The Spotlight Podcast

We talk about casting and auditions for TV and film with 13-year-old Emmy Award-winning actor Billy Barratt, his mum, performer Carolyn Owlett and Casting Director Daniel Edwards CDG. Billy and Daniel worked together on Responsible Child for the BBC and talk about the process of casting through to filming of the production. Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spotify, App...

We're joined by mental health and well-being expert, Bea Grist, to focus on self-care for performers. Bea shares tips for managing anxiety and stress as well as practical self-care advice. 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, w...

We talk to playwright Ella Hickson and director Natalie Abrahami about collaboration in theatre 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. 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...

We chat with Barely Methodical Troupe's Beren D’Amico, Louis Gift and Charlie Wheeler about their unique circus-theatre production, 'Bromance'. 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. Never miss an episode - subscribe to T...

We chat with Sadie Clark, Isabelle Kabban and Katie Guicciardi about their respective solo Edinburgh Fringe shows. Going it alone means doing 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...

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.  Never miss an episode - subscribe to The Spotlight Podcast on Spo...

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 Ko...

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 ser...

Spotlight talks to Kickstarter's Gemma Seltzer 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...

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) le...

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 fo...

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...

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 A...

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,...

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...

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 cr...

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 ca...

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 ,...

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...

We talk to the inimitable Esta Charkham. Esta has been an agent, a casting director, an actress, a TV producer and teacher for many years. Her work with young people is exceptional. In this episode of the podcast, we talk through all the different hats Esta has worn in her career, how you can use your skills across industry disciplines, the best skills to cultivate, how to give yourself the best s...

We discuss all the essentials for any actor looking to inject some new life into their career. Spotlight's Performer Careers Consultant Emma Dyson brings her wealth of experience in guiding and advising actors in making good career choices, to help us answer this question. We cover headshots, showreels, making the most of your acting CV, setting goals and understanding your Unique Selling Point. E...

Do you have a showreel attached to your acting profile? You need one! In this mini episode of the Spotlight podcast, we discuss what you need to include to have the best shot at getting your next acting gig. Here's what you need to know to separate our your footage and put together your showreel (or 'demo reel' as it's known in the US!).  Our Audio-Visual Specialist Nicholas Peel is on hand to hel...

If you're a younger performer or a parent of a young performer, what are your rights on a job? What pay are you entitled to? And why do you need a licence to work? In this episode, we talk to Lucy Jones, the Child Employment Officer at the London Borough of Bromley and Secretary of the National Network for Children in Employment and Entertainment as well as Claire Hood, from Equity, who has been w...

Got an audition to prepare for? Does it require you to learn a new accent? This is the podcast to answer your accent qualms, featuring Josh Mathieson, a voice and accent coach and director who is the Head of Voice and Co-Vice Principal at  theMTA , a voice teacher at the Independent Centre for Actor Training ( ICAT)  and a Voice and Acting Tutor at  The Centre PAC .  Josh talks to us about what ac...

The headshot is vital for every actor but what kind of photos make for the best first impression? In this mini-edition of the Spotlight Podcast, we discuss what makes for a good photo to include on your acting CV, what to consider when you're selecting, including the importance of professional photos, how to make your Spotlight profile the best it can be, and some of the real no-gos. Our Head of P...