Category: The Industry

  • How Lighting Affects Actors

    How Lighting Affects Actors

    How the world of lighting impacts actors, the characters they play and the scenes they’re in. The magic is rarely under the spotlight, it’s in the mystery surrounding it. Lighting is a powerful tool I always pay attention to, not only when watching a play or a film but also as something I can harness…

  • Transitioning from Theatre to TV

    Transitioning from Theatre to TV

    Making the change from performing at the theatre to on-camera is not always an easy transition. Actress Karen Johal writes about the differences and difficulties when making the move from stage to the small screen. I’ve worked on several shows over the years both off-broadway in New York and at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre – my…

  • Performer Parent Online Coffee Mornings

    Performer Parent Online Coffee Mornings

    We’ve partnered with Parents and Carers in Performing Arts to run a new wellbeing initiative for Spotlight members who are also parents, guardians or carers. Coffee & Connect is a great way to meet other performer parents, ask questions, learn new things, share experiences, and of course to have coffee (bring your own!). We’ve put together some FAQs…

  • Meet the Casting Directors: Rosie and James Pearson

    Meet the Casting Directors: Rosie and James Pearson

    Get to know more about husband and wife team James and Rosie Pearson, founders of the award-winning Pearson Casting. When you cast a show that you truly love, it never feels like work to sit and watch extraordinarily talented people singing or reading scenes from the musical. Can you explain a little bit about your background…

  • Casting ‘Heartstopper’, Netflix’s LGBTQ+ Teen Drama

    Casting ‘Heartstopper’, Netflix’s LGBTQ+ Teen Drama

    We speak to Patrick Walters, executive producer of Heartstopper, and casting director Daniel Edwards CDG about the show and finding fresh talent. If you’re not already familiar with it, Heartstopper is a beautiful new show on Netflix that shows the blossoming relationship between the main characters Nick and Charlie. The series deals with teen topics like love, relationships, friendship…

  • Why I Became an Actor

    Why I Became an Actor

    We spoke to performers attending the Casting Directors Awards 2022 to find out what made them want to become actors. The Casting Directors Awards (CDGs) are over for another year. Trophies were awarded, speeches were given, laughs were had and drinks were drunk. Meanwhile we jumped at the chance to speak with some of the performer…

  • Meet the Casting Director: David Grindrod

    Meet the Casting Director: David Grindrod

    Find out more about casting director David Grindrod who specialises in casting theatre and musical theatre both in London’s West End and on tour. Can you explain a little bit about your background and how you got started in casting? Many years ago I went to LAMDA (The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) to…

  • Spotlight Supports Ukrainian Performers and Casting Professionals

    Spotlight Supports Ukrainian Performers and Casting Professionals

    Spotlight is proud to be supporting Ukrainian performers and casting professionals At this difficult time of uncertainty for our Ukrainian friends and colleagues, we are pleased to be able to offer complimentary casting subscriptions to casting professionals, and a complimentary year of membership to Ukrainian performers. For casting professionals who are new to Spotlight, or…

  • Bridgerton’s Lizzy Talbot on Intimacy Coordination

    Bridgerton’s Lizzy Talbot on Intimacy Coordination

    We speak with intimacy coordinator Lizzy Talbot to gain an insight into her role and what it entails on set. Former theatre fight director Lizzy Talbot is one of the world’s most sought-after intimacy coordinators for film and TV. Her work on Bridgerton, The Witcher and This Is Going to Hurt have helped deliver some of the most dynamic scenes on the…

  • Perform More, Audition Less with Due Diligence

    Perform More, Audition Less with Due Diligence

    Actor and Voice Over Artist Sandra Gayer explains how due diligence can streamline your audition process, saving you time and energy to spend on actual jobs. “What do you do?” “I audition full time!” Does that send a chill down your spine? It does for me! Some performers get stuck in an audition rut. But what…