SpotlightUK

Zoë Alba Farrugia shares her story about moving to the UK as a Maltese performer to follow her acting dream, the challenges she faced and how they inspired her to co-found female-led theatre company Prickly Pear Productions. Prickly Pear Productions champions underrepresented stories and artists and we discuss how that work comes about and the importance of telling stories that are inspired by different cultures and human experiences. In this hour-long episode, we also talk about: Who Creative Edinburgh are and what they do within the creative community The importance of the artistic community Opportunities for creatives in Scotland Creating a theatre company and making work Representation and opportunities for women, particularly migrant women, in the performing arts industry How the industry can be more inclusive and open itself up to better represent different nationalities and cultures The similarities and differences of actors' experiences across the world. Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts. This podcast is brought to you by Spotlight, the home of casting, which has been helping professional performers find roles in TV, film and theatre since 1927. Over 90% of UK television work is cast on Spotlight and now joining us is easier than ever! If you have professional training or professional performance credits or a recommendation from an agent or casting director, you can sign up to become a Spotlight member. As a member you'll get access to our jobs board, and exclusive members-only benefits like workshops, career advice, events, discounts and more!  Ready to take the next step in your performing career? Join us today!

Voice coach Nic Redman gives tips for keeping your voice on top form over the winter and shares advice to help your vocals recover after a cold.

Whether you're a seasoned professional voiceover, or an actor looking to add another skill to your repertoire, the VO Social Podcast ladies can help move your career along. The VO Social Podcast's Nic Redman and Leah Marks have got more than 30 years of voice experience between them, and this episode of The Spotlight Podcast is stacked full of tips on not only improving your skills but also setting and smashing your goals. Find out more about the Voiceover Career Planner at https://www.thevosocial.com/the-voiceover-career-planner

We speak to theatre-maker and performer Robert Softley Gale about working in Scottish theatre and making the Arts accessible for disabled creatives and audiences.

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we chat to actor and comedian Jonny Weldon about auditions, theatre, making your own work, comedy and social media.

This meditation is designed to help you feel more present and connected to what you love doing so you can bring your best self to your self-tape audition.  

This 30 minute meditation is inspired by the idea of togetherness and what gets created when we come together. It's designed to calm and soothe the nervous system and can be helpful to listen to when things in our lives (and the world) are feeling out of control.

There may have been times when things didn't go to plan. Maybe there were some days when you felt like giving up. But you didn't. You're here. So in this 20-minute meditation we gently invite you to celebrate all parts of you. Because all parts of you are worthy of celebration. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.

This 13-minute meditation is designed to support young performers to feel more confident in themselves and their abilities. It's designed to help them to reconnect us to the part of them that knows that anything is possible and to keep trying - even when things don't go to plan! This meditation is suitable for ages 8+ and parents and guardians are encouraged to listen to this meditation along with their child. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.

This 35-minute meditation is designed to help you to unwind and let go of the day, helping to aid a restful night's sleep. We use a progressive muscle relaxation which is a deep relaxation technique to help release stress and tension out of the body. We recommend finding a cosy and comfortable place where you can lie down for this meditation. You may also like to have a blanket or a cover over you. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.

This 12-minute meditation is designed to support young performers who might be feeling a bit nervous or worried - particularly if they have an audition, self-tape or performance coming up. We spend some time relaxing the body and then we go on a short journey where we discover some very special magic clouds. This meditation is suitable for ages 8+ and parents and guardians are encouraged to listen to this meditation along with their child. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.

This 25-minute meditation is themed around the idea of ‘New Beginnings' and is designed to calm a busy mind by gently guiding you back to yourself. We get curious about how each new breath creates space for new awareness by bringing us back to the present moment. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.

This meditation is recommended for ages 8+ and is designed to help calm and centre young performers before an audition or self-tape. Parents and Guardians are encouraged to listen to this meditation along with their child. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.

This is the thirteenth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This 18 minute meditation is designed to help with envy. Feelings of envy or jealousy can come up a lot when you're an actor or performer but it's usually just a sign that you care deeply about something. In small doses envy can actually motivate us to move towards what we want. With conscious awareness we can use this energy of envy to help us to move forward. And that's what this meditation is all about.

This is the twelfth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. In this meditation we get curious about what choice means for you as an actor or performer. We also explore where we make choices from and how just by choosing to listen to ourselves we are much more able to honour what's really important to us.

