Spotlight Open House: October 2019

These sessions are individually timed slots. Please only arrive for your time state on your ticket. During these 15-minute slots, you will have the chance to discuss your Spotlight profile and receive advice from a Casting Director. As time is short, please come prepared with questions and areas you wish to discuss with your Casting Director.

How can I be better prepared for auditions? Will I remember all those lines? How do I manage periods of unemployment? How do I control my nerves? This workshop, run by Dr Jane Oakland, explores some of the more common stress-related issues experienced by actors and ways in which an actor can learn to take proactive steps towards enhancing confidence and general wellbeing. In addition to the topics outlined above, participants are invited to submit their own questions prior to the workshop (anonymously via this link) in order to tailor the content to the specific needs of those taking part. Discussion and practical application will form part of this workshop.

Kickstarter PBC is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others. As a Public Benefit Corporation, we're committed to supporting creative communities, fighting inequality, protecting our environment, and championing arts and culture. Gemma Seltzer, Kickstarter's UK lead, will lead the session focusing on getting your project off the ground. She'll share insights, case studies and tools for getting your project started. Whether you’re ready to start building your page or just want to explore the Kickstarter format, this session aims to inspire you to share your ideas with the world.

We know that sometimes life can be the hardest act of all and that many people in the performing arts will experience challenges with their mental health at some point in their lives. That's why Spotlight created ArtsMinds, with Equity, The Stage and BAPAM, to offer support for people who need it most and encourage people in the performing arts to talk more about the importance of getting support if you're in need. These private, 20-minute one-on-one sessions are a chance for you to speak to counselling psychologist Dr Jane Oakland, who works with BAPAM. The session is completely confidential and an opportunity for you to discuss any challenges that you're currently facing for which you may require support. There is no charge for these sessions. BAPAM also offer free in-depth assessments at their clinic in Euston for anyone involved in the performing arts and have a range of discounts with practitioners listed on their Directory of Practitioners, to whom you can self-refer. Please ring the clinic on 0207 404 5888 to find out more.

These sessions are individually timed slots. Please only arrive for your time state on your ticket. During these 15-minute slots, you will have the chance to discuss your Spotlight profile and receive advice from a Casting Director. As time is short, please come prepared with questions and areas you wish to discuss with your Casting Director.

These sessions are individually timed slots. Please only arrive for your time state on your ticket. During these 15-minute slots, you will have the chance to discuss your Spotlight profile and receive advice from Carl Proctor. As time is short, please come prepared with questions and areas you wish to discuss with Carl.

It’s important to be treated with dignity and respect as a performer. Learn about your rights with Amy Dawson from Equity – your trade union. Find out about tackling low and no pay, overtime, holiday pay, breaks, and much more. You’ll also learn how to get to grips with contracts and agreements – and how to change things if they don’t seem right.

These 15 minute one to one sessions are aimed at those without current representation. During the session, you will have the chance to ask key questions to an associate agent from United Agents about seeking the right representation for you, tips on your profile and approaching/contacting agencies. Sessions are short so please come prepared with questions.

During this panel discussion, we will look at the relationship between casting director, agent and performer with a focus on theatre. The discussion will focus on the dos and don'ts for auditions, how to make the most of your time in the audition room and give you the chance to ask any burning questions you may have. When booking, please include a topic or question that you would like discussed anonymously during this panel.

As actors, we are asked to transform into and embody a character. Although the voice is often a natural extension of our acting work, there are times when we will need to safely and practically manipulate our voice for fully transformational work. If you have ever wanted to expand your vocal range and versatility, or create new voices, this practical workshop on Character Voice is for you! Nina will lead you through a practical workshop intended to enhance your listening, analysis and creation skills. Using a signature method developed specifically for performers, you will unlock the potential to replicate and create countless voices for extremes such as cartoons, voiceovers, video games, and puppetry, as well as more subtle varieties for intended for the stage, screen, and showreel.

These sessions are individually timed slots. Please only arrive for your time state on your ticket. During these 15-minute slots, you will have the chance to discuss your Spotlight profile and receive advice from a Casting Director. As time is short, please come prepared with questions and areas you wish to discuss with your Casting Director.

Designed specifically for non-native English speakers and actors, this workshop delves more deeply into the mechanics of accent/dialect/speech work as it applies to the contemporary RP accent! Skill level: Beginner Accent/s: Contemporary RP. Brief: If you have ever felt that an accent class with English natives went too fast, struggled to hear the varieties in English accents, or you would simply benefit from an introduction to Contemporary RP, this workshop is for you! Participants will be led through the foundations of most requested RP accent for stage and screen: Contemporary RP, exploring the obvious and not-so-obvious components to sounding 'native'. Borrowing from such methods developed by Jan Haydn Rowles and Edda Sharpe (How to Do Accents), as well as Knight-Thompson Speechwork (Experiencing Speech), this course will allow you to increase vocal and articulatory agility as well as authentically embody RP sounds for audition and performance. Participants will be introduced to key sounds, and apply to script.

A choice of scenes from past shows Daniel has cast will be sent to you one week in advance of the workshop. The session will start with an introduction, then we will work on the scenes on camera in a more relaxed setting with notes and changes, then everyone will do the scene again, this will be followed by a brief cold read if there is time! This will be followed by a candid Q&A.

These 15 minute one to one sessions are aimed at those without current representation. During the session, you will have the chance to ask key questions to an agent from Keddie Scott Associates about seeking the right representation for you, tips on your profile and approaching/contacting agencies. Sessions are short so please come prepared with questions.

Workshop for TV: Laura will send out scenes ahead of the workshop for you to prepare in any accent of your choice. She will the work through the scene with you, give you notes and feedback. After everyone has read she will do a Q&A asking any questions you may have!

A convincing American accent is a crucial component to an actor's toolbox. Whether you are auditioning for an American role or wish to confidently expand the accents listed on your CV, this workshop is for you. This course will allow you to increase vocal and articulatory agility as well as authentically embody American sounds for audition and performance.

In this interactive workshop, we’ll start by looking at how shows are cast, what creative teams need to see when auditioning performers for theatre productions, what makes theatre auditions different from those for productions in other media and ways of maximising your impact when you’re in the audition room itself. We’ll then move on to a mock audition for a theatre production – focussing on comedy (by far the most difficult genre to get right at auditions). Scripts will be emailed prior to the workshop day. You’ll not only receive feedback on your own audition, but will also be able to watch and learn from the auditions of the other participants. You’ll leave the session with greater insight and confidence for future auditions, as well as skills that can be transferred to auditions and castings in other media.

During this workshop, you will have the chance to work with theatre director Michael Oakley on performing Shakespeare. This workshop is an exploration of Shakespeare and early modern texts, looking at the differences between writers of the early modern period in relation to verse and prose speaking and discovering the many different ways in which heightened text can be lifted from the page to the stage in modern productions.

Spend the morning with Hannah Miller looking at audition technique and casting at the RSC. Participants should come with a short 2/3-minute speech prepared, ideally from the classical repertoire. Everyone will perform their piece in front of the group in an audition format and there will be time for reflection and a Q&A.

Want to create a solo show but not sure where to start? Come along to this workshop where you will learn skills to get you started. From identifying your voice and story, to devising to dramaturgy, Natasha will take you through the steps to get your idea from your mind to the stage. Expect practical exercises and a relaxed environment for exploration and questions. This workshop is best suited to artists who have not created solo shows before but would like to start.

The aim of this workshop is for the participants to gain experience, oversight and a basic understanding of the different ranges of skills that are required and necessary to enhance physical performance in theatre and film. This workshop will explore movement and the relationship to the camera.Background and foreground work. We will look at some physical repertory work and a chance for participants to devise and create their own material for camera and reflect back on their work.

Drop in for our 1:1 accent session offer! For actors with specific queries, troubleshooting, projects, or concerns. Skill level: Any Accent/s: Any Brief: A unique opportunity to get a 1:1 session with a professional accent coach, Sessions will be capped at 20 minutes, and will be a focused, practical exploration of existing issues or concerns. Bring any accent query - whether its nailing the American R, a specific line of script, or general accent check in!

Want to refresh your stage combat skills? Been a little while since drama school? This Stage Combat workshop will look at the fundamental principals of Unarmed fights, helping you sell the role whilst keeping you, and your partner, safe! Suitable for complete beginners or those who would like to update their skills. Rc-Annie Ltd is the UK's leading dramatic violence company. We have been training actors for 14 years and as Fight Directors our recent work includes productions with The RSC, Royal Court, Theatre Royal Stratford East, National Youth Theatre and Leicester Curve.

These sessions are individually timed slots. Please only arrive for your time state on your ticket. During these 15-minute slots, you will have the chance to discuss your Spotlight profile and receive advice from a Casting Director. As time is short, please come prepared with questions and areas you wish to discuss with your Casting Director.

What you need to know to quickly apply accent into your self tapes. Skill level: Beginner Accent/s: General American and Contemporary RP. Brief: In this workshop we will run a quick introduction/refresher on General American and Contemporary RP key sounds. Nina will run the American section and Katie the RP in two one hour segments, then reverse, offering their feedback and native ear/s. In the final part of the session Nina and Katie will teach you how to mark your script, comparing both text to both accents for practice.

In this intensive three hour workshop, we'll work through a series of creative exercises in order to plot, plan and draft a play from beginning to end. We'll focus on character, dialogue and action to help develop vague ideas into solid drama. This workshop is aimed at complete beginners and those who haven't written for some time. Come along and develop your playwriting skills in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

The Meisner Approach: one of the most popular and fastest growing single acting approaches in the UK. Want to find out why? This three-hour class will include an overview of the approach and how it relates to other modern acting systems. Actors will engage in observation exercises and get a taste of Meisner's famous 'Repetition Exercise' as well as some of the various improvisations it can give birth to. Students can, if they wish, also bring a piece of text they are working on to experience how versions of the exercise can become immediately helpful on scripted work. Decide for yourself if it's the approach for you.

The aim of this workshop is for the participants to gain experience, oversight and a basic understanding of the different ranges of skills that are required and necessary to enhance physical performance in theatre and film. This will focus on what makes a great ensemble, what are the necessary components to build up safe spaces to create efficient and effective scene work, this may involve working in smaller groups and discussion.

How much preparation should an actor do before rehearsals? How brave can an actor be in the rehearsal room? What choices does a director expect the actor to make and are they allowed to make them? What happens when an actor and director disagree? This workshop looks at the relationship between actor and director in the rehearsal room and beyond. It starts with how a director gets a play onstage in the first place, how the company is assembled and an exploration of the working relationships which are forged for performers both inside and outside the rehearsal room.

A look at General American and Contemporary RP, and comparing style, genre and culture in Drama vs. Comedy. Skill level: Mid/Advanced Accent/s: General American and Contemporary RP. Brief: In this workshop we are able to offer those who have the basics firmly in place an advanced look into show genre, and the accompanying style expected when delivering a script. This is the next level of accent work, where we begin truly lifting the text from the page.

The aim of this workshop is for the participants to gain experience, oversight and a basic understanding of the different ranges of skills that are required and necessary to enhance physical performance in theatre and film. This work will involve character study and some animal work, also participants are asked to bring a painting/drawing on hard copy that they find interesting to explore on the day (NO images on phones or any electronic devises). This maybe taken into writing and devising their own physical and verbal monologues to perform.

Most actors’ biggest issue is getting known and getting seen. How can we tackle that issue head on? When we’ve taken a break from the industry some of our contacts may have gone cold, our brand has definitely changed and ways of doing things may have moved on with the introduction of new and ever-advancing technologies.

This is a session for beginners to more advanced levels. We will be focusing on the Voice and how to physically engage our potential by exercises and games that remind us of our technique and refresh our imaginations. The session will be a full Vocal and Body workout with exercises from some of the great Voice teachers of our age. We will also be having fun and learning new practices and methods. Be prepared to speak, sing, hum, project and articulate as this fully accessible workshop demands commitment and connection to our Voices through our Bodies.

During this panel discussion, you will have the chance to submit your questions and hear from casting directors across TV, Film and theatre.

This panel will host agents across the mediums of TV, Theatre & Film and is the perfect place for Graduates to ask their burning questions about representation. This particular panel is aimed at members who are currently unrepresented after drama school.