Tag: theatre
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Alternative Training with Fourth Monkey
We speak to Artistic Director Steve Green about Fourth Monkey and their training programmes. Based in London and Bristol, Fourth Monkey is a contemporary drama school offering three full-time professional, accredited training courses: CertHE Acting and Theatre Making, BA (Hons) Acting and MA Collaborative Theatre. The training programmes are founded on the principles of ensemble and are designed…
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Directing Your Own Work with Paines Plough
Paines Plough’s Joint Artistic Director James Grieve talks to Spotlight about moving from acting to directing – and how important it is to make your own work! James Grieve is the Joint Artistic Director of Paines Plough (“PP”) alongside George Perrin. He started out as an actor before moving over to directing, and as a result, James had a lot…
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Edinburgh Fringe: Writing and Performing Your Own Work
Theatre creators and performers joue le genre on their latest play What Goes On In Front Of Closed Doors – what you need to know to take your own show to the Fringe Emma Bentley and Camille Favre are the artistic directors of joue le genre, taking their second production to the Edinburgh Fringe this year. Spotlight spoke…
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A Day in the Life of the British Broadway Understudy
Chris Neels follows two British understudies currently living the unpredictable understudy life in New York… Thousands of miles from home, never really knowing if they will be performing from one night to the next, the life of a British understudy on Broadway is unpredictable and, at times, monotonous. But how do you prepare every day…
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Gender Equality in Theatre: A Discussion With Bechdel Theatre
How do we champion equality on stage? Beth Watson of Bechdel Theatre has a few ideas. The Bechdel Test asks three questions of a work of fiction: “Are there two female characters? Do they talk to each other? About something other than a man?” It’s a test coined by Alison Bechdel, and aims to bring…
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Playing Up at the NYT: Alternative Training for Young Performers
An insight into the Playing Up course at the National Youth Theatre The Playing Up course is an access to education course provided by the National Youth Theatre. It offers aspiring actors between the ages of 19 and 25 a 10-month training programme, specifically for young people not in education, employment or training. On completion, there is the…
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Diversity in Theatre Casting: LGBT Inclusivity in the Arts
A discussion of inclusivity for young LGBT+ actors working today, with National Theatre casting assistant Jacob Sparrow Pride month may be over, but the discussion on LGBT+ inclusivity and diversity in casting doesn’t end here. We caught up with Jacob Sparrow, casting assistant at the National Theatre, to discuss his top tips for young gay actors,…
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How to Start Your Own Theatre Company
Explore the ins and outs of running a small theatre company with Fledgling Theatre. Fledgling Theatre (who are Christopher Neels, Callum Cameron and Patrick Holt in the UK, and have an Australian arm headed up by Chris Huntley-Turner) have been creating their own work as a company since its founding members left the Royal Central School of Speech…
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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 Approach a Small Theatre Company
Want to make theatre with a local company? Here’s how to get started. Whether you’re looking for that vital last credit for your Spotlight membership application or just love theatre (and don’t quite know how to get the Old Vic’s attention!), approaching small theatre companies can be a great way to gain a foot in…