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast with Ilayda Arden, we're talking to Tommy Jessop. Tommy is the first actor with Down Syndrome to play the lead in a primetime TV drama, he's also been in Line of Duty and is the first actor with Down Syndrome to be professionally cast as Hamlet, and become a full voting member of BAFTA.

This is the eleventh of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. In this meditation you will be guided by Presence and Impact Coach, Su Mee Tan. Some of you will know Su Mee from our regular Powerful Pause meditation sessions. In this 20 minute meditation, Su Mee invites you to connect to the full range of who you are and to get curious about who you are when you give yourself full permission to show up, and to be everything that you are. We recommend listening to this meditation with Headphones.  

This is the tenth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This 30 minute meditation is designed to help you to grow and expand your creativity through connecting with the breath and the body. We'll also get curious about the range of our creativity and how this can be expanded by the connection we have with ourselves. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we speak to Aisling Groves-McKeown and Emma Read, members of the five-star, award winning, all female, improvised musical comedy: Notflix the Musical.

This is the ninth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This slightly longer (25 minute) meditation is designed to get out of your head and into your body which is one of the key steps to feeling more calm and grounded. We also take a little bit of time to reflect on the gifts that can come from adversity and how this can expand our range. We recommend listening to this meditation with headphones.

This is the eighth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This 15-minute meditation may be helpful to listen to after an audition to help you to develop a positive post-audition mindset.

Aitch (they/them) is an actor, singer, and trans inclusivity consultant in the performing arts. In this episode we cover some of the basic definitions and language used when talking about gender constructs and challenging them. We also discuss the importance of the arts in driving social change and what the industry can do to be more aware and inclusive when it comes to transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming performers.

This is the seventh of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This 12 minute guided visualisation featured in our Taming the Parrot workshop and is designed to help you to tap into the part of you that simply ‘knows'.

This is the sixth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. If you're feeling like you need to take some time out to pause and reset, Bea (Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager) has recorded this 20-minute meditation for you to listen to at your own leisure.

We're joined by Kevin Grogan, the triple threat performer behind the smash-hit drag queen persona, Veronica Green, from RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

If you’re feeling like you need to take some time for yourself to pause and reset, this 20-minute reignite meditation session run by Spotlight Mental Heath and Wellbeing Manager, Bea Grist is perfect for you.

We speak to Dave Hearn. Dave is an actor and co-founder of Olivier Award winning theatre company, Mischief Theatre, who you might know from their smash hits, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Play About a Bank Robbery and now, The Goes Wrong Show on the BBC. 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. We also chat about the teething pains of trying to make your own work as a performer, and how Dave kept going when he thought about giving it all up. 

If you’re feeling like you need to take some time for yourself to pause and reset, this 20-minute meditation session run by Spotlight Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, Bea Grist is perfect for you. 

We're joined by 13-year-old Emmy Award-winning actor Billy Barratt, his mum Carolyn Owlett and Casting Director Daniel Edwards CDG to talk about casting and acting for screen.

In this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, we focus on self-care including tips for managing anxiety and stress. We're joined by Bea Grist, Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager who shares practical self-care tips and information about you can sign up to the wellbeing programme, which is now available to members.

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we chat to Jamie and Hannah from Spotlight's Membership Support Team to get their advice about the industry and how to make the most of your membership. Spotlight's membership Support team is based in the UK and Ireland and are here to give you advice and reassurance should you ever need it. Whether you have a question about agents, the casting industry or about your Spotlight membership, these are the lovely people who can help you. We caught up with Jamie and Hannah to answer some of the most common queries they receive.

In this episode of the Spotlight podcast, we talk to playwright Ella Hickson and director Natalie Abrahami about collaboration in theatre. Natalie and Ella have worked on hugely successful projects together including Anna at the National Theatre and the upcoming Swive (Elizabeth) at The Globe. In this podcast they chat to us about working in theatre, their continued collaboration and what they look for in actors. We also hear tips for writing or directing your own work and their advice for actors auditioning for theatre. If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com. For more general industry information, tips and advice, check out our News & Advice pages. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter.

