starting out

182 articles
Getting Work
A drama teacher helping two young performers doing a drama game
How to Become a Freelance Teacher in the Arts

Looking for a side job? Start teaching drama, dance or singing with these helpful tips.

acting
dance
finances/legal
Young Performers
Young actor Evie Templeton in 'Lord of Misrule'
My Casting Story: Evie Templeton in ‘Return to Silent Hill’

Evie Templeton shares her experience working on horror film ‘Return to Silent Hill’, plus her top tips for dealing with nerves on set and how to stay disciplined with your schoolwork. Young performer Evie Templeton already has a career spanning across theatre, television and film, and was a finalist in the first-ever Spotlight Young Performer […]

casting news
film
interview
Self-Employment
Young woman using a iPad to register as a sole trader
How to Set Yourself Up as a Freelancer

When actors need to register as sole traders, how to calculate tax and where additional work can affect it. 

finances/legal
self-employed
starting out
The Essentials
Layton Williams and Luke Millington-Drake standing at an orange podium during the CDG Awards 2024
5 Top Tips From 5 Top Actors

The stars of ‘Bad Education’, ‘A Discovery of Witches’, ‘Dreaming Whilst Black’ and more share their top acting tips that performers of every level should know. If you could only give only one piece of advice to your fellow actors, what would it be? Would you caution them about being prepared for auditions, or share […]

acting advice
awards
casting directors
The Industry
The Theatre Royal in Newcastle on a cloudy, blue sky day
The Benefits of Regional Theatre

We shine the spotlight on regional theatres across the UK and Ireland and showcase why they’re important to local communities and performers. For many performers, a role in a smash-hit musical or a prestigious play in a West End theatre is the ultimate dream. It’s no secret that London is the heart of the theatre […]

ireland
musical theatre
scotland
Spotlight
The Spotlight studios at 16 Garrick Street
Introducing Our Studio Sessions Service

Come create the perfect self-tape at a discounted rate with our in-house service! Our offices in Garrick Street feature six expertly-designed studios that are frequently used for casting your favourite films, TV shows and commercials. We love getting to meet all the casting professionals who come in to use our spaces, and we want our […]

monologues
news
self-taping
The Essentials
A young actress setting up her landscape phone on a tripod for a self-tape
6 Simple Tips to Make Your Self-Tape Sizzle

Six simple ways to avoid the most common self-tape pitfalls to ensure you’re sending off your best work every time. Self-taping has become a permanent fixture of a performer’s life, but it doesn’t have to be a source of stress. Whether you’re submitting for a commercial or a lead in a feature film, the goal […]

auditions
monologues
self-taping
The Essentials
A cruise ship sailing towards the horizon while the sun sets
What You Need to Know About Acting on a Cruise Ship

Everything you need to be aware of before you set sail as a cruise ship performer, including contract details, how you’ll be taxed and life on board. Cruise performer jobs are a great way to see the world, meet new people and do what you love – all while getting paid. However, it’s a unique […]

dance
finances/legal
musical theatre
Spotlight
An old Spotlight directory
The History of the Spotlight Prize

A look at past Spotlight Prize winners and how the Rodney Millington Award evolved.

drama school
graduates
musical theatre
The Industry
A hand pointing a remote at a TV with lots of streaming options on screen
The Evolution of Pilot Season

​​​What is pilot season, how has the process changed with the rise of streaming services and why adapting to these changes is important for actors. Most actors may have heard the term ‘pilot season’ at some point during their career. It​ was once ​known as the busiest time of ​the ​year for auditions​ and many […]

karen johal
starting out
television