special events.  NSDF10 offers students the chance to attend workshops and discussions covering all aspects of theatre and performance, including acting,...

posted on 26th March 2010 Read full article >>

Spotlight sponsors the Alan Bates Bursary 2010

Spotlight are proud to announce sponsorship of the Alan Bates Bursary 2010. This Bursary is awarded annually to a promising young actor, at the outset of their career. Sir Alan Bates was the Patron of the Actors Centre from 1994 until his death in 2004. He cared passionately about the craft of acting and about the cause of young actors entering the profession. The Alan Bates Bursary was endowed to commemorate his inspirational work on behalf of the Actors Centre and will be awarded annually to an actor of exceptional talent. This year's recipient will be...

posted on 24th March 2010 Read full article >>

Five Top Tips for TV and Film Casting from Kate Rhodes James

At this week’s Spotlight Graduate Programme event, casting director Kate Rhodes James (Bleak House, Cold Feet, Into the Storm, Mo Mowlam, The Fattest Man in Great Britain) spoke to final-year drama graduates about casting for film and television.  Topics covered included how to approach a casting director, what to expect in an audition and how best to present yourself (CV’s and photographs).  For anyone wanting to break into television and film here are her top five tips:  Research each casting director before you meet or contact them.  If you’re...

posted on 17th March 2010 Read full article >>

Spotlight Prize nominees announced

We are pleased to announce the names of the 22 drama students who have been nominated for the annual Spotlight Prize in 2010. Each nominee has been selected by their CDS drama school as the best actor from their graduating year. The nominees will now perform at the prestigious Spotlight Showcase on 20 July 2010, to an exclusive VIP audience of agents, casting professionals and others. A panel of industry experts will award two prizes based on the performances: Best Actor/Actress (£2,000) Highly Commended Actor/Actress (£1,500) The...

posted on 10th March 2010 Read full article >>

Promote your graduate show on the Spotlight Calendar

Calling all graduate actors, dancers, child artists and young performers! Did you know that the Spotlight Performance Calendar allows you to advertise your final year performances and showcases to the entire casting industry? Used by casting directors, agents, producers and directors throughout the UK, the details, dates and locations of your show are accessible from all areas of our website. Furthermore, for drama and dance graduate performances, each posting has a cast list which can link directly through to your Spotlight CV and photo.  This is a completely free service open to: All...

posted on 3rd March 2010 Read full article >>