Category: News & Advice
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How Casting Has Changed
Top casting directors discuss how they’ve seen the casting process evolve over the years, from in-person auditions to self-tapes. The path to the audition room has transformed over the last decade. What was once a world of physical headshots and in-person sessions has shifted into a more digital landscape of self-tapes and global reach. While…
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Billy Barratt: From Emmy Breakout to ITV’s ‘Gone’ and ‘The Chaperones’
Billy Barratt discusses his latest roles in ITV’s ‘Gone’ and ‘The Chaperones’ and how he’s evolved five years after his historic Emmy win. The last time Spotlight sat down with Billy Barratt, he was a 13-year-old making history as the youngest-ever winner of an International Emmy. His haunting performance as ‘Ray’ in Responsible Child had…
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‘One Battle After Another’ Leads the 2026 Oscars Winners
‘Sinners’, Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley among other top winners at the Academy Awards 2026. The winners of the 98th Academy Awards have been crowned at a ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, marking a monumental night for cinema that saw both long-awaited triumphs and groundbreaking firsts. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another won…
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Daniel Edwards on Casting Directors Getting Their Red Carpet Moment
The role of casting directors and why their craft is finally being recognised at the Oscars this year. For decades, they have been the invisible department. You see the actor’s face, you hear the writer’s words and you marvel at the director’s vision, but the person who initially fused those elements together often remains in…
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Celebrating a Generation of ‘Best Picture’ Casting
We pay tribute to the British Casting Directors behind 30 years of ‘Best Picture’ Oscar nominees. The introduction of the Academy Award for Best Casting is a monumental milestone – a long-overdue standing ovation for the professionals who assemble the emotional soul of every story. While the ‘Big Five’ categories have traditionally taken the spotlight,…
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‘Paddington the Musical’ Wins Big at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2026
‘Paddington the Musical’ leads with nine awards, while ‘Evita’ wins six at the 2026 WhatsOnStage Awards. The winners of the 2026 WhatsOnStage Awards have been crowned at a ceremony at the London Palladium, celebrating the very best of British theatre as voted for by audiences. As the only major theatre awards decided entirely by the…
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The Women Powering Spotlight
Meet the women at Spotlight who invest their expertise to expand your opportunities. In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re showcasing some of the fantastic women working behind the scenes at Spotlight to champion performers and casting professionals. From policy and marketing to product development and member support, these “architects of opportunity” share their career…
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Olivier Awards 2026 Nominations Announced
‘Paddington the Musical’ and ‘Into the Woods’ lead the 2026 Olivier Awards nominees list with 11 nominations each. The nominations for the 2026 Olivier Awards have been announced at a ceremony at the London Palladium, ahead of the star-studded 50th-anniversary event at the Royal Albert Hall. The frontrunners for this year’s awards are the Savoy…
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Celebrate World Book Day with Eight Essential Reads for Actors
Enhance your craft and find inspiration with these must-read titles for performers. To celebrate World Book Day, we teamed up with the renowned performing arts publishers Nick Hern Books to curate this reading list for performers. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your physical skills, dive into the psyche of a character, or find your next…
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The Winners of the 2026 Actor Awards
‘Sinners’, ‘The Studio’, ‘The Pitt’, Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley win big at the 32nd annual Actor Awards. The winners of the 32nd annual Actor Awards have now been revealed. Previously known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the awards celebrate the finest film and television performances of the past year, as chosen by…