Author: Spotlight Admin
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Playing Up at the NYT: Alternative Training for Young Performers
An insight into the Playing Up course at the National Youth Theatre The Playing Up course is an access to education course provided by the National Youth Theatre. It offers aspiring actors between the ages of 19 and 25 a 10-month training programme, specifically for young people not in education, employment or training. On completion, there is the…
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Diversity in Theatre Casting: LGBT Inclusivity in the Arts
A discussion of inclusivity for young LGBT+ actors working today, with National Theatre casting assistant Jacob Sparrow Pride month may be over, but the discussion on LGBT+ inclusivity and diversity in casting doesn’t end here. We caught up with Jacob Sparrow, casting assistant at the National Theatre, to discuss his top tips for young gay actors,…
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Spotlight Prize: Making the most of your showcase
Catching up with Spotlight Prize participants from over the years (Part 2!) The Spotlight Prize 2017 is only a week away! Here is part 2 of our catch up with some of our previous participants and winners to get their insight into the night itself, the networking opportunities and the sense of community that you…
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5 Tips for Success as a Young Performer with Scream Management
Scream Management’s insight into making your way as a young performer Jaymie and Jess from Scream Management are Manchester-based agents, especially knowledgeable on working with children and young performers. At our recent Liverpool Open House, they shared some of their top tips for succeeding as a young performer. 1. Playing age is extra important Playing younger is…
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The Equity Casting Manifesto: What You Need to Know
Spotlight and Equity: a vision for making casting fairer and more inclusive Spotlight has always been committed to ensuring that professional performers of all backgrounds have the opportunity to be cast in productions for live or recorded media. Spotlight A successful casting process is crucial for the UK creative industries. With this in mind Equity, in…
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8 Audition Tips from Pearson Casting
Tips for making the most of your next audition The goal of the casting director is to work on behalf of the producer and in line with the director, choreographer and other creatives in charge of a production, to find a cast that fulfils the wants and needs of the production. Casting can be a…
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Screenwriter Carl Ellsworth on Writing For Actors
Behind the scenes with screenwriter Carl Ellsworth Carl Ellsworth is an American screenwriter best known for his movies, which include Red Eye, Disturbia and The Last House On The Left. Domenique Fragale spoke to Carl on behalf of Spotlight to tell us more about the role of the screenwriter and how performers influence his writing…
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The Story We Tell Ourselves: Tips for Mindfulness
What is mindfulness and where do you start with it? Tom Finch, workshop leader at the Mono Box, gives us an inside view of how mindfulness can help ease emotional turbulence, calm nerves and get us through the tough pace of modern life. Everyday we tell stories. Be it on stage, on set, in rehearsal, to…
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5 Audition Tips for Young Performers
Emma Coleman’s top tips for success at your next audition Spotlight’s recent Young Performer Workshops included a session with Emma Coleman, who has worked in drama education and television for 25 years. Her workshop aimed to provide young actors with practical tips on how to develop an organic, relaxed performance in a pressurised casting environment. Here…
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An Actor’s Story: Understanding Mental Illness
As part of our series for Mental Health Awareness Week, we spoke to two actors about their personal experience with mental health concerns, and the psychological impact of being an actor. Here is the first in the series. Mental health issues were present in my family with depression and anxiety. My brother set up the…