On today's episode, we chat to Barely Methodical Troupe's Beren D’Amico, Louis Gift and Charlie Wheeler about their production of Bromance.   Three friends came together to create a unique circus-theatre experience. They explain how their love of physical theatre, acrobatics and dance helped them develop their piece. We discuss the central themes of male friendship and comedy, the challenges of taking a show to the Fringe plus a regime for staying at the top of your physical and mental game during the run of a very demanding show. And yes, it might involve a spa! If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com. For more general industry info, tips and advice, check out our News & Advice pages. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter

On today's episode, we chat to Sadie Clark ‘Algorithms’ Isabelle Kabban ‘LOVE (Watching Madness)’ and Katie Guicciardi (‘Fox’) about their respective solo Edinburgh shows. Going it alone means doing absolutely everything yourself: writing, performing, venue research, getting the right time slot, promotion and money. When also featuring very personal stories focusing on sexuality, relationships and motherhood how do you then deal with feedback and critics? And what’s your self-care plan when the pressure is all on you? If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com. For more general industry info, tips and advice, check out Spotlight's News & Advice pages. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter!

On today's episode, we chat to our Young Performers Consultant, Ellie Samuels, about whether or not it is ever beneficial to list more than one agent on your profile. Young Performers need an agent to sign up for Spotlight, but what could more than one agent offer, if anything? What are the pros and cons? Ellie talks us through it.  If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com or contact Ellie on ellie.samuels@spotlight.com. Find out more great advice for young performers on our website. For more general industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter!   

In the first of our Edinburgh special podcasts, we sat down with theatre producer Francesca Moody. Francesca has produced theatre in London, Edinburgh, on tour in the UK and internationally. She is the original producer of the multi-award-winning and Olivier nominated Fleabag by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, which she has presented in Edinburgh, at Soho Theatre on UK tours and internationally in South Korea and Australia and most recently New York for DryWrite.Francesca is also the former Producer of British New-Writing theatre company Paines Plough where she worked on plays by the UK’s leading playwrights including Dennis Kelly, Duncan Macmillan and Kate Tempest. In this episode, we talk about how she chooses her projects, what skills make for a good producer, and tips about taking a show to the Fringe, amongst many other things!  If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an upcoming podcast, drop us an email at questions@spotlight.com or reach out to us on Twitter. 

In this episode, Christina talks to Michelle Kirby of Daisy and Dukes Agency, along with the parent of a performer she represents, Diane Zetterstrom. Diane's son Oliver is a young performer on Spotlight, exploring his passion for performing. We chat through how parents and agents can form a good relationship, the ins and outs parents should be aware of in the industry, and how to work with the service provided by Spotlight. If you have questions about this episode or something you'd like us to discuss in a future episode, send us an email at questions@spotlight.com. 

Spotlight talks to Kickstarter's Gemma Seltzer all about how you as a creative can turn your vision into reality. Create your own work by getting the money you need, using crowdfunding. We talk about what projects work well on crowdfunding platforms, how to make sure your project stands out, what you'll need to think about and prepare to succeed in your funding efforts, and lots more.  Gemma not only works with artists at Kickstarter, but also previously worked at Arts Council England and runs the Write and Shine early morning writing sessions.  Read more on Kickstarter at their website and check out their Creator Handbook as a great place to start with your own project funding. Gemma also mentions a great resource called A Creative Person's Guide to Thoughtful Promotion. Got more questions you want answered in an upcoming podcast? Email us at questions@spotlight.com. Find Gemma on Twitter @gemseltz. 

Today's episode is all about your rights and duties as a freelance worker! This includes all the essentials you should know about working rights in the UK, taxation, contracts, and much, much more. Talking to Spotlight we have Alan Lean and Stephen Duncan-Rice from Equity, who give us the lowdown on everything a self-employed performer needs to navigate the (less than fun, but super important) legal stuff on the job.  Thank you to everyone who sent us their questions!  We have way more information on our website on being self-employed and on all the legal/financial things you should know as a performer. 

On this big episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we discuss safety, harassment and bullying in our industry. Joining us, we have Maureen Beattie, performer and President of Equity, Wendy Spon, CDG and former Head of Casting for the National Theatre, and Ita O'Brien, Intimacy and Movement Coordinator who has recently worked on Gentleman Jack and Sex Education for Netflix.  This is such a huge topic for the industry, and we talk about a variety of layers within it - from the nature of acting as a profession, to the culture on set and in the audition room, to wider concerns around what is asked for and when, as well as the more detailed aspects of performing an intimate scene.  We want to warn listeners that some potentially triggering language is used in this podcast.  Take a look here for more information on the discussion: Equity's Safe Spaces Campaign Equity's Agenda for Change report Equity's Harassment Helpline Ita O'Brien's Intimacy on Set Guidelines If you have questions about this podcast, drop us an email to questions@spotlight.com. For more information, take a look at our News and Advice section, and our guide to auditioning safely. 

In this episode of the Spotlight podcast, we're joined by casting director Verity Naughton, CDG. We talk all about young performer casting, including... Headshots, profiles and what you should and should not include on your CV; How casting works, Verity's process and what stands out to her; Lots of practical tips and hints for preparing for your next audition; What's expected in the audition room - what to wear, knowing your lines, and lots more; Other advice for navigating the industry more broadly. It's a super practical episode with tonnes of advice for performers and their parents alike. For much more information for younger performers, take a look at our website.  Got more questions you want answered in an upcoming episode? Send them to questions@spotlight.com. 

Happy Pride Month! In this special episode, we talk to filmmaker Simon Wegrzyn on telling LGBTQ+ stories on screen. Simon talks us through his experience as an actor and director, and we delve into some of the pressing issues facing performers who are also members of the LGBTQ+ community.  Simon mentions his website in the podcast, as well as the resource Film Freeway. You can watch his film Hold Hands or Hide on Amazon Prime.  For more discussions about diversity and inclusivity in the industry, take a look at our website. 

Spotlight talks to Equity's Addam Merali-Younger on mental health support for performers. Addam is Equity's Bullying, Harassment and Mental Health Assistant. He mans the Equity hotline, where he answers performer concerns.  If you are looking for support, take a look at Equity's mental health and wellness resources online, or call Addam on the Bullying and Harassment Helpline on 020 7670 0268, or send an email to harassment@equity.org.uk. Details about the drop in sessions at the Actor's Centre are here. You can also access wellbeing support via ArtsMinds, or the Samaritans on 116 123.  Addam also mentions the Safe Spaces Campaign, and the Affirmation being promoted by Equity for use in all rehearsals or production spaces.  Keep an eye out on our website for more mental health information and advice specifically for actors this Mental Health Awareness Week. 

This episode of the Spotlight podcast, we talk to Kerry Ryan, founder of Write Like A Grrrl, on how to start writing. A note: it's actually triple-r, not double-r as stated in the intro! Kerry talks to us about overcoming writing obstacles, how to practically get started, developing character and dialogue, when to get feedback, and loads more. We also answer some of your questions - thank you to everyone who sent questions in! Read more of our best writing advice, or check out all of our advice for getting started in the entertainment industry, as well as all of our news and advice. If you want to ask a question for a future episode, drop us an email at questions@spotlight.com. Connect with us on Twitter @SpotlightUk or @christinacare.     

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast we talk to Nina Zendejas, an international voice coach specialising in accent and dialect, and native to the United States. Currently working as the Head of Voice at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts (MT) in London, she is also a voice-over artist (represented by Wisebuddah), and freelance production coach. Nina talks to us all about experimenting and creating characters with your voice, dealing with accent changes (especially for an audition!), improving your Received Pronunciation and General American accents, and how to get the most out of your voice long term.   It's a super fun and practical episode with a lot of great information and some exercises you can try yourself at home. Take a listen! Find more great info on voice, and for all other advice to do with mastering your acting craft and navigating the industry, take a look at our News & Advice. 

This episode we are talking all about Commercial Castings. Joining us is Alex Wheeler, who works at the award-winning Martin Gibbons Casting. We talk about how commercial projects come about, the timescales behind them, some real no-nos for the audition room and even the controversial topic of 'pencilling'... Take a listen!  Find lots more about auditions on our site, and lots more advice from casting professionals. 

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we talk to Sarah Thurstan, a performer and co-founder of Performance Link. She took over the company in 2000 and now runs it herself alongside acting work. Sarah talks to us about how she figured out the essential skills actors are taught that they can pass on to others, and how having a side hustle helps with security as an actor in the long run.  You can read more about Performance Link online, and see more great advice for making the most of your career in the performing arts on our site. 

The PappyShow talk to us about their upcoming run at the VAULT Festival, their unique approach to theatre-making, the importance of safety, inclusivity and diversity in their work, and how to navigate an industry where creativity isn't always paid for... This episode features Kane Husbands, Sam Hardie, Eddie-Joe Robinson, Ursula Mohan, and Aaron Gordon. They perform, create and share roles across their three shows, BOYS, GIRLS and CARE. The PappyShow create ensemble-led devised theatre work. They offer workshops and training in physical theatre, using this to devise and create work. In their own words: "We believe that having a space to play, devise and fail improves us as performers and informs the way we approach our work." If you're interested in seeing their fantastic work, you can book tickets here. Read more advice about making work for yourself, and more information about theatre in particular. For more industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice