Tag: comedy
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Why Drag is King for Confidence with Megan Harrison
Actor Megan Harrison discusses how they created their drag king persona ‘Fabio Lezonli’, how drag has improved their self-confidence and their advice for actors taking the big first step into the world of drag. Megan Harrison is an actor, producer and drag performer, best known for their roles on the West End as a young…
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Karen Dunbar: From ‘Chewin’ the Fat’ to ‘Still Wakes the Deep’ BAFTA Win
We talk to Karen Dunbar about her recent BAFTA win for her video gaming debut and the 30+ year performing career that took her to that moment. Interview Summary: Karen Dunbar discusses her career from hosting pub karaoke, working on comedy shows like Chewin’ the Fat, playing three roles in Phyllida Lloyd’s all-female Shakespeare trilogy…
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Rachel Freck on Casting ‘That Christmas’
Christmas and comedy casting connoisseur Rachel Freck on That Christmas, how she got started as a casting director and what she wants to see in auditions. Rachel Freck is an Emmy-award-winning casting director whose work you’ll most definitely be familiar with. Her impressive list of credits includes comedy big-hitters The Office, Twenty Twelve, Green Wing,…
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5 Tips to Bring Comedy to Your Improv
Five practical tips for being funny and improvising well. As recently shared while teaching ‘Comedy for Actors’ for Spotlight, improv is a really useful tool – whether trying to be funny or get booked. Oddly, to be funny, you don’t actually have to try. Don’t try to be funny, sexy, or clever – because you…
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Making and Performing Comedic Work with Dave Hearn from Mischief Theatre
In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we speak to Dave Hearn, actor and co-founder of Olivier Award winning theatre company, Mischief Theatre. We discuss Dave’s journey with Mischief Theatre, from the early days of performing in rooms above pubs, right through to the West End transfers and TV commissions that followed. 54 minute listen…
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How to Get Gigs: Tips for Aspiring Comedians
Maureen Younger offers her advice for budding comedians on how to secure gigs and get your start on the comedy scene In the old days, you’d buy a copy of Time Out, scan the Comedy pages, and ring up those listings looking for ‘interested acts’ to give them a call. Now, of course, it’s all…
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How to Develop a Comedy Persona
Where actors are required to put on a new character with every role, performing standup is all about developing a single consistent ‘persona’ to adopt and grow each time you take to the stage. Developing your comedy persona is the lynchpin to becoming a good comedian. In short, it is learning how to be you…
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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…