Author: Karen Johal
-
Meet the Director: Danielle Kassaraté on ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’
The Resident Director of ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’, Danielle Kassaraté, discusses her advice on auditioning for the West End and how her acting background has influenced her approach to directing. Danielle Kassaraté is an actor, director and co-founder of MAWA, the UK’s first all-Black, all-female Shakespeare theatre company. After studying Musical Theatre at The…
-
Subverting South Asian Stereotypes with Kerena Jagpal
Kerena Jagpal discusses working on the upcoming feature film ‘100 Nights of Hero’, playing ‘Laila’ in ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ and why she gravitates towards projects that tell the stories of resilient women. A British South Asian actor from a Punjabi background, Kerena Jagpal spent three years training in a studio, in the Oxfordshire countryside…
-
10 Things I Learned at a South Asian Artist Residency
Discover key insights from a South Asian artist residency and the benefits of participating in an artist residency as an actor. An artist residency is a temporary program where an organisation will typically facilitate an artist with the space and time to freely explore their creative ideas. Some residencies will provide the artist with accommodation,…
-
Why Drag is King for Confidence with Megan Harrison
Actor Megan Harrison discusses how they created their drag king persona ‘Fabio Lezonli’, how drag has improved their self-confidence and their advice for actors taking the big first step into the world of drag. Megan Harrison is an actor, producer and drag performer, best known for their roles on the West End as a young…
-
My Casting Story: Ros Watt in ‘Macbeth’ at the Donmar Warehouse
Actor Ros Watt discusses how they approached performing as ‘Malcolm’ in a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth alongside David Tennant and Cush Jumbo. Ros Watt is a Scottish trans masculine actor (pronouns they/he), who is best known for their recent performance in the Donmar Warehouse’s production of Macbeth, directed by Max Webster. The production starred…
-
Working on Theatre Tours with Actor Nikhita Lesler
Actor Nikhita Lesler discusses her recent role as ‘Lizzie’ in ‘Eng-Er-Land’, playing ‘Lady Worcester’ in Netflix’s ‘Blood, Sex and Royalty’ and ‘Poppy’ in the West End tour of ‘Noises Off’. Travelling to different locations and performing for a variety of audiences, while bonding with your supporting cast and crew, are some of the reasons why…
-
How to Prepare for a Stage Performance
Top tips on how to prepare for a role on the stage, analyse a script and perform for a live audience. The theatre is a space that surges with energy that can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Acting for the stage requires a different approach than film or television and it isn’t necessarily about making…
-
A Performer’s Guide to Getting Organised in 2025
A how-to guide on setting and achieving goals for the year ahead, plus tips and tools to progress your performing career. At the start of a new year, many of us feel a mounting pressure to reinvent, whether through a ‘New Year, New Me’ mindset or by setting unrealistic goals all while fighting against a…
-
West End Performer Meesha Turner on Approaching Pantomime
West End performer Meesha Turner discusses her recent role in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, her debut in Six the Musical and working in pantomime for the first time. As Christmas fast approaches, theatres across the UK are preparing for the great British tradition of pantomime. A flamboyant panto dame, a good baddie, innuendos and…
-
How to Get Work in Commercials: A Beginner’s Guide
Tips for actors looking to break into commercial work, including what to expect at the audition, how much you’ll get paid and what to look for in breakdowns. On average, around 60% of the auditions you do as an actor in the UK are for commercials. Brands are producing television advertisements all year round for…