Category: News & Advice
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Producing for the Fringe: The Not-So-Sexy Essentials
Spotlight’s own Ilayda Arden on the essential but not-so-sexy parts of the Fringe: planning, finances and admin Ahhh, The Edinburgh Fringe. The daddy of all arts festivals. The one that ‘You Have to Do Before You Die’ (as people kept telling me years ago). But for performers who want to try their hand at taking…
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The 2018 Spotlight Prize Winners Announced
Lucie Sword and Francesco Piacentini-Smith Scoop Spotlight Stage and Screen Prize. Lucie Sword from RADA has been named Best Stage Actor at this year’s Spotlight Showcase, with Francesco Piacentini-Smith from The GSA being named Best Screen Actor. This year’s stage showcase was judged by acclaimed actors Imelda Staunton, Alex Jennings, Josette Simon, and Pippa Bennett-Warner, along with stage director Robert…
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How to Prepare Safely for Intimate Scenes
Ita O’Brien asks, “How do you navigate the intimate and sexual content serving the director’s vision while keeping you safe?” There is a fine line between being open or being vulnerable; the shift can happen in a moment. This work demands vigilance, presence and mindfulness in order to stay on the right side of doing…
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Dance Auditions: Facing Your Dance Call-back Fear
Ever wanted to ‘get that show’, but didn’t want to deal with the dance call? Jenny Patrone talks through overcoming dance audition fears and how to use the skills you have to your advantage. Dance isn’t just about high kicks and pirouettes. It improves posture, mental health and the benefits are endless. Jenny Patrone Even…
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Don’t Just Be Reasonable: How to Integrate Disabled Performers
Don’t just be “reasonable” says Amelia Cavallo, dissecting the steps you need to consider to create truly inclusive work on stage [In the Equalities Act] there is one sticky phrase, which is “reasonable accommodation”… The problem with this phrase is that there is nothing specific about what is considered reasonable and what isn’t. This makes…
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A Parent’s Guide to Photographing Your Child
Spotlight’s guide to taking the perfect photograph of your child performer! Casting professionals want a clear representation of what your child looks like… [displaying] your child’s unique personality. Spotlight Photos are one of the most important features on your child’s Spotlight profile. A photo is worth a thousand words, and in this case, it’s telling…
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Where Drama Can Lead You: Arts Careers with the Casting Directors Guild’s Sophie Hallett
By Christina Care I always knew that I wanted to work in our wonderful industry – for a while I thought that was as an actress – but while I was at drama school, I became increasingly interested in casting and how the process worked. Whenever any of the tutors at drama school talked about…
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The Spotlight Podcast: How Open Door Helps Young People Get into Acting
David Mumeni talks to us about the importance of making drama school for everyone and how Open Door helps young people get into acting. Actor David Mumeni is the founder of Open Door, a non-profit that helps talented young people who do not have financial support or resources to gain a place at drama school. We caught up…
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A Journey to Edinburgh Fringe: Dramaturgy and Stories
Whether you’re an editor trying to get the latest scoop on the hottest new director or comedian, a writer keen to see your work performed for the first time or an actor deeply immersed in your role, August sees thousands flock to Edinburgh on the hunt for stories that will shape their summer, and that…
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How to Be Creative When You’re Not in Work
Deal with the down time and rediscover your creativity with our guide on how to be creative when you’re not in work. Being a performer guarantees one thing: total uncertainty. It’s hard to know when the next job is coming your way, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t still the creative and passionate performer you…