Category: News & Advice
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How Acting Can Get You Started In Comedy
How your acting skills give you a head start as a comedian! When I started stand up, I’d been to just the one comedy gig and had no idea about the circuit. Egged on by an acquaintance, I attended a course at The Actors Centre, at the end of which I had to perform 5 minutes…
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Laban Character Analysis with Sarah Perry
An introduction to the potential benefits of Laban Movement Analysis for actors We are all a body in a space moving with effort from shape to shape. Sarah Perry At our recent Open House, Sarah Perry hosted a session on character analysis, using Laban. Laban Movement Analysis is a theoretical framework using movement, specifically observing how…
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Immersive Theatre: Advice for Actors
Chris Neels talks to Colab Theatre’s Bertie Watkins on what it takes to audition and be cast in immersive theatre As soon as the audience picks up that you’re not hot on your feet, they’re going to start going after you. Improvisation is very key… You need to have great knowledge retention, but not in…
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Audition Advice with Casting Director Heather Basten
What casting directors look for in the room Heather Basten is currently a casting associate alongside Kharmel Cochrane, where her most recent work was on the casting department for Netflix’s ‘The End of the F***ing World.’ Heather is a probationary member of the CDG and she began in the industry at the BFI. It was there she…
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Acting Techniques: Lecoq with Sam Hardie
Starting out with Lecoq as an actor One of the great techniques for actors, Jacques Lecoq’s method focuses on physicality and movement. Lecoq himself believed in the importance of freedom and creativity from his students, giving an actor the confidence to creatively express themselves, rather than being bogged down by stringent rules. With notable students…
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What You Need to Know About Movement Directors
Exploring Physical Theatre Movement Director Kane Husbands led a practical workshop at Spotlight’s Open House week, exploring the many ways theatre artists may audition actors for more physical roles, from physical creative improvisation tasks to learning moments of choreography. Kane is the Artistic Director of The PappyShow, a physical and visual theatre company specialising in…
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How to Audition for Kahleen Crawford
Auditions, showreels, and submissions During November Open House week, we spoke to casting director Kahleen Crawford (I, Daniel Blake, Under the Skin) to get her insights into what she looks for in the audition room, and how she shortlists actors for roles. Watch now! You can also watch Kahleen on the panel for our discussion on Refreshing…
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Top 5 Tips For Making the Most of Your Social Media
Our tips for making the most of your online presence as an actor. Once you’ve set up your social media presence online, there are lots of ways to make the most of this as a resource for both you as an individual and as a professional actor. Keep in touch with the industry, connect with peers and…
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An Actor’s Guide to Good Etiquette
Katie Redford’s guide to making a positive first impression as you step out into the industry… My favourite story regarding an actor contacting a casting director was the one when they sent a single shoe with a note attached saying, “Just trying to get my foot in the door”. Now, I can’t speak for casting…
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How to Produce a Theatre Show
Getting started as a producer of your own work with Paines Plough & DryWrite producer Francesca Moody Self-producing is a challenge: it requires spinning a lot of plates! To help you get started, we spoke to Francesca Moody, producer with Paines Plough on this year’s season, who also works regularly with DryWrite, not least on their runaway hit Fleabag,…