Category: News & Advice
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The Actors’ Guide to Audition Prep
The insider guide to successful preparation, to ace that upcoming audition. Acting auditions can be sudden and stressful. Here are Katie Redford’s top hints and tips to making the most of that precious audition prep time – whether you’ve got only got a few hours, or have been blessed with a few days! One of the first…
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Casting Director Jerry Knight-Smith on: How to Audition Well
Casting director Jerry Knight-Smith shares his top tips for auditioning. As part of Spotlight’s range of Q&A sessions for graduates, we held a session in Manchester at The Royal Exchange with casting director Jerry Knight-Smith. Here’s his thoughts on showreels, whether he casts unrepresented performers, and how to audition well.
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Casting Director Kelly Phelan on: Tips for Aspiring Actors
Casting director at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Kelly Phelan, talked to us at our Ireland graduate Q&A, to offer her tips to aspiring actors.
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Top Tips from Leading Commercial Casting Director
We recently spoke to leading casting director Martin Gibbons, as part of the Spotlight Graduate Programme. Held in Manchester, the events were tailored to students graduating from drama school in the North West. Martin Gibbons Casting is an independent casting company experienced in casting TV commercials, television, theatre and film. Martin has been a casting director…
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How to Ace Your Showcase
An Oxford dictionary definition: Showcase 1. An event that shows someone’s abilities or good qualities in an attractive way. 2. A box with a glass top or sides that is used for showing objects in a shop, store or museum. Despite first hand experience, I am still at times confused as to which of these…
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10 Audition Tips from Casting Director Jerry Knight-Smith
The Spotlight Graduate Programme is designed to prepare final year students for the industry, and this includes many opportunities to network with and bounce ideas off the experts! Spotlight recently hosted some graduate events in Manchester, including a Q&A with casting director for the Royal Exchange Theatre, Jerry Knight-Smith. Jerry offered the attendees a great…
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The National Youth Theatre Rep Season: An Insider Guide to Training at the NYT
A chat about the NYT’s programme for actors The National Youth Theatre offers a variety of opportunities for young performers looking to hone their craft. None is so recognised as their rep season: 15 students train for 9 months, learning essential skills and performing a season of shows at the end of the programme. Spotlight spoke to…
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How to Self-Tape at Home
Our tips on how you can self-tape from home So you’ve received that email from your agent asking you to put yourself on tape for a casting, and they need the audition WeTransferred across by tomorrow. With our ‘how to’ video, this process need never feel rushed or stressful again! If you’re able to start…
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Introducing the nominees for the Spotlight Showcase 2017
20 of the UK and Ireland’s most talented young drama school graduates have been selected to compete in front of an exclusive industry panel in July at the Spotlight Showcase 2017. The finalists will be launching their career to an audience of influential industry professionals on 11th July at The Underglobe, with a live theatre performance and…
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An Actor’s Guide To Procrastination: How To Make The Most Of Your Time
Ah, hello 7.30am! You came around a bit too quickly for my liking, you little rascal you. Spring out of bed. Pop on Chris Evans on Radio 2. (Aaaand I’ve turned into my Dad.) Jump in the shower. Make some porridge. My Friday morning is already looking as fresh as an Activia advert. Grab